RAMSGATE 60+ vs CANTERBURY MARINERS WALKIN
3 - 2
19 November 2023
Away league match played on 19 November 2023.
Kicked off at 11:00 AM
3-2
vs RAMSGATE 60+
Away league match
The team started well against a strong Ramsgate side that have recently won the 60s+ tournament at Maidstone. We pressed high and the majority of the game was played in the midfield and both sides being restricted to long range attempts which both keepers were equal to.
Mike was keeping their defence busy with Nar, George and Andy all supporting well. Unfortunately, as it was looking like it was going to be a scoreless first half, a speculative shot from Ramsgate's left rebounded back from the pitch surround beside the goal, hit Jan on the back and trickled over the line. We did push to get a quick reply but to no avail and we went in One Nil down.
Fresh legs were introduced at half time with a view of offering more mobility whilst keeping the same shape. Mike was getting better support wide from Cedric who made several good moves inside but was well marshalled by their defence.
The discipline of both sides was poor throughout with the game being frequently stopped for running and contact. The broken game seemed to benefit Ramsgate. Following a block from one of their free kicks, the ball broke to them and a low shot beat Jan into the corner through Colin's legs.
We pushed hard looking again for a quick response. We forced their defence to sit deeper and our movement soon paid off. Mark moved to the left dragging a defender with him, who consequently strayed into his own goal area. The resulting penalty was clinically despatched by Mike and we were back in it.
A lack of discipline continued to plague the game. We game away too many free kicks and eventually we paid the price. They were awarded one right in front of goal and we switched off. We failed to pick up our men and a quickly taken kick found 3 or 4 of their players in the open and the resulting strike ended up in the back of our net.
We kept playing the ball up to Mike who was finding he was able to regularly beat their tiring defence. On one occasion, he rolled his defender and hit a strong low strike that beat their keeper to his left and nestled in the corner of the net.
We gave everything to try and get the equaliser with shots from Mike and Mark being thwarted by their defence. Right at the end, we came agonisingly close to scoring when George's strike went just wide.
Despite our efforts they held out and the game finished 3 - 2 in Ramsgate's favour.
Thank you to the efforts of the team today who all gave everything.
Thank you also to the supporters that turned up give the best vocal encouragement.
Paul Jones
Manager