Reserves 6 Homesdale 0

Today the Stiffs welcomed Homesdale in the league, but after being hit for 6 it was probably a long drive back to south London for the visitors. Ramsgate looked the more comfortable from the start but it was not until the 10th minute that the first real chance came, when Sammy Cliff slipped the ball through Nick Treadwell, but the ‘keeper was out quickly and managed to close the angle and block the shot. Ramsgate took the lead 10 minutes later when Jonny Greves pounced on a poor back pass and rounded the ‘keeper to slot home. Greves nearly scored again 6 minutes later, after a smart ball from Olti Keci released Greves down the right flank, from where he rifled a shot at goal that the ‘keeper just managed to palm around the far post at full stretch. With 2 minutes to the interval it appeared that Greves had been hauled down in the box and a penalty awarded, but after a discussion with his assistant the referee awarded a freekick to Homesdale. Greves was not to be denied though, and in the 44th minute a great first touch saw him split the defence with a ball in from Cliff on the left, and then slot it past the ‘keeper. 

Two minutes after the restart a great ball from Joe Halfpenny allowed Cliff to beat the offside trap and go through on goal, but the quick footed ‘keeper just beat him to the ball. Three minutes later and Treadwell worked his way through to bag Ramsgate’s third, while another two minutes saw Joe Molineux turn the ball in at the far post after a scramble in the area. On the hour mark a 25 yard freekick from Cliff curled sweetly over the wall but was plucked from the air by the ‘keeper, while a minute later the ball appeared to have crossed the Homesdale goal line before a defender hooked it out. In the 69th minute the Rams were awarded a freekick for a challenge on George Amber just outside the area, and after continuing to disagree with the referee, and using inappropriate language that was clearly audible in the main stand, a Homesdale defender managed to get himself dismissed from the field of play. When the freekick was eventually taken the ‘keeper managed to block it, but Treadwell followed in to slot the rebound home. In the 74th minute the Rams were awarded a penalty and, after a Homesdale official marched across the pitch to remonstrate with the referee and one of his assistants before ventually being directed to the changing room, Greves converted the spot kick for his hat-trick. With 10 minutes to go Homesdale had their best chance of the game with a freekick from 20 yards, which was well struck but was dealt with by a great save from Haden Suter. Ramsgate nearly added to their tally with 5 minutes to go, after some good interplay up the right saw Keci slot the ball through to Amber in front of goal, but having made space for the shot the striker’s volley went straight at the ‘keeper.

Reserves: Hayden Suter, Joe Halfpenny (Jay Holloway 64), Charlie McCarthy, Ryan Matthews, Chris Jordan, Olti Keci, Neil Hoggart (c), Nick Treadwell, Joe Molineux (George Amber 56), Jonny Greves (Brett Kinch 81), Sammy Cliff. Unused Substitute: Steve McDonald.