Steyning Town 0 Ramsgate United 1
So near yet so far. That has to be the story of the night as Steyning Town entertained title favourites and unbeaten Ramsgate FC
As has been the norm of late the Town produced a stirring second half performance that really deserved to come away with at least a point on an evening of high drama and great entertainment at the Shooting Field.
Lloyd Francis, Charlie Meehan and Harry Shooman all spurned golden chances in the last 20 minutes to bring the game level after Ramsgate had taken the lead from a corner shortly before the mark. However, it wasn’t to be on the evening and Ramsgate escaped with a clean sheet in the three points Probably the reason why they are the favourites for the title this season.
The first half had been a totally different story as Ramsgate dominated and oozed class in possession and created a number of good opportunities early on. However once the first 20 minutes was out the way they never really tested Stromberg-Clarke in the Town goal after that despite having plenty of territory. Howick, Da Costa and Weller all impressing defensively. Also the work rate, and defending from the front was a huge improvement from previous.
Steyning, during the first period especially. were more content to soak up the pressure through immense work rate, organisation and concentration, and hit the visitors on the break. The fast counter attack was also the reason for the numerous created chances during the latter period of the second half.
The match was marred by a couple of other incidents late on. First of all Billy Fuller was dismissed with a straight red for getting involved in a scuffle in the middle of the park. The Rams defender already on a yellow card had committed quite a nasty looking foul on Lloyd Francis which sparked the melee. However, he was lucky to not receive a straight red or even another yellow which meant Ramsgate finish the game with 11 players.
Also late in the game, Alfie Rogers collided with the pitch side hoarding and suffered a nasty looking lower back injury, which resulted in an ambulance been called after the final whistle. Alfie is now recovering and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Overall the evening was great entertainment for the crowd that came along to the ground, however studying not for the first time this season, came up slightly short. However many agreed this was the teams best performance of the season against a high quality outfit.
The club wish Ramsgate all the best in their title quest for this coming season.
Next up Burgess Hill away in the league on Saturday 3 pm kickoff. Lots of positivity to take forward from last night.
Town Stromberg-Clark Da Costa Howick Weller Shooman Francis Barnes Edwards Towning Stephenson Meehan
Subs used Rogers Murrain Fuller Not used Kaslauskas Osei
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