Ramsgate maintained their 100% winning run to start the league season with a hard fought 1-0 win away at Steyning Town. The Rams made one change from the team that thrashed Sheppey United 5-0 on Saturday, with Lee Martin coming in for Roarie Deacon in midfield.
The Rams picked up where they left off from Saturday early on, starting quickly and on the front foot – keeping possession at will. Joe Taylor couldn’t quite get his shot on goal after a quick throw by Alfie Paxman on five minutes, before Steyning goalkeeper Nathan Stroomberg-Clarke did well to claw away a wayward backpass three minutes later. Jay Leader then headed the resulting corner wide as the visitors continued to dominate.
There was no letup for the home side – and Benny Bioletti was found after a great pass over the top from Lewis Gard in the 15th minute, but his shot was well saved by Stroomberg-Clarke. Bioletti looked to be tripped in the buildup, but no penalty was given.
Lee Martin was the next to go close, playing a one-two with Taylor before firing over from the edge of the box. Taylor then turned provider for Tom Clifford to shoot over from 10 yards before the Rams’ number 9 had a shot go just wide after Steyning failed to clear. Despite the relentless pressure, the score remained goalless at the break.
The visitors began to grow into the game in the second half, pressing further up the pitch and causing problems for the Rams in the process. On 51 minutes Lloyd Francis had a shot well saved by Rams keeper Tom Hadler, but the away side managed to find the opening goal eight minutes later. A corner from the right was clipped into the box by Martin, and Jay Leader’s downward header was diverted into the back of the net by TJ Jadama for his fourth goal of the season.
Steyning responded well to the goal, with their press continuing to result in openings for them. Aaron Barnes looked to be fouled in the centre circle, but referee Shelby Elson waved play on – leading to Harry Shooman shooting wide from the left side of the penalty area. Jack Barnes was the next to go close for the Barrowmen, side-footing wide from 15 yards out after Leader’s pass across the backline was intercepted.
Ramsgate had a chance to make the points safe three minutes from time. Taylor laid the ball off to substitute Josh Ajayi, but his shot was straight at Stroomberg-Clarke. The home team continued to press for an equaliser though, with Charlie Meehan shooting wide before they missed a glorious chance to equalise on 89 minutes. Hadler saved well from Alfie Rogers, before Francis shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Deep into injury time, Steyning substitute Billy Fuller was shown a straight red card for throwing a punch at Lee Martin – leaving the referee little alternative.
Despite riding their luck at times against a relentless press, Ramsgate saw the game out for a seventh league win in a row to start the season. They are next in action on Saturday, with a trip to East Grinstead. Kickoff is at 3pm.
Ramsgate: Hadler, Judd (Carlse), Barnes, Leader, Clifford, Martin, Gard, Jadama, Bioletti (Ajayi), Paxman, Taylor.
Subs: Walters, Garrett, Newcombe.
