We'll be treating Hollands & Blair seriously, says Ramsgate boss Tim Dixon

RAMSGATE boss Tim Dixon says he is taking their Kent Senior Cup tie away to Hollands & Blair seriously.



The Rams face the Kent Invicta League side at Chatham Town’s Maidstone Road ground on Tuesday night hoping to avoid a Second Round exit.

Hollands & Blair have entered the completion after lifting the Kent Senior Trophy last season with a shock win over Sevenoaks Town in the final.

And Dixon, who as Dover Athletic skipper lifted the Kent Senior Cup at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium following their victory over Gravesend & Northfleet back in 1991, is giving Paul Piggott’s side plenty of respect.

Dixon said: “I’ve lifted this trophy myself for Dover in front of 1,000 people at the Rainham Road end at Gilllingham and it was a massive proud moment for me so I give this competition the utmost respect.

“Look at Scott Porter at Hythe last year. He did the same and they went and won it!

“It’s another game for us. That said, I’ve got to look after the players with the really important FA Trophy game away to Sutton United on Saturday so we’ve got a few players carrying injuries so I’ve got to make my mind up with what we’re going to start with tomorrow.

“A few reserves are going to come into the fold to see if they can do themselves justice.”

Hollands & Blair go into the game sitting in third-place in the Kent Invicta League table, with nine wins and two defeats from eleven league games.

And with Hythe Town lifting the silverware against all odds after beating higher-league sides Ebbsfleet United, Dover Athletic and Dartford, the Rams faithful will be praying that they don’t suffer at the hands of Blair on Tuesday night.

The Gillingham-based outfit are seven points behind unbeaten league leaders Phoenix Sports and will be making their Kent Senior Cup debut against the Rams.

“They’re obviously trying to get up the levels of football to another league and getting promotion and they’re doing well in the league this year,” said Dixon.

“I’ve been on their website and they’re calling it “The Big One!” which I totally respect.  We’ll be treating it as seriously as possible. I’m not treating it as a training session or a friendly. It’s a competitive cup match at the end of the day against another Kent team so there’s plenty to play for and I expect my players to go out there and put in a performance.”

When asked what he knows about Paul Piggott’s side, Dixon replied, “I’ve spoken to a couple of people.  I haven’t watched them personally, which I like to do with all the FA Trophy opponents and a few league teams as well. I know a few people in the Kent Invicta League who have told me various things so I know what to look out for.”

But Ramsgate climbed up to eighth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, following their impressive 4-1 home win over previous leaders Crawley Down Gatwick on Saturday.

“Fantastic result and it’s something that we’ve been looking to prove,” said a delighted Dixon.

“Our away form has been exceptional and we’ve had a couple of dodgy results at home so it was a good response.

“They’re a decent side so that was encouraging and also the manner how we won. We created a lot of chances and I’m pleased with the overall performance and the attitude of the players.”

Goals from Tom Chapman, two from striker Ian Pulman and a penalty from long-serving stalwart Warren Schulz ensured the Rams extended their winning run to three games on the spin.

“I just want to keep the momentum going,” said Dixon. “We had a long chat with the lads recently. We’ve had a couple of great wins away to Soham and Horsham and we approach the game on Saturday in a really positive frame of mind and it carried onto the pitch, which was very encouraging.

Ramsgate are now only two points adrift of the play-off zone, which contains Kent rivals Hythe Town (in second-place) and fifth-placed Faversham Town.

Dixon said: “Momentum is something that clubs like Faversham and Hythe have managed to get into their game. As you can see in this league a few decent results propels you from bottom to top so we need to keep that going when we go back to league action next week.”

When asked his opinion as to why the league is so tight this season, the Ramsgate boss said: “I think teams have got stronger.  Look at Maidstone, they’ve finally got themselves to the top of the table and I said that won’t change too much this season, but I look underneath and there’s been some very inconsistent results.

“The only ones that are building momentum go on their runs, look at Hythe and Faversham – they’re going up the table and you look at Folkestone and Crawley Down Gatwick, they’re in some indifferent form and are going the other way!

When asked whether he can predict the top-five at the end of the season, Dixon said: “No chance in doing that!  Everyone knows the favourites for the league (Maidstone United), which they should be but the others it gives us a chance as well. It’s something that I aimed for at the start of the season, to get into the play-offs and I’m sure every other manager in the league will be saying the same thing.”

Dixon was left devastated when defender Luke Wheatley, 21, suffered a broken leg against Crawley Down Gatwick at the weekend.

“He will be out for the rest of the season now, which is a massive blow for us because he was forming a great partnership with Dean Hill,” said Dixon.

“I’ve spoken to Luke and he was really looking forward to the season and was going to play a massive part to play but that’s been taken away from him now and he’s just got to remain as positive as he can.

“It’s a massive blow and it does have an impact on everything you do in day to day life. He’s had a lot of good will messages from people. Justin Luchford at Whitstable texted us and asked me to pass on the best from their setup, which is well appreciated.

“He’s held in very high regard.  He’s come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. I’m sure he will come back to where he wants to be in the next couple of seasons.”

Meanwhile, Hollands & Blair have confirmed the admission prices for Tuesday night’s Cup tie - £8 (adults) and £4 (concessions), which includes a matchday programme.

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

Hollands & Blair  v  Ramsgate
Kent Senior Cup sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com Second Round
Tuesday 6^th November 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6LR