15 January – Youth Round-Up

Today the Kent Youth League Under 18s and the Under 15s beat Kennington and Folkestone Invicta respectively, while the Under 14s were victorious at Hollands & Blair and the Under 13s lost at Canterbury City. The Under 16s went out of the county cup at Rusthall.

In the East Kent Youth League the Under 16s drew with Deal Town, the Under 14s and Under 13s lost at Trinity and Canterbury Eagles respectively, while the Under 12s beat Trinity Colts. The Under 18s were without a fixture today but were crowned League Champions as challengers Deal Town were beaten.

Kent Youth League

The Under 18s won again, this time beating Kennington at Southwood 5-1. The Rams’ goals came from another Tom Chapman hat-trick, a single from Shane Mitchell, and an own goal. This puts them in 3^rd place in the League but only 1 point behind current leaders Folkestone Invicta.

The Under 16s travelled to Rusthall in this County Youth Cup quarter-final tie, but went out of the competition 4-0. The 16s are still top of their League however, but now on goal difference to Dover (but with 4 games in hand).

The Under 15s continued their winning start to 2012 with a comfortable victory against their Folkestone counterparts at Southwood this afternoon. Ramsgate pinned their visitors back and a dangerous free kick from the right got the slightest hand on the line from defender. Unfortunately for the visitors the referee had no option but to point to the spot and show a red card. Harsh, but those are the rules, and Adam Turton confidently tucked the resultant penalty away to give the Rams a half-time lead. The Rams had the numerical advantage in the 2^nd half and made the very most of it by keeping the ball in the Folkestone half for long periods. Their 2^nd goal came early courtesy of an own goal after some good work by Matt Dolan on the left, whose cross was turned into his own net by a Folkestone defender. From this time on it was over as a contest and Ramsgate dominated possession with Josh Jackson excellent in the heart of the midfield. It was from his cleverly weighted pass that Owen Kermode got his first of the afternoon with a controlled finish when through 1-on-1. It was the same player who got the Rams’ fourth, as Owen Kermode showed a cool head when through on goal and finished a good move for his 2^nd of the day. A good reward for him and Callum Kennelly, his strike partner, who worked hard all game and got their rewards. Charlie Hills in the Rams’ goal made a fantastic save to keep his clean sheet late in the 2^nd half, when from a rare shot on his goal needed a great save. Credit to Folkestone though, as they kept working hard and did not give up, but 3 points to the deserving winners. This pulls the Rams into 4^th place, with games in hand over the 3^rd and 1^st placed teams.

The Under 14s travelled to 3^rd place Hollands & Blair, and returned with all the points after a 2-0 win, the young Rams’ goals coming from Seb Rowland and Brandon Adam. The 14s are now 5 points clear at the top if the League, with a game in hand over 2^nd place Bearsted.

The Under 13s went to Canterbury City but returned without any points after a home win.

East Kent Youth League

The Under 18s were without a game but, with challengers Deal Town losing, were confirmed as League Champions. The lads are still in the hunt for further silverware, and are in the semi-finals of the League Cup next Sunday.

The Under 16s were hosts today to Deal Town at St Lukes. Town pushing for honours this season, having lost only twice, came anticipating victory against a Reds side that have done themselves little justice at times this season. Rams soon found themselves a goal down after 10 mins after a forward ball, misjudged by the Rams keeper, found a Town striker to prod home into an empty net. That seemed to be the signal the young Rams needed and they pushed relentlessly for the remaining 30 mins of the first half in search of the equaliser, striker Steven Hazon and midfielder Niall Turner going closest amongst others, but failing to find the target. The Rams came out after the break with the bit well and truly between their teeth! Resolute defending by skipper Bradley Attwood, Liam Roddam, Lewis Coot and Jak Hughes, ably assisted by ‘keeper Harry Kirkby, fully in control of his area, kept anything Town had to offer well and truly at bay. Turner and Hadyn Thomas were once again superb battling in the centre of the park, with terrific support down the flanks from Conor Buddle and Liam Roddam, the midfield quartet causing real headaches for Town. With Jolie Treadgold working relentlessly upfront with Hazon, chance after chance for Rams to find the net went begging, midfielder Buddle squandering the simplest of chances on at least two occasions, however he was not alone – Ramsgate should have had half a dozen!! With seventy odd minutes gone and Deal Town well and truly on the back foot, Hazon found the net from 6 yards to bring the Reds level. Ramsgate continued to press for a well deserved winner but on this occasion, even with a performance of the season, it was not to be, Deal Town being more than happy to hear the final whistle today! RAMS: Harry Kirkby, Jak Hughes, Liam Gallup, Bradley Attwood (c), Lewis Coot, Niall Turner, Hadyn Thomas (Matthew Piper 69), Conor Buddle (Jordan Goodwin69), Liam Roddam (Arthur Ruffy69), Jolie Treadgold, Steven Hazon.

The Under 14s went to League leaders Trinity and, having led 2-1 at the interval, couldn’t contain their hosts’ 2^nd half revival, eventually losing 3-2.  The young Rams’ goals came from a 30 yard Alfie Foster volley and Billy Ingram, while ‘keeper Joe Twyman saved a penalty. Man of the Match went to Alfie Foster.

The Under 13s travelled to Canterbury Eagles and lost by a single goal in the 1^st half. Player of the Match was Callum Barry.

The Under 12s played Trinity Colts at the Clarendon Sports Fields, winning 4-0 thanks to a brace from Finlay McConnell, and singles from Charlie King and Scott Roddam.