Ramsgate emphatically extended their league unbeaten run to five games as they nonchalantly dispatched Welling United 4-1 at Park View Road. It was a performance full of both quality and composure – and in truth the Rams could’ve won by more in the end.
Manager Ben Smith made one change from the side that played out a highly entertaining 2-2 draw at Lewes on Saturday, with Donvieve Jones coming in to make his first start of the season in place of Jerome Binnom-Williams.
The away side started the game on the front foot, forcing a series of set pieces that were well dealt with by the Welling defence, before Alfie Paxman forced goalkeeper Freddie Norman into a good low save after a first time shot on 14 minutes. The Wings responded immediately by going close at the other end, with Greg Cundle controlling a bouncing ball on the right side of the penalty area. His fierce shot went just over the top of Aiden Prall’s crossbar.
From the resulting goal kick on the quarter hour mark, the Rams took the lead. Mitchell May calmly slotted the ball past Norman from ten yards after Benny Bioletti had flicked the ball on. Bioletti himself forced Norman into action on 22 minutes after a clever flick from Joe Taylor, before May spooned an effort into Norman’s grateful hands from twelve yards after the ball was recycled back into the box.
The main flash point of the half occurred shortly after, when Tom Clifford’s strong challenge sent Cundle tumbling to the floor. Despite the challenge clearly only being worthy of a yellow card (shown in the image below), the Welling players and management lost their cool completely – with striker Ruben Shakpoke and manager Lee Martin both shown red cards for their reactions.
Clifford’s late (on the floor/studs) yellow card challenge earns the Rams player a yellow card
From the resulting free kick, the home side launched the ball towards the Rams penalty area. The ball was flicked into the path of John Ufuah, but Prall was on hand to save well at his feet before the ball was cleared away. Ramsgate made their numerical advantage count after this, dominating possession and territory in the process.
Bioletti flicked a superb Paxman cross wide before the scoreline became 2-0 on 35 minutes. Jones superbly won a header on the right side that sent Bioletti running down the wing. His cross found Paxman on the left side of the box, and he took a touch before firing low past Norman with his right foot to notch his seventh goal of the season
A Lekan Majoyegbe forced a goal line clearance from Paxman in the 45th minute, before Taylor forced Norman into a smart save at his near post moments later after jinking away from two players in to box. On the stroke of halftime, the Rams made it 3-0 after Clifford’s superb cross from the right was headed home by Jones to both his and the 200 strong away contingent’s delight.
The second half began much in the same fashion, with Ramsgate comfortable in controlling possession and using the extra man well. Logan Dobbs denied Taylor with a last ditch challenge in the box before Femi Akinwande fired a shot over the bar from the edge of the box for the hosts on 55 minutes.
Mitch May dazzles the Welling defence
The Rams forced three chances in quick succession on the hour, with Bioletti shooting over the bar from the right side of the box before May had a shot well blocked after a lazy run. TJ Jadama was the next to go close, dragging a left footed shot wide of Norman’s right hand post as the pressure showed no signs of letting up.
Eight minutes later, Paxman forced a good save from Norman after more great work by Taylor, whilst Jadama shot wide from 20 yards a few minutes later. Against the run of play, the Wings pulled a goal back on 77 minutes when Cundle slotted low past Prall from twelve yards.
Normal service was resumed six minutes later though, as Taylor turned home from twelve yards after a long throw was flicked into his path to bag the goal his performance richly deserved. Paxman nearly notched his second minutes later – finishing after a superb throughball by sub Kai Garrett. The linesman’s flag had gone up in the buildup however, and the goal was disallowed.
Raphe Brown denies Cundle
Seven minutes of additional time was seen out comfortably, with youngsters Leo Todd and Oliver Jackson making appearances from the bench late on. Jubilant scenes followed amongst the players and fans at full time as Ramsgate celebrated a noteworthy and well deserved win. They are next in action at home to Cray Wanderers this coming Saturday 27th September. Kickoff is at 3pm at the WW Martin Community Stadium.
Ramsgate: Prall, Jones (Binnom-Williams), Brown, Barnes (Garrett), Bioletti, Clifford (Jackson), Munday (Gard), Paxman, Jadama, May (Todd), Taylor.
Star man: Mitchell May.
Photo credit: Keith Gillard
