Ramsgate 4-3 Tonbridge Angels
Ramsgate took on Tonbridge Angels of the National League South in this Kent Senior Cup quarter final knowing a semi final away to Margate was the prize for the winner.
Manager Jamie Coyle made eight changes to his starting line up with only Josh Bexon, Denzelle Olopade and Gil Carvalho retaining their places from Saturdays 5-0 victory over East Grinstead. Named in the squad for the first time were under 18’s players Jack Robbens and Manny Cuttress.
The match started with Tonbridge on the front foot as Ramsgate stood off their higher league opponents possibly giving them too much respect early on and on three minutes Ben Fitchett and to launch into a lunging tackle to stop Tommy Wood running in on goal for the visitors.
On 11 minutes Ramsgate had their first shot on goal but Kane Rowland dragged his shot wide without testing the keeper.
Four minutes later and it was the away side that took the lead as Jordan Greenidge got free in the box and powered a left footed drive past Bexon at the near post.
Two minutes later and Tonbridge had the ball in the back of the net again as Greenidge headed home a cross at the far post but this time the assistant referees flag saved the home side and the score remained 0-1.
On 24 minutes the Rams were level as Emptage found space on the right and bent in a delicious cross to Carvalho who converted brilliantly to score his fifth goal in ten games.
Rams were now on top and playing some lovely football through the midfield trio of Riley-Snow, Olapade and Prescott but without creating a clear cut opening.
As we approached half time Callum Emptage went down with what looked like an ankle injury and had to be replaced by Jack Paxman.
Then on 44 minutes Rams won a free kick wide on the right and Prescott whipped in a delightful ball into the box which was met by the left foot of Rowland who made no mistake from six yards and the hosts led 2-1 going into the break.
Into the second half and Tonbridge were now the ones pressing, firstly Bexon did well to come out his area and clear a through ball and then Tommy Wood shot over from an acute angle.
The pressure did tell in the 54th minute though as a scramble in the box left the ball to fall to youngster Fyn Rutherford who curled the ball into the top corner to restore parity.
The visitors had the lead on the hour mark as a Tonbridge player ran at Takaloo and the Ramsgate man dangled out a leg to give away a penalty. Tommy Wood stepped up and sent Bexon the wrong way to make it 2-3.
Then on 67 minutes an absolute bit of inspiration from Riley-Snow as he picked up the ball 30 yards out and hit an unstoppable thunderbolt into the bottom corner to make it 3-3.
Rams were now buzzing around and good pressing of the keeper by Osinfolarin forced a poor pass out which was intercepted and played into Rowland who side footed home to give the home side the lead.
Tonbridge tried to respond straight away but Bexon was equal to an effort at his near post and Ramsgate managed to see out the rest of the game comfortably to secure their semi final spot.
Player Of The Match- Lee Prescott
