Ramsgate kicked off their 2024-25 season with an entertaining 3-2 win over an energetic Bearstead side on a cloudy evening at the WW Martin Community Stadium.
With fans favourite Ben Smith back in the dugout as interim manager, a buzz of positivity radiated around the ground as the teams kicked off in the Summer twilight. Smith handed starts to Leo Todd and Tom Brisley in the heart of defence, with Fin Bough at right back and Harry Sharman in midfield.
Bearstead started quickly out of the blocks, with Tom Hadler in the Rams’ goal called in to action with a few fine saves as the first half progressed. The first goal came in the 13th minute as a short corner routine found its way to Abie Thibault, who’s low drive from the edge of the box beat Hadler.
Rams grew in to the game more as the half went on, with Benny Bioletti occupying a central midfield role and Wes Hennessey hugging the right touchline. The two players swapped places at half time, with the Rams firing out of the blocks to start the second half with real intent.
A barnstorming forward run by Aaron Barnes was stopped illegally in the box in the 48th minute, allowing captain Joe Taylor to slot home his first goal of hopefully many more this season from the penalty spot. Minutes later TJ Jadama thundered the crossbar with a trademark strike from an Alfie Paxman cutback.
In the 66th minute, Zack Jobe was brought off the bench – and what an impact he made. Firstly, in the 68th minute, he nodded home a rebound after a superb high press caught the Bearstead defence off guard to make it 2-1 to the Rams. Barely two minutes later it was 3-1 with Jobe again getting on the scoresheet – this time with a lovely left foot finish in to the bottom right corner of the Bearstead goal.
The Bears pulled a goal back in the 80th minute, with Will Johnson-Cole forcing home from close range, but the Rams saw the game out to register a 3-2 victory.
All in all a very positive night for the Rams, with Archie Simmons, Leo Moore, Riley Twyman and Jack Hawkins all coming off the bench in the second half. The preseason schedule continues with an away trip to Dover Athletic on Saturday 13th July. Kickoff is at midday.
COYR!
Rams: Hadler (Simmons), Bough (Jobe), Todd, Brisley, Barnes (Hawkins), Sharman (Moore), Bioletti, Jadama, Hennessey (Twyman), Paxman, Taylor
