Rams 4 Merstham 2

In an exact reverse score of the teams’ previous encounter this season, the hosts took their turn to win 4-2 although the final tally could have been more. With both teams starting the match in a hard-working and energetic style it was perhaps surprising that neither created any real goal threat until the 20^th Minute when home ‘keeper Danny Twyman was forced into action as he threw himself into a fine save against Fabio Saraiva’s shot from the box edge. Immediately after this however Twyman was forced back into action as Merstham were awarded a spot kick which seemed harsh on the hosts and Roscoe Dsane hit a precise penalty to the right of the suddenly busy custodian. Ramsgate fought straight back however and, whilst Ben Laslett’s looping shot was way over the bar, Simon Pettit’s header, latching onto a dangerous free-kick, was on target and forced David Wilkinson into action to palm the ball away. As the Reds pushed on Ian Pulman levelled on 37 when collecting a through ball which found him inside the box and he smoothly rounded Wilkinson before calmly sliding the ball home. Five minutes later Stephen O’Brien made it two for Ramsgate as he made easy work of tapping in from a long throw by midfielder Simon Pettit.

Into the second half and Merstham started the livelier team with Dsane, who had also scored in the match at Moatside, and Liam Wright both looking particularly spritely threats as firstly Dsane found himself unmarked in the box but failed to control the cross and then Wright put through Sam Tucknott who was denied by the quick action of Twyman who blocked with his legs. Roles were reversed when O’Brien turned provider with a crafted free kick, which Pettit duly nodded in to make it 3-1. Manager Jim Ward took this opportunity to put Michael Yianni, returning from injury the previous week as a substitute at Bognor, back into action and he logically replaced Dean Grant in the right wing slot. Merstham also made substitutions as they chased the game, the second following a foul just outside the box by skipper Liam Quinn who was awarded a yellow card for his trouble. That free kick was gently floated in and as big centre back Liam Thomas ventured forward he found himself with enough space to head home pulling the score back to 3-2 and ensuring an energetic last 10 minutes to the match. With Tom Chapman replacing the labouring Joe Taylor up front he could have deservedly opened his senior account late on when his hard running found him racing through and he forced a fine save from Wilkinson. As the match entered injury time Chapman also set up a chance for either Pulman or O’Brien to double their personal tallies but Pulman failed to reach the ball whilst the later put his shot over. Pulman then lobbed the ball over the ‘keeper – and the bar – before the Rams made sure of a win when substitute Yianni staked his claim on a starting shirt next week as he beat the offside trap and chipped past the oncoming ‘keeper who could only palm the ball into the net with what was virtually the last act of the match. Reserve player Dan Hughes made his senior bow as he replaced the livewire Pulman deep into stoppage time but had little time to impact on the match today.

This outcome means that the Rams leapfrog Merstham and will be hoping to build on their last two positive results when they travel to Surrey to face relegation threatened Whyteleafe in a match that could see the Reds push further into the league’s top ten.

Ramsgate  :  Danny Twyman, Gareth Cornhill, Peter Wedgeworth, Tom Hickman, Liam Quinn (C), Ben Laslett, Dean Grant (Michael Yianni 56), Joe Taylor (Tom Chapman 80), Ian Pulman (Dan Hughes 90+4), Simon Pettit, Steve O’Brien    Unused Substitutes  :  Andrew Johnston, David Parkers (GK)

Goals  :  Pulman 37, O’Brien 42, Pettit 56, Yianni 90+4

Merstham  :  David Wilkinson, Dean Hamlin, Dean Gunner (Tommy Youle 68), Adam Moriarty (C), Liam Thomas, Adam Broomhead, Saam Tucknott, Fabio Saraiva, Harry Ottaway, Roscoe Dsane (Omar Folkes 78), Liam Wright (Louis Clark 87)    Unused Substitutes  :  Louis Hollingsworth, Katto Junior Mohammed

Goals  :  Dsane 21 pen, Thomas 80