Kentish Football 
We haven't got the resources to delve into transfer market, says Ramsgate boss Jim Ward
Monday 28th March 2011
RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward says he has ruled out his chances of grabbing a place in the Ryman League Division One South play-off’s at the end of the season, writes Stephen McCartney.
Ward points to an injury crisis for the main reason why his side can’t grab that final play-off berth, occupied by Burgess Hill, who are five points clear of the Rams, who sit in eighth place in the table with 52 points from 36 games.
Merstham, who are managed by former Tonbridge Angels and Maidstone United striker, Welshman, Andrew Martin, who was asked to leave the technical area during the first half, impressed the Ramsgate boss.
“Well, I feel a bit for Merstham because they can’t win a game,” said Ward, explaining that Merstham have won only one game since the turn of the year.
“They’ve got some really good players and they’re down the bottom of the league some place and yet they’re as good as everyone else we’ve played recently, except Bognor Regis.
“I think they will get out of trouble, they’re a good side.”
Ramsgate clinched their fourteenth league win of the season, thanks to a couple of “quality” goals during the first half from Liam Quinn and James Gregory.
“We scored some quality goals, real quality, something we worked on in training,” said Ward.
“We’ve always worked on set-pieces at Ramsgate. We had another couple of half chances from set-pieces as well. I’m pleased that everything’s coming off.”
Ramsgate travel to thirteenth-placed Godlaming Town on Tuesday night and then travel to second-from-bottom side Corinthian-Casuals, looking to help out a couple of struggling Kent clubs.
“Again, we played Godalming the other week and I thought they were a decent team,” recalled the Scot.
“We played them when they won five games in a row and we beat them, a bit fortunate to beat them, but we beat them.
“We go to them and it will be difficult Tuesday night, really difficult as we’re down to the bare bones. I’ve had to start the last two games with the same starting eleven.”
With Horsham YMCA favourites to finish the campaign at the foot of the table, Corinthian-Casuals have picked up 32 points from 35 games and above the relegation zone comes Chatham Town (33 points from 36 games) and Whitstable Town (36 from 36).
The Ramsgate boss insists he will do everything to ensure his two Kent rivals retain their Ryman League status.
He said: “Listen, I’m only concerned about Ramsgate Football Club, but at the end of the day on a purely selfish point of view, if we don’t get promoted I want to play Chatham and Whitstable in my division because for my chairman they’re big games in our division.
“The first thing on my mind is to get three points, but if I can help (Chatham manager) Paul Foley and (Whitstable manager) Peter Nott, then good.”
Ramsgate then complete their league campaign with games against Whitehawk, Worthing, Whitstable Town and Burgess Hill Town and Ward ruled out his side’s play-off chances.
“We’ll run out of games. We only have to make one mistake and we’re done for,” he warned.
“I can’t see it. People keep talking about play-off’s, but we’re only one injury away from being a man short and there’s no sign of the lads’ coming back from injury, so it’s very difficult, very difficult.”
Ward added: “We’ve got a massive game Tuesday and a massive game Saturday. But if we win Tuesday people can start getting their calculators out but Tuesday is very difficult.
With transfer deadline day arriving on Thursday, Ward says his hands are tied when it comes to delving into the transfer market.
Ward added: “I’d like to get players in but we haven’t got the resources. You’ve only got what you’ve got and this modern day it’s very tight. We’re pleased with what we’ve got.”
Visit Ramsgate’s website: www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk
Godalming Town v Ramsgate
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 29th March 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Wey Court, Mead Row, Godalming, Surrey GU7 3JE
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd