Rams 1 Thamesmead 0 KSC

Tonight the Rams welcomed Thamesmead Town to Southwood for a quarter-final tie in the Kent Senior Cup and, just as in the quarter-final two years ago, Ramsgate move into the semis courtesy of a single goal winning margin. The game also heralded the return of former Rams Sam Mott, Nick Davis and Stuart King to Southwood, who have all joined the Mead for the current campaign.

The first chance fell to the Rams in the 2nd minute, when a goalmouth scramble saw Sam Mott smother the ball at the feet of Mark Lovell. The next real opportunity came in the 15th minute, when ‘keeper Brett Mills was at full stretch to push a volley onto the Ramsgate crossbar. The game continued at a lively pace until the 35th minute, when a challenge from the rear saw Paul Axon on the deck writhing in agony. Play was stopped for a couple of minutes before Axon could be removed by stretcher, with a badly swollen ankle, to be replaced by Joe Taylor. Five minutes before the interval and Warren Schulz fired in a freekick from just outside the area, but although it pierced the defence Mott was positioned well to collect. A couple of minutes later and a shot by Lovell looked goal bound but again was smothered by Mott just inside the post.

Eight minutes into the second half came the Rams best opportunity to date, when a freekick was whipped in from the right and Luke Wheatley’s flick-on header appeared goal-bound, but another fine save by Mott kept the scores level. Then in the 65th minute, a great run from right back by Curtis Winnett, including a 1-2 with Taylor, saw Winnett put the ball in to Lovell, who rifled the ball past Mott to give the Rams the advantage. Two minutes later and a fast break by Thamesmead left ‘keeper Mills no option but to come out of his area and, although he cleared the ball, the referee decided there had been an infringment and gave the Mead a freekick on the edge of the area. The kick was well taken but Mills was equal to the challenge. In the 76th minute Simon Pettit tried his luck from 20yards but, although it dipped late, it proved no real problem for Mott. With 10 minutes to go Nick Davis found himself in the path of a Thamesmead corner, but his close range header flew well over the Ramsgate bar. So a solid victory for the Rams who, despite a tenacious performance by the Mead, never looked overly troubled.

Ramsgate: Brett Mills, Curtis Winnett, James Gregory, Luke Wheatley, Ryan Harker, Ben Laslett (c), Mitchell Sherwood, Warren Schulz, Mark Lovell (George Amber 82), Simon Pettit, Paul Axon (Joe Taylor 37). Unused subs: Jack Kirkby, Henry Piper, Josh Mattless.

Attendance 73