Ramsgate 2-0 Ashford United
In undoubtedly the biggest match of the day in the Isthmian South-East top of the table Rams took on second placed Ashford United in front of a huge crowd of 845 at the WW Martin Community Stadium.
The game kicked off at a frenetic pace with both teams playing with full commitment trying to get a foot on the ball and it was Ramsgate who had the first shot on goal as Ashley Miller found space and shot but the effort didn’t trouble the keeper.
in the 7th minute a huge moment of controversy as the ball was played through from Ramadan to Lawson who looked miles offside but the Ashford midfielder played to the whistle and slotted the ball past Bexon. Huge protests ensued from the Ramsgate players but the goal stood and it was 0-1.
Ashford had their tails up now and were looking the more confident side as Gil Carhalho smashed an effort at goal which forced Bexon into a smart save tipping the ball wide.
Bexon was needed again in the 26th minute as Muggeridge lined up from distance and hit and fierce dipping shot that the Rams number 1 had to tip over the bar.
Ramsgate gradually grew into the game getting into some good areas on the right and forcing a couple of corners and it was from a wide area the equaliser arrived. The ball was played to Aboagye in a wide right position and he delivered a lovely bending cross into the box which found Rowland who powered a header past Ohman to level the scores in the 36th minute.
Four minutes later and Ramsgate had the lead, Jadama with some magic to get away from two players hit a fierce shot from the edge of the area that Ohman could only parry straight out to Rowland and the Rams striker made no mistake to smash home to make sure Ramsgate went into the break 2-1 up.
Straight after the restart and Ashford were level as former Rams defender Liam Friend flicked on a throw in and Ajaya was there to scramble to ball home 2-2.
This was now a game both sides thought they could win and the tempo was frantic with midfields scrapping for possession but neither side creating anything clear cut.
Then in the 72nd minute a ball into the Ashford box was half cleared, Ajayi headed it back across goal where Rowland on a hat trick tried to convert, the ball found its way to Paxman who spinning and off balance managed to get his shot away and put the Rams into the lead. The roar from behind the goal was the loudest heard at Southwood for a while.
Ashford now went into very direct play trying desperately to get the ball into target man Lockyer and feed off the second balls but Ramsgate were still full of energy winning their battles and forcing Ashford away from goal.
Into the 90th minute and the referee somehow decided to add on six additional minutes which was greeted by an audible groan from the Rams faithful. In the 5th of these added minutes an altercation between Ohman in the Ashford goal and Ajayi saw the Ramsgate man sent off for kicking out at the keeper.
Finally after what ended up being eight minutes of additional time the referee blew the full time whistle and a jubilant Rams celebrated an important victory.
Player of the match- Kane Rowland
