The Alfred Albert Moore Memorial Cup Final was held at Ramsgate FC’s WWMartin Community Stadium this year so it was fitting a Ramsgate team was competing.
Ramsgate FC U18 (Green) are sitting in third spot in Division 2 whilst their opponents Faversham Strike Force are in second spot in Division 1, but despite the gap between the teams Ramsgate came into the game positive they could get a result.
The game started with Faversham in the ascendency but some good defending and some brave, unorthodox but effective goalkeeping from Nash averted any danger. Ramsgate started to get a foothold in the game after that initial spell and tested the Faversham keeper with some dangerous corners.
On 12 minutes Whitehead found himself on the edge of the Faversham penalty area and attempted a cross which was met by an outstretched Faversham arm. The ref didn’t hesitate to point to the spot and Bowes calmly slotted home to give Rams the lead. This really galvanised the boys and they continued to create chances, Webber in particular causing the Faversham defence all sorts of problems.
As the first half reached its latter stages Faversham won a corner kick. A floated cross evaded everyone only to find Faversham No10 unmarked at the back post and he cleverly looped a header back across goal to make it 1-1 going into the break. Ramsgate were then dealt another blow as captain Mullin who had led the back line brilliantly suffered a late injury.
Despite the set back Ramsgate came out fighting in the second half creating several chances and pinning Faversham back in their own half. Hollands who took the arm band leading by example in all areas of the pitch. On the hour mark Ramsgate thought they had the lead but Bowes long range effort cannoned off the crossbar and Faversham managed to clear to safety. It didn’t take long for Ramsgate to regain the lead though, a smart ball over the top from Hollands found Bowes who smartly cut inside the defender finding himself one on one with the keeper and from then on there was only one outcome as he calmly slotted home.
Faversham were forced to make changes to try and get back into the game and created a good chance for an equaliser only to see their best effort saved at full stretch by Nash.
With a little over 20 minutes to go the game was effectively put to bed. Rose, a second half sub made a marauding run down the left wing and his cross was met by Bowes who looped a header in to make it 3-1 and his hat trick for the afternoon.
Despite some late pressure from set pieces Ramsgate held out to claim a deserved victory and get their hands on the trophy.
Manager Russell Watkins commented after the game;
To be involved with the joy that arrived with the final whistle and to see the guys lift the trophy was very special. A fine reward for a great bunch of guys who have worked their socks off and evolved into a fantastic football team. Well done guys, the entire coaching team are very proud of you all.
MOM – Ollie Bowes
Squad – Brad-Lee Nash, Riley Watkins, Jude Rye, Jed Mullin, Harry Wilson, Kelvin Joseph, Sam Gillespie, Owen Rose, Oscar Hollands, Oscar Annis, Charlie Mcclellan, Finley Brown, Zac Whitehead, JJ Laing, Josh Brown, Jake Webber, Tom Owen, Ollie Bowes, Matthew Sellers
Photo Credit: Kerry Hollands
