We have to make a dent in our neighbours' aspirations, says Ramsgate boss Jim Ward

RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward says his side face a big week as they aim to lift themselves up the league table, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Rams sit in tenth place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with five wins and three draws from thirteen league outings.

They welcome fourth placed Folkestone Invicta to Southwood Stadium on Tuesday night, before travelling to second placed Maidstone United on Saturday and maximum points against their Kent rivals will put the club in a healthy position.

Ramsgate were without a game at the weekend due to their early exit in the FA Carlsberg Trophy, so Ward put his players’ through their paces ahead of their make-or-break week.

“We trained hard Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday because we’ve got a massive week coming up,” said Ward.

“We’ve got Neil Cugley’s Folkestone tomorrow night and then Jay Saunders’ Maidstone on Saturday.  Both are flying high.  It’s a big week.  We have to make a dent in their aspirations if we’ve got any thoughts of ourselves being successful, so we have to take points off them.

“That’s what the plan is.  It’s to make a dent in them and help ourselves, so it’s an opportunity to play against two of the top teams and come Saturday night we’ll know more where we are.”

Ward revealed that he goes into November with a trimmed down squad.

He said: “I’ve cut the squad down to fourteen and a couple of under 18’s, goalkeeper and centre forward, so we’ve cut it down but we’re happy to leave it like that.

“We’re down to a fourteen man (first-team) squad and the changing room’s great, it’s superb.”

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

Ramsgate  v  Folkestone Invicta
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 8^th November 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN