23 Jan Youth Round-Up

Today all but one of the Club’s Kent Youth League teams were in action, with the Under 18s beating Bridon Ropes after a penalty shoot-out at Southwood in the League Cup, the Under 16s exited the County Cup after a tough quarter-final at Cray Wanderers, while in the league the Under 15s lost at Dover Athletic and the Under 13s lost to Glebe at Pfizer in the League Cup. The Under 14s were due to visit Canterbury in the league but their opponents had a rearranged cup game that took precedence. In the East Kent Youth League 4 out of 7 teams were in action, with the Under 15s narrowly losing to Margate Youth at St Lukes, the Under 12s were defeated by the Under 12 A team at Clarendon for Club bragging rights, and the Under 11s beating Woodnesborough at Clarendon.

Kent Youth League

The Under 18s welcomed Bridon Ropes to Southwood for this League Cup fixture, with the Rams booking a home tie against Dulwich Hamlet in the quarter finals after a penalty shoot-out. The visitors established a 2 goal lead before George Amber pulled one back for the Rams, with the Ropes making it 1-3 on 40 minutes and Amber hitting the post from the penalty spot just before half-time. In the 2^nd half Ramsgate made it 2-3 when Jack Kirkby’s effort from a corner was turned into the net by the Bridon ‘keeper under pressure, with Chris Rigden grabbing the equaliser to force extra-time. Bridon re-took the lead from the penalty spot after ‘keeper Shaun Kennedy was dismissed for denying a goal scoring opportunity, with midfielder Lewis Ray replacing him between the sticks. However, a great freekick from Kirkby in the dying minutes saw the game go to penalties, where 3 saves by Ray and goals from Charlie Hayden, Rigden and Kirkby left the Rams victorious.

The Under 16s travelled to south east London for a tough quarter-final against Cray Wanderers in the County Cup, but after a 1^st half penalty and a goal on the break from a long forward ball in the 2^nd half, the Rams exited the cup on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline.

The Under 15s suffered their biggest league defeat of the season away to an in-form Dover on a very soggy pitch. Both teams started well and played some good football, cancelling out each other’s attacks. Dover struck first when the Rams’ defence failed to pick up and close down on the edge of the area and allowed Dover a clear strike on goal. Dover made it two shortly after, again the defence of Ramsgate unable to get control of the game. Ramsgate made changes following the second goal and settled back down creating some good chances and played some good football. Kane Rowland pulled one back following some good build up play from the midfield. Ramsgate were unlucky not to have levelled before the break, when Mason Webb and Kane Rowland both went close. The 2^nd half was all about Ramsgate’s missed chances and unforced errors, The Rams started the second half strong and really took the game to Dover with clear cut chances falling again to Webb, Jack Grainger and Rowland, but the Ramsgate strikers never looked comfortable in front of goal due to the conditions and wasted chances to get back into the game. The Rams saw Centre back Sid Twelthtree carried off following a clash with his ‘keeper, Harry Brooks, which seemed to change the game and gave Dover the opportunity to extend their lead and put the game out of Ramsgate’s reach.  

The Under 14s were without a game.

The Under 13s welcomed Glebe FC to Pfizer in the League Cup Quarter-Final, but despite dominating the 1^st half, hitting the crossbar and having chances to go 2 or 3 up, a couple of shots from distance gave their visitors a 2 goal lead, before finally losing 3-0.

East Kent Youth League

The Under 18s and Under 16s were both without a game today.

The Under 15s lost their local derby against Margate Youth at St Lukes today after a lack lustre 1^st half saw their visitors leading 1-0 at the break. However a resurgent Ramsgate side emerged after the interval with Connor Buddle and Lewis Coot standing out for the Rams in the 2^nd half. Two performances stood out all game, with ‘keeper Harry Kirkby putting in a great shift and Jolie Treadgold’s persistence in midfield also caught the eye. Haydn Thomas also had a great game in the back 4 for the young Rams.  

The Under 13s were without a game today.

The Under 12 A team welcomed the Under 12s to Clarendon for this internal derby. The game got off to a good start, with solid passing and structured play from both sides but, following a corner from Matt Short, Stephen Dolan managed to head the ball into the net making the score 1-0 to Rams A. Pressure from both teams was then increasing, until another Matt Short corner came off the head of one of the Under 12s for an unfortunate own goal, making it 2-0 for Rams A. Rams A were once again on the attack with competent passing when Charlie James’ deflected shot made the score 3-0 at the half time whistle. In the second half superb defending from Stephen Dolan, Jack Field, Louis Clarke and Sam Chivilo led to Hayden Telles slotting a ball through to Ollie Harris who scored his first of the game. The next goal followed when Hayden Telles chipped the ball over the ‘keeper taking the score to 5-0. Ben Pledger’s goal keeping skills were called upon to keep a clean sheet for the As when he had to make a two footed save. Ollie Harris notched up his second of the game with a fine strike bringing the score to 6-0. A difficult and well competed game finished 6-0 to Ramsgate FC A. Another fine performance from Billy Munday, Ryan Lewis, Chaz Day, George Lawry-Jones and Owen Toller making his Rams’ debut.

The Under 11s welcomed Woodnesborough to Clarendon and, thanks to a brace of goals from Jack Walton and Finlay McConnell, and one from Billy Walker, ended up winning 5-0.