Tushaun Walters first half goal and an obligatory Joe Taylor strike was enough for Ramsgate to ease past a well organised Hythe Town at WW Martin Community Stadium. TT, who opened his Ramsgate account against Southall in the FA Cup, scored his first league goal for The Rams in the 18th minute when he turned in a Lewis Gard cross. Taylor doubled the lead on 56 minutes to put the game beyond doubt.
Ben Smith’s side, kicking towards The Airport End, started the game brightly and after five minutes of comfortable possession and had their first attempt at goal in the 5th minute. Patient build up play saw the ball passed to Medy Elito by Alfie Paxman but the 34-year-olds shot was far too high to worry goalkeeper Joe Coleman.
Six minutes later the next chance fell to Taylor. A combination of pressure from Lex Allen, a tight angle and the onrushing Coleman meant the game remained goalless as The Snorklers stopped denied last seasons 50 goal man.
In the 18th minute the inevitable happened and The Rams, who had barely left the Hythe half, took the lead. A clever ball over the top by Elito was squared across goal and met by Walters on the angle of the six yard box to blast home.
The home side continued to dominate with the visitors camped in their own half. Coleman was required to make two crucial saves in a period of five minutes just before the half hour mark. First, after a double one-two between Elito and Taylor then following a well disguised backheel by Taylor which put the ball into the path of TT whose effort from eight yards was tipped behind for a corner.
The Rams thought they had won a penalty on 31 minutes when TT was hacked down by Finn Whitton on the edge of the penalty area but referee Simon Cutler deemed the foul to be just outside the area and also not worthy of a yellow card for the fullback.
JT was enjoying a physical battle with Lex Allen all half and got the better of the giant centre-back in the 41st minute. Taylor held off Allen and rolled the ball in to the path of Tom Clifford who blazed over with Rams last attempt of the half.
After strong first half performance Walters made way for Josh Ajayi in the 52nd minute as the Rams looked to regain their intensity they enjoyed in the opening 45.
Three minutes later Taylor had doubled the lead. A goalmouth mele was not cleared by Hythe and the Ramsgate number nine disposed a defender before slotting home.
The homeside continued to control possession as the game drew to a close and fans were rewarded with a 25 minute cameo by returning Ram Lee Martin.
The result sees Ramsgate move to the top of the table and extend their run to six straight wins in all competitions. Smith’s men go again on Saturday away at Sheppey in The FA Trophy before returning to league action next Tuesday at Southwood when they take on Danny Kedwell’s Ashford United.
Rams: Hadler, Barnes, Leader, Clifford, Judd (Deacon 63’), Elito (Martin 68’), Gard, Jadama (Bola 88’), Walters (Ajayi 51’) Talor, Paxman – Subs not used – Carlse
