Ramsgate returned to winning ways in dominant style as they easily dispatched Lancing 4-1 on a cold afternoon at the WW Martin Community Stadium. The Rams made three changes from the defeat at East Grinstead, with Henry Newcombe replacing the suspended Tom Hadler, Lee Martin returning to the centre of midfield and Josh Ajayi starting on the right wing.
It was one way traffic from the off as the Rams looked to put their last result behind them, and TJ Jadama was just unable to apply a finishing touch to Ajayi’s cross in the second minute. The hosts didn’t have to wait long to take the lead though, and it was goal machine Joe Taylor who notched up his 30th goal of the season after eight minutes. A corner was floated in from the right, and Taylor was on hand to divert Joe Ellul’s header into the back of the net from close range.
Lancing had their first chance of the game in the 18th minute, with Ryan Atkinson shooting wide of Newcombe’s post from 20 yards. This was an exception to the norm though, with Ramsgate dominating possession. Shortly after Lancing’s chance, the hosts had the ball in the back of the net again through Taylor, only for the assistant referee’s flag to deny him his second.
The Rams’ number nine didn’t have to wait long for his second though, as it arrived in the 26th minute. Another corner was headed towards goal by substitute Billy Munday, and Taylor forced the ball over the line from close range to make it 2-0.
Straight from the kickoff, Martin almost made it three but his effort was saved well by James Dillon. The ball was recycled well afterwards, with Taylor receiving the ball in the box. He rolled in Roarie Deacon, who had made a surging run into the box from right back. He took a touch before tucking the ball into the far corner to make it 3-0 and send the Rams into cruise control.
The visitors were reduced to ten men in the 37th minute, with Knory Scott receiving his marching orders for raising his hands at Tom Clifford. Jadama then glanced a header wide following a lovely move started by Jay Leader before the hosts made it 4-0. It was Jadama that picked up the ball in the left channel, and he then found Alfie Paxman. The ball was played to Munday on the edge of the box, and he rifled a first time effort into the corner with aplomb.
Ramsgate came so close to making it 5-0 on the stroke of half time, with a penalty being awarded to the hosts after a clear foul on Clifford inside the box. Up stepped Taylor, but unfortunately he saw his effort go over the bar. 4-0 was how the score remained going into the break.
As has become somewhat customary in recent home games, the second half once again turned into something of a training match. Lancing were happy to keep everyone behind the ball with ten men, with the Rams keeping possession at will. Leader headed a corner over in the 48th minute before Munday saw a shot well blocked from a good position inside the box.
Munday again went close in the 73rd minute, heading another corner over the top of Dillon’s goal. The visiting goalkeeper then had to be alert to make a fine save from Taylor a few minutes later, before Deacon shot straight at Dillon in the 78th minute.
Lancing managed to score a consolation goal two minutes from time, very much against the run of play. A free kick was swung in from the left, and Jack Meeres’ header was touched in at the back post by substitute Emmanuel Abudiore. There was still time for the home side to nearly add a fifth though, with Martin hitting the bar with a dinked effort after being played in by Ajayi.
There was time for local youngster Oliver Jackson to make a lively cameo off the bench late on, but 4-1 was how the scoreline remained in the end, with Ramsgate returning to winning ways in fine style. They are next in action when they travel to Merstham this coming Saturday 21st December.
Ramsgate: Newcombe, Deacon, Ellul (Barnes), Leader, Clifford (Judd), Martin, Gard (Munday), Jadama (Jackson), Ajayi, Paxman (Bioletti), Taylor.
