We have to be on top of our game to sink Swans, says Ward - EXCLUSIVE

Wednesday 02nd January 2008

Ramsgate manager Jim Ward reflects on the Christmas period with a sense of pride, having avoided defeat against AFC Wimbledon and Margate – two sides that will be challenging his men, come the end of the season, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Ryman League fixture list wasn’t too kind for the Rams this year, but Ward admitted that he was pleased to remain unbeaten over the festive programme.

Despite suffering from a sore throat, Ward, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, said: “Well, did anyone have any tougher games than us?

“We played Hornchurch, AFC Wimbledon, Margate and then Folkestone, who are one of the form teams and nobody beat us. We got three draws and a win - we got 6 points out of 12.

“How many people draw with Wimbledon and then Margate? They’re the two big ones!

“They might end up good points at the end of the season and they were two games that we could have won.”

Looking ahead to a busy month, Ward takes his side to highly-rated outfit Staines Town on Saturday – looking to avoid a second defeat.

The Swans are the only side to win a Ryman Premier League game at fortress Southwood Stadium this season.

“They’re one of the teams who are going to be around the top five so if we can do them some damage on Saturday, I’ll be more than delighted,” said Ward.

“They beat us at home 1-0 and it was a bit of a dull game, so we have to be right on it Saturday.”

Ollie Schulz returns due to missing the 2-1 win over Folkestone Invicta last Saturday through sickness.

And Ward expects to keep the defender after his trial at Blue Square Premier Stevenage Borough came to nothing.

“Ollie went to Stevenage but nothing came off it,” explained Ward. “They haven’t been in touch.

“I spoke to Steve Butler who wanted to give Ollie a trial. We know the lad wants to progress.

“He trained for two days and played in a match against Barnet reserves and they reckon he was as good as they’ve got there but not fit – it all depends how fit he wants to get himself.”

The player will therefore remain at Ramsgate “unless a bigger club comes in” during the January transfer window.

Visit Ramsgate’s website: www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

Staines Town v Ramsgate
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 5^th January 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Wheatsheaf Park, Wheatsheaf Lane, Staines, Middlesex, TW18 2PD