Reserves 0 Deal Town 5

The Reserves welcomed 2nd place Deal Town to Southwood today and, despite a scoreline that flattered the visitors, a Ramgate side mainly made up from Under 16 and Under 18 players gave a good account of themselves, with their own chances on goal thwarted by some fine saves by Deal ‘keeper John Sparks.

The game was played at a brisk pace, with Deal’s players apparently attempting to intimidate the youngsters in red with rather a physical approach, and although possession was fairly even from the start, Deal took the lead in the 23rd minute when Sam Frost (remember him from the pre-season friendlies?) slipped the ball through to brother Gareth, who fired home. Five minutes later and George Amber was unlucky not to level the score when, after working hard to keep possesion, he cleverly lobbed Sparks but the ball went just over the bar. The Frost brothers had another chance at the Ramsgate goal just after the half hour, but the young ‘keeper did well to block Sam’s shot at point blank range and also the follow-up by Gareth.

In the 2nd half the young Rams stated with renewed vigour, but 2 minutes in Deal broke past the defence on the right and the cross gave Sam Payne a simple slot-in at the far post, and within a minute a freekick just outside the box was turned in Gareth Frost for Deal’s 3rd. Shortly after manager Andy Brazil changed formation, bringing Under 18 striker Dan Fowler on for Under 18 midfielder Jack Kirkby.  In the 58th minute Nick Treadwell was fouled on the edge of the area, with Amber putting the resulting freekick wide to Led Lami on the left, whose cross into the area appeared to be brought down by a defender’s arm, but the penalty appeals were ignored. Three minutes later and Deal got their 4th, when Sam Frost capitalised on a couunter attack and volleyed home from just inside the area. In the 73rd minute the fresh legs of 16 year old striker Mitchell Knight replaced the hardworking Amber, and with 8 mnutes to go Ramsgate won their 1st corner, which was headed back from the far post by Henry Piper and flicked on by Ollie Frewin, but the shot was blocked by Deal skipper Ian Wallace, and another penalty claim was ignored. The Rams kept pressing and 5 minutes later Treadwell was picked out by a cross as he ran into the area and, after taking a touch to cue up the shot, volleyed with his right towards the bottom corner, but another fine save by Sparks saw the ball turned round the post for a corner. Then, in the final minute, Deal forced another corner, which was headed in for a cruel 5th.