7 Nov Youth Round-Up

Three wins and two losses for the Kent Youth League teams today, with one victory and one defeat in the cups. For the East Kent Youth League teams there were four wins, three of which were in the League Cup, and three losses.

Kent Youth League

The Under 18s were at home to Herne Bay in the League, who they visit on Tuesday week in the John Ullmann Memorial Cup, and ran out comfortable winners. The Rams were 2-0 up at the interval, adding a 3^rd in the 2^nd half with no reply. Ramsgate’s goals came from George Amber, Jack Kirkby and Dan Fowler.

The Under 16s played a top team for the third week running, and for the third week running came away with all the points. The two unbeaten sides in the league came face to face in Gillingham today and, after a close battle, second half goals from Shane Mitchell and George Stannard helped the Rams to a vital victory. The first half was very even with Hollands & Blair having the better of the early exchanges and the Rams having the better of the last 25 minutes. Chances were few although the Rams went close on three occasions, and with Josh Mattless in the Rams’ goal making an important save when one-on-one with their striker towards the end of the first half. The Rams were  2 regular defenders short for this game and this was made worse when left back Nick Symaka could not continue after the interval due to a badly bruised toe. Soon after the restart a pinpoint corner from the right by Jake Regan was headed in by Mitchell who found himself some space about 5 yards out. Five minutes later a long ball from Henry Piper was latched onto by Stannard who poked it around the oncoming ‘keeper only to see it hit the post and roll along their goal line allowing him to smash it into the net by the other post. H&B are a very strong side and soon bounced back when their tricky winger beat the Rams’ two defenders on the dead ball line and rolled the ball to a waiting striker who slotted home from 10 yards. Some changes were made to deal with the wide threat and the boys saw out the last 10 minutes with relative comfort. Another great hard working performance from the whole squad who all played a part. Special mention this work for our two central midfielders who may not have scored or cleared off the line or the like over the last 6 weeks, so have missed being mentioned in these reports, but have been absolutely amazing in breaking down all of our opponents play, often when matched up against 3 men in the middle – take a bow Ryan Freedman and Alex Miles. Two weeks of cup games now both away and both long journeys – keep it up lads, its quality.

The Under 15s had a top-of-the-table clash with leaders Maidstone United, and if there could be a league decider this early in the season then surely this might just have been it. Ramsgate have played league leaders Maidstone twice so far this season and they’re not half way through their fixtures yet. Maidstone started strong and attacked the Ramsgate goal from the off, hardly allowing the Rams to get a foothold in the game in the early stages, and the visitors’ early pressure paid off when the Maidstone forward line split the Rams’ defence to open the scoring on the quarter hour. Ramsgate came to life after conceding and started to play some good football with Mason Webb and Dominic Crawford both going close. Mason Webb latched onto a long through ball from Macaulay Durling and rounded the ‘keeper only to be caught by a Maidstone defender as he was about to stroke the ball into the back of the net, but the ref waved away any appeal for a penalty. The Rams continued to push forward and when Daniel Barrett was brought down on the edge of the box Crawford’s sweetly stuck free kick found the back of the net to draw the teams level at the break. Ramsgate had to make changes at the break due to injuries but the makeshift midfield of Daniel Barrett and Ben Munday continued to play attacking football second half with Ramsgate netting early on through Kane Rowland, only to be ruled out by the referee. Maidstone hit the Rams on the counter attack against the run of play to regain the lead and although Ramsgate threw everything at their visitors in the remaining minutes, some good keeping from the Maidstone ‘keeper ensured the visitors travelled home with all three points to move four points clear at the top of the table. Man of the Match went to Niall Turner.

The Under 14s entertained Sittingbourne in the League Cup at Pfizer, but went out after losing 4-2. Scott Nutting and Adam Turton were on target for the Rams.

The Under 13s’ winning run continued, knocking Erith & Belvedere out of the County Youth Cup. The young Rams were 1-0 up at half-time but ended up 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Mitch Laing, Alfie Dickinson, and Alfie Foster.

East Kent Youth League

The Under 18s were without a ‘keeper, who has broken his foot, and with only ten men available welcomed Herne Bay Harriers to Hereson where, perhaps not surprisingly, they lost 7-3.

No game for the Under 16s today.

The Under 15s played RYFC at Clarendon and lost 2-1.

The Under 13s played Deal Town at St Lukes and, although their visitors fought very hard in the first half, it was the young Rams going in it at half time 1-0 through some neat movement from Sam Miller and Jack Walsh, the latter going on to score. In the 2^nd half it was a different story, with the Rams scoring another 6 and being a very dominant side. Two goals came from Ross Griffin, with single strikes from Ellis Bennett, Billy Ingram, and a great header from Harry Belsey off a fantastic delivery from a corner by Tom Mills. Man of the Match was a difficult decision as Conner McAteer, Ross Griffin, Kane Webb and Jack Farley all stood good chances, but Jack Walsh took it eventually.

The Under 12s were away to Herne Bay Harriers in the League Cup where Man of the match, Khari Tulloch, scored early on for Ramsgate after an excellent, trade mark corner taken by Michael Curtis. With the young Rams using this match to try out a couple of players in different positions, the first half was pretty even with both teams having opportunities to score but neither side taking them. Come the 2nd half Ramsgate set up in a more familiar formation and it was pretty much a very one sided affair with the Rams’ goalkeeper hardly getting a touch of the ball. Despite this, Herne Bay Harriers defended well and Ramsgate could not find another way through to put the game beyond doubt.

The Under 12A team welcomed Herne Bay Youth to Clarendon in the League Cup and kept their winning run going with a 4-1 victory. Hayden Telles opened the scoring with a header from a well placed corner taken by Matt Short. The visitors hit back straight away, almost pulling level with a one on one with keeper Ben Pledger, who pulled off and fine save. The Rams pushed on and a Matt Short shot from 16 yards found the corner of the net, parried in by the keeper. The second half saw some swift passing from both sides with more pressure applied by the visitors with Pledger pulling off another remarkable save. The Rams continued to push forward and a deflected ball fell to the edge of the box where Ollie Harris’ strike found the top corner of the net. Herne Bay finally got a well deserved goal when the Rams’ defence got caught out on a break. The match ended with a Ryan Lewis goal following a failed shot from Charlie James, off the keeper. The Rams were grateful to Sam Percival playing out of position at left back due to team injuries.

The Under 11s played away to Herne Bay Youth in the League Cup today with only just a full team and no subs due to sickness. Both teams battled well in the wind and rain but it was young Ram Scott Roddam who ran though Herne Bay’s defence to take the 1^st goal. Herne bay quickly replied by doing the same, taking a corner shot, forcing the Rams’ goalkeeper to punch it away, but Herne Bay picked up the pieces to score from the rebound. The Rams’ Billy Walker hit the post just before Jack Walton netted twice, followed by Herne Bay pulling one back, while Finlay McConnell also scored to make it 4-2 to the Rams at half- time. The 2^nd half saw the weather improve, which seemed to suit the Rams, who quickly picked up the pace. Finlay McConnell scored again and Billy Walker took a lovely free kick, placing the ball just over the ‘keeper’s head, to score. Finlay, not wanting to miss out, netted another hat-trick for the Rams before Scott managed to get  his second between the posts, after several shots by himself, Declan Walker, William Herron and Max Wilson. Callum Turner and Callum Piper worked well together at the back keeping Herne Bay out, with Josh Richards also finding the target before Jack Walton scored again, making the final score 13-2 to Ramsgate. The ref also commented on both teams playing great football – well done boys keep it up.