In an electrifying encounter at the Bauvil Stadium, Ramsgate showcased their attacking flair and resilience despite falling to a 4-2 defeat against a formidable Chatham Town side. One change was made to the starting XI from Saturday’s thrilling victory against Whitehawk, with Anthony Grant replacing the injured Lewis Gard. New signing Sha’mar Lawson was named amongst the substitutes.
The Rams, brimming with confidence and determination, played with heart and quality – proving they can compete with the best in a match that ebbed and flowed with relentless intensity.
From the opening whistle, both teams displayed their attacking intent. In the fourth minute, Sam Sene-Richardson unleashed a speculative 25-yard shot that soared over the bar, but the hosts soon found their rhythm. A minute later, Tope Fadshunsi latched onto a clipped ball over the top, firing just wide of goalkeeper Aiden Prall’s far post.
The Rams, backed by a huge away following, responded with tenacity – as Billy Munday won the ball in midfield in the seventh minute. He set up Ryan Kingsford for a driving run, though his effort was thwarted at the edge of the box. Munday’s follow-up shot showed the Rams’ willingness to take the game to their opponents, but it drifted wide of the far post.
Chatham opened the scoring in the ninth minute, capitalizing on a swift move down the left. The ball was cut back to Fadahunsi, who fired a first-time shot across Prall to make it 1-0. Undeterred, Ramsgate hit back almost immediately. A minute after the restart, Jerome Binnom-Williams surged through midfield and unleashed a fierce strike that whistled just wide of the near post, signaling the Rams’ intent to fight back.
In the 15th minute, the visitors came so close to levelling the score when TJ Jadama’s clever flick-on sent Benny Bioletti through on goal. His low shot across the keeper struck the left post, a moment of agony for the traveling supporters.
The Rams continued to grow into the game, playing with confidence and fluidity. Their persistence paid off in the 35th minute when Jadama’s pinpoint pass found Kingsford on the right wing. The winger’s precise cross was met by Alfie Paxman, who powered a header home from eight yards to make it 1-1. The equaliser was a testament to Ramsgate’s attacking verve and their ability to carve open a strong Chatham defence.
The Chats are a strong side though, and regained the lead four minutes later through another well-worked move. Kian Moynes’ cross from the left byline tapped in by the Samuel Folarin from close range. Despite the setback, Ramsgate remained undaunted, with Bioletti causing havoc in the 45th minute, only to be crowded out by a resolute Chatham defense. At halftime, the score stood at 2-1, but the Rams were far from out of the contest.
The second half saw the visitors come out with renewed vigor, defending stoutly against Chatham’s early pressure while building momentum of their own. A series of corners showcased their growing dominance, though Chatham’s defense held firm.
The Rams kept pushing and were finally rewarded in the 71st minute. In a moment of brilliance, Bioletti won the ball back on the right and rolled it to Jadama, who was fouled just inside the box. Paxman stepped up, coolly sending the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to level the score at 2-2. Moments later, Garrett’s sublime control in the left channel nearly resulted in a goal, and it took some heroic defending from Reece Butler to deny him.
Jadama charged down a clearance from keeper Henry Molyneux that went just over the bar, before Chatham retook the lead in the 75th minute. Stanley Oldfield headed home from a free kick, before they sealed the points five minutes from time with a scrappy fourth goal from another set-piece. Oldfield was again the beneficiary as he turned in at the back post following a scuffed shot.
Despite the deficit, Ramsgate refused to capitulate. In stoppage time, Jadama’s driving run set up substitute Mitchell May, whose shot across goal was well saved by Henry Molyneux, while Bioletti’s late cut-back was well-defended.
Though the final score read 4-2, Ramsgate’s performance gave their travelling army of fans plenty of heart. Their attacking flair, relentless spirit, and ability to match a top-tier side blow-for-blow left fans feeling a sense of pride despite the result. With this display, the Rams have shown they are a force to be reckoned with, ready to take on any challenge in the campaign ahead.
Paxman was in a philosophical mood at the final whistle, taking positives from the performance.
“We knew this league was going to be big a step up, and it was never going to be like last season. There are things we need to work on, but there are positives we can take from tonight. You have to learn quickly at this level, and thankfully we get the chance to go again at home on Saturday.”
The Rams face Dulwich Hamlet at the WW Martin Community Stadium this coming Saturday, with a 3pm kickoff.
Ramsgate: Prall, Webster, Barnes, Brown, Binnom-Williams (Garrett), Grant (Lawson), Munday, Kingsford (May), Bioletti, Paxman, Jadama. Subs: Jobe, Robbens.
Star man: Raphe Brown
Photos by AT Photography
