We're on a bit of a learning curve, says Ramsgate boss Jim Ward

JIM WARD left Bourne Park on Saturday night after seeing his Ramsgate side lose 4-1 to the Ryman League Division One South leaders Maidstone United, writes Mike Green.


After a scoreline like that, you could have been forgiven that the manager of the beaten side would be fuming and raging with his side’s performance. 

But on Saturday, the Rams had every right to be aggrieved at leaving Bourne Park after playing their part in a truly entertaining Kent derby which for an hour could literally have gone either way.
 
Speaking after the final whistle, the canny Scot was spot on with his summing up of the game. 

"We had a lot of chances to win actually win the game," he said.  "They created a lot of chances after they went 4-1 up which they were entitled to especially when we had a man sent off for what was nothing more than a shoulder charge which was just ridiculous.  They're a big strong side and have spent their money very wisely.
 
“But how did we play?  Well all I know is that Ian Pulman had one, two, three, maybe four great one against ones and perhaps should have played a couple of people in - scored a great goal, but we can’t expect to win every game 5-4. 

“The four goals that we gave away there were reasons for the four of them, and I'm disappointed with our defending as our defending has been excellent for the last four of five weeks, but four goals against today...  we'll look at the video and itemise them, we know that they're poor goals - we know that they are! 

“But we've come here - they're probably one of the if not the favourites to win the league; they're flying after winning 12 out of 13 I think it is, but they wouldn't want to play us every week that I do know. 

“We knew the way that they play, and whilst I can’t be pleased with the way that we played but we're definitely disappointed."
 
Indeed for the uncommitted in the 484 crowd (incidentally the Stones highest home gate of the season so far), it was a derby that had everything, yet sadly as far as the Rams were concerned one of their chief villains on the day was also one of the best players on  the pitch! 

Recently signed from Eastbourne Borough and of course needing no introduction to Kent football fans following two successful spells at Whitstable Town, Pulman was a constant threat to the Stones defence and but for a series of outstanding blocks from keeper Kelvin Jack and skipper Graeme Andrews, the scoreline - particularly in an incredible spell ten minutes after half time - could have been so different! 

A reflective Ward admitted, "I cant be disappointed with Ian the way he played on Saturday - that's exactly why we got him in - to be in those positions to put chances like that away.  On another day he does get more than one. 

“Considering he hasn’t played for a while and was still that lively, how can I possibly be disappointed with him - disappointed for me yes, but he was magnificent on Saturday, and I cant ask too much more of him that that!"
 
Two former Ward players starred for the home side - a point that didn't escape the Rams boss when he was quizzed on the fact that despite his side going in 1-3 behind, the could actually have gone in at least on level terms. 

He said, "I really didn’t think that we deserved to go in getting beat, but goals change football matches.  I'd like to say that they three goals were schoolboy’s errors and in truth they perhaps were.  But (Shaun) Welford ran his socks off as he’s entitled to against me, and Michael Phillips another one of my ex-players ran his socks of as well.  

“I've told my players that we don't lose points for losing, so we've just to regroup again and go for the League Cup on Wednesday and see how we do, and we'll build again. 

“We're on a bit of learning curve after letting a few players go - I've got a skinny squad but we're OK.
 
"We try to play good football and we've got pace to with Pascal (Ebigbo) who had better days than he did on Saturday.  When he was on fire he turned and he twisted but we didn’t get anything out of it - (Ben) Laslett and (Simon) Pettit don’t know any more other than how to pass the ball as does Warren Schulz when he came on as well. 

“When we read the paper Sunday morning or kentishfootball we know that we didn’t deserve to get beat 4-1 - it won’t help to ease the disappointment. 

“Whilst Jay (Saunders, the Maidstone United manager) may or not agree with me, he's got the three points and that’s what wins leagues!  I've done it myself - you know it used to be lucky old Arsenal winning every game 1-0; but that wasn't luck - they were great, they got their goal and they know how to defend and that was that as they shut up shop."
 
Finally Ward turned his attention to the Ryman League Cup and the Rams midweek Third Round clash. 

"We've got Chipstead on Wednesday night in the League Cup and if we win that we'll go into the Quarter Finals - and of course we won the competition three years ago (and remain the only Kent side ever to win the competition) - we'll have a couple of the young lads playing on Wednesday."
 
And with that he was gone no doubt still rueing the missed chances, but on the other hand knowing that if his side continues to perform like they did against a very good side at the weekend, come the end of the Ryman League Division One South season in April, Ramsgate won’t be too far away in the final standings...  And who know Ward may also lead his side to a second League Cup triumph as well!

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

Ramsgate  v  Chipstead
Ryman League Cup Third Round
Wednesday 16^th November 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN