We won't be taking any prisioners over the festive period, says Ward

Monday 21st December 2009

RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward says Saturday’s postponed game away to Fleet Town was a blessing in disguise, writes Stephen McCartney.

Sam Jones (flu), Ben Laslett (back) and Warren Schulz (shoulder) would have all missed the sixth-versus-seventh Ryman League Division One South clash at Calthorpe Park on Saturday, although most games were frozen off.

And Ward, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight said, “We’re one of the form teams in our division and we were really, really looking forward to going down to Fleet Town, and now we’ve got to wait to Tuesday night, on the 23rd February, to go down there and take them on.

“But at the end of the day I had three people who were really struggling on Saturday, three big players for me and I don’t think any of the three would have played, so in one way it was disappointing you’re going so well but in another way you can’t afford to be without those three players.”

Ramsgate are now in seventh place in the table, courtesy of six wins and a draw in their last eight games, but picking up a good points haul over the festive period is the target now.

Ramsgate’s next three games are against two Kent sides that are struggling in and around the relegation zone.

First up are Whitstable Town on Boxing Day (1pm), a side that are third-from-bottom, just one place and one point above the drop zone.

Then, Ramsgate travel to play an Ashford Town at Homelands Stadium on Tuesday, 29th December, a side that are at the foot of the table, and then Ward takes his side to Whitstable for the swift return fixture on 2nd January.

“Very difficult, local derbies,” warned Ward. “You have to remember Whitstable Town are completely full of my players, at least five, six, seven players have gone across there, who no doubt want to prove me wrong.

“The two forwards, (Stuart) Vahid and (Dave) Cory have both won things for Ramsgate Football Club and now they’re at a different club and they certainly want to be proving me wrong.”

Reflecting on his side’s good run of form, Ward added: “Had we started the season at the start of October we would probably have been top or just about top with Folkestone and Worthing.

“We feel that we’re on a great run at the moment, although it would have been a massive game going down to Fleet. I don’t think the top five will be decided on them sort of games, it’s decided on how you do against the bottom teams.”

But good performances during the festive period will certainly set the Rams up for the remainder of the season, as they bid to clinch a play-off berth at the end of the season, following a depressing relegation last season.

“A couple of games ago we were looking at a six-game period from the Fleet game and I said to the players if their going to be contenders for the play-off’s we’ve got to get 14 points.

“Although expectations are high, because we’re playing teams regardless who you are at the bottom of the division we mustn’t be letting down our mettle.

“It’s an opportunity to go forward, but we mustn’t underestimate either Ashford or Whitstable Town. Those two wouldn’t want to end up in the Kent League.”

What is evident, however, is no-one likes seeing Kent sides struggling, and Ward is even golfing buddies with both managers at Whitstable Town (Mark Munday) and Ashford's Steve Lovell.

Ward said: “Saturday, Tuesday and Saturday will be massive games for the three clubs involved, Whitstable, Ashford and us. If we want to get to where we want to, we must get 7-9 points out of those games.

“Both of them are good golfing buddies of mine as well. Both played in my Ramsgate golf day, we’re good friends so we’ll have a bottle of beer after the game, but we won’t be certainly taking any prisoners during the game.”

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

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Ramsgate v Whitstable Town

Ryman League Division One South

Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December 2009

Kick Off 1:00pm

At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN