9 January Youth Round-Up

With the resumption of youth football after the holiday break, all of the Rams’ Kent Youth League sides were in County Cup action. The Under 18s welcomed Dartford, the Under 16s Sutton Dynamos, and the Under 13s Thamesmead Town. The Under 15s and Under 14s travelled to Phoenix Sports and Corinthians respectively. For the East Kent Youth League teams it was back to League action, with the Under 18s welcoming Walmer Rovers to Clarendon, and the Under 16s playing host to Highfield United at St Lukes. The Under 15s, Under 13s and Under 12 As visited Eythorne Rovers, Kennington and Monkton Youth respectively; while the Under 11s faced Thanet Colts at Clarendon (the Under 12s game at Folkestone Invicta was cancelled).

Kent Youth League

The Under 18s progressed to the quarter finals of the County Cup after a 4-3 win over a strong Dartford side at Southwood, playing for most of the game with 10 men. Dartford opened the scoring after about 15 minutes, but George Amber equalised from the penalty spot shortly after. Unfortunately the Rams went down to 10 men in the 20^th minute, when Amber was dismissed for a challenge, with Dartford re-taking the lead before the interval. In the 2^nd half a clever chip by Jack Kirkby from the edge of the area beat the Dartford ‘keeper to level the score, and with 10 minutes to go Ollie Frewin from a Kirkby freekick to give the Rams the lead. Dartford equalised with 5 minutes to go and the prospect of extra-time loomed, but in the final minutes a clever ball forward by Chris Rigden was met by Dan Fowler who, after outpacing the defence saw the ‘keeper block his shot, but retrieved the rebound and went past the ‘keeper to slot home the winner.

The Under 16s also went through to the quarter finals of the County Cup, with what was in the end a comfortable 5 nil win at Hereson School today. The lads really struggled for fluency in the first half as Sutton showed that they are a decent side, with their top scorer (number causing the Rams 1 or 2 anxious moments. A consensus was reached at half time that this was our worst 40 miuntes of the year and resolved to go out and do better. With 8 minutes on the second half clock Triston Gordon, making his 1st appearance of the season and having only been on the pitch for 2 minutes, made a powerful run at the centre of their defence and was brought down, the resultant free kick on the edge of the box being curled into the top corner with a Jake Regan left foot special. The Rams now seemed to relax and the football improved – a Regan cross was met at the far post with a Henry Piper clinical header to make it 2 and when Ryan Freedman fired home from 25 yards and an acute angle it was effectively game over. Gordon then hit a quality 4th cutting in from from the left, fending off 2 defenders and then hitting an unstoppable bullet shot over the keeper from 25 yards out. To be fair to Sutton they tried to play good football throughout the match and may have been feeling the effects of a long break and the closing down they did in the first half. The scoring was completed when George Stannard rounded and outpaced their right back and slotted home expertly with about 10 minutes to go. In the end another good performance from the boys who haven’t conceded a goal in 3 county cup rounds thus far. Lastly, a quick mention for ‘keeper Dave Parker who played his first match for the side today and did very well standing in for the injured Josh Mattless.

The Under 15s were out-muscled, out-played, and dumped out of the County Cup by a much stronger and organised Phoenix Sports from Bexleyheath. Phoenix scored early from a well worked corner and added a second soon after when Sid Twelftree was alleged to have fouled within the penalty area and the home side were rewarded with a spot kick from which they scored. The Rams suffered two early injuries to both Daniel Barrett and Sid Twelftree to add to what was a volatile first twenty minutes. Ramsgate settled following the two early goals and played some good football with Kane Rowland and Dominic Crawford both going close, and were unlucky not to have pulled a goal back before the break. The second half started with Phoenix once again attacking the Rams’ goal and added a third following a defensive mix up under pressure. Dominic Crawford hit what was goal of the game with a twenty five yard screamer before Phoenix put the tie out of Ramsgate’s reach with their fourth of the game. Man of the match went to Harry Brooks for some great goalkeeping.

The Under 14s bowed out of the County Cup at the last 16 stage to a big, strong and very well drilled Corinthian side who, apart from maybe 10 minutes in the second half, completely dominated Ramsgate. The enforced winter break has done the Rams no favours and their counterparts, who have an excellent indoor facility up at Longfield, were able to train throughout the snowy break and this certainly showed as the home side quickly raced into a 2 goal lead. The young Rams continued to try to get their match legs back but were in the end unable to make any real impression on this game. The consolation goal for Ramsgate was scored by Mitchell King, who finished coolly when set free inside the box late on from a move he started in his own half. Hopefully, with no further cup games to play, this will now provide an uninterrupted run of league games to continue with what is a pleasingly positive season so far.

The Under 13s’ hosted a fiercely contested Tesco Cup quarter final at Southwood and the first half saw few chances despite strong hold up play by James Mileham. Mitch Laing came closest with a powerful shot from outside the area forcing a fine save but both defences held firm to half time. The young Rams forced the breakthrough in the second half following a powerhouse run by Alfie Foster leaving Mitch Laing to fire home to take the lead. Thamesmead came back and excellent work from Gianni Birch cleared the Ramsgate Lines. More chances followed with a Foster header from a James Price cross being saved on the line. Harris Rogers caused more problems for the visitors and came close as did Alfie Dickenson and Sam Bone. Ed Elliot was called on to make an excellent save to keep the lead intact and send Ramsgate to the semi finals.  This was an excellent squad performance on the large Southwood pitch and a well deserved victory. RAMS: Ed Elliott, Sam Munday, Dan Adams, Gianni Birch, Jack Paxman, Seb Rowland, Sam Bone, Mitch Laing, Dan Vinson, James Mileham, Jacob Price, James Brown, Alfie Foster, Alfie Dickinson, James Price, Harris Rodgers.

East Kent Youth League

The Under 18s welcomed Walmer Rovers to Clarendon and, with goals from Lewis Altree and Jack Paine, were 2-0 ahead at the break. In the 2^nd half Walmer fought back to level the scores, but a freekick by Man of the Match Dan Tucker late in the game dipped under the crossbar, giving the Rams a deserved 3-2 win.

The Under 16s welcomed second placed Highfield United to St Lukes today in what proved to be a very even contest. Although Highfield were unbeaten in the League so far this season, it was the Rams that started the stronger side, putting their opponents under considerable pressure in the first 15 minutes. James Olver delivered some excellent corner kicks, and Jamie Gregory-Davis almost scored when he headed an Olver corner just over the bar. After soaking up our early pressure, Highfield hit back on the counter attack and took the lead on 18 minutes. This obviously gave them a huge boost, and the game became a more even contest. Highfield played to their strengths, and constantly looked to kick and throw long balls in to their very speedy forwards. For most of the game the Rams dealt with it well, and special mention must go to centre backs Keiron Ford and Sam Coupland, who both put in very solid performances. The Highfield ‘keeper made some very good saves in the first half, including one at full stretch to deny a superbly hit shot from Mitchell Knight, which looked destined for the bottom right hand corner. Following a couple of penalty claims for the Rams dismissed by the ref, it remained 0-1 at the break. The second half saw both sides have spells where they controlled the game. On 70 minutes the Rams’ Captain, Weston Beckwith, almost levelled the scores when he connected with a superb header that had the keeper beaten, but unfortunately rebounded off the post. With fifteen minutes to go the Rams stepped up a gear, and looked the team most likely to score next. Unfortunately, with just five minutes remaining Highfield made sure of all three points, when they hit their second and final goal of the game. Although disappointed with the result, the Rams’ performance was spirited and hardworking, and had their finishing been better the outcome could have been very different. Well done to all the lads for their efforts.

The Under 15s visited Eythorne Rovers – result awaited.

The Under 13s made the relatively short trip to Monkton Youth, and returned with all three points after a 4-0 win. Ross Griffin and Ellis Bennett both scored a brace each, with one each side of the interval.

The Under 12s game at Folkestone Invicta Youth was cancelled owing to a waterlogged pitch.

The Under 12A side visited Kennington where they played excellent football in what turned out to be a fantastic all round team performance. Ramsgate started strongly, keeping Kennington on the back foot, when a in the 15^th minute a defended ball fell at the feet of Billy Munday, who found the corner of the net to put the Rams 1-0 ahead. Shortly before the half-time whistle, Kennington brought the score to 1-1. The second half started just as the first with the Rams going on the attack. A Matt Short corner found the head of Jack Field who headed home, making it 2-1. Continued attack forced Kennington to clear the ball off the goal line on several occasions. Just before the final whistle quality passing saw a through ball from Hayden Telles find Ollie Harris, who chipped it home into the back of the net bringing the final score to a 3-1 victory. A great win to start the second half of the season. Outstanding performances from Ben Pledger, George Lawry-Jones, Stephen Dolan, Louis Clarke, Charlie James, Sam Chivilo and Chaz Day.

The Under 11s welcomed Thanet Colts to Clarendon and won a decisive victory 10-2.