Ramsgate 1 Godalming Town 1

Today it was the Rams’ first step, but hopefully not the last, in the oldest football cup competition in the world. Unfortunately their opponents are high-flying Godalming, who are currently leading Ryman 1 South, however Jim Ward has changed things around a little since Tuesday night and the home side’s performance showed a great improveent.

The first real chance fell to the Rams in the 10th minute, when a great run and cross by Paul Axon was met by Mitchell Sherwood, whose volley was well blocked by the ‘keeper, only for Aaron Beech to head te ball against the bar. Five minutes later and Axon nearly put the Rams ahead, when his curling shot from just outside the box required a great stop from the ‘keeper. Godalming’s only real chance of the half came in stoppage time, when a freekick was flicked on to James Mariner, who headed wide of the far post.

In the 2nd half the Rams took the lead in the 55th minute when Mitchell Sherwood converted the penalty that was awarded when Ollie Gray was brought down as he run through with the ball inside the box. The next real chance again fell to the Rams when 18 minutes later a good exchange between Ben Laslett Aaron Beech ended up with the latter misjudging his shot, and the ball came to Sherwood who fired overfrom 8 yards. In the 81st mnute, after a good exchange between Beech and Sherwood, the former’s cross was cut out by the defence, however centre forward Mark Lovell pounced but his shot from 11 yards went over. Five mnutes later and another good run by Sherwood saw his place a great cross to Lovell, but again the striker couldn’t get his shot under the bar. Then in stoppage time, Godalming had their first real chance of the half and substitute Richard Shittu equalised when, travelling away from goal, he he volleyed on the turn at an acute angle and the ball sailed into the top far corner.

Rams: Conor Quinn, Ollie Gray, James Gregory, Lee Hockey (Ryan Harker 83), Luke Wheatley, Ben Laslett (c), Aaron Beech, Liam Quinn, Mark Lovell (Tom Tsangarides 87), Mitchell Sherwood, Paul Axon (Curtis Winnett 86). Unused Subs: Warren Schulz, Gary Lockyer, Ashley Groombridge, Brett Mills.

Attendance 171

The replay will be at Godalming on Tuesday 31st, 7.30pm kickoff.