20thoct03

Howells sees Ramsgate home

Ramsgate 2   Milton Athletic (Central) 1
MUSH Kent Youth League
Under 18 Plaaya Cup 1st Round
Sunday 19th October 2003
Match report by John Vahid, Ramsgate FC

Ramsgate Under 18s maintained their early season form with an impressive win against a very strong and physical Milton Athletic side from the Kent Youth League central division in the 1st Round of the Kent Youth League Cup on Sunday.

Ramsgate started the better and were holding their more experienced opponents until just before the half time whistle when the home defence allowed a corner to float in to the net unaided. Up until then chances for both sides were few and far between, although the visitors did have the benefit of the wind at their back.

Once again Ramsgate's manager was forced to make several changes, with three of his most influential players missing through injury or suspension. Recently signed midfielder Stuart Elliot replaced the injured Sam Phillips late in the first half and made a good first impression.

In the second half Ramsgate had the wind at their backs and began to push Milton deeper into their own half, and with 51 minutes on the clock a scramble in the Milton goal saw midfielder Matt Adams slide the ball home past a mass of players.

This was just the tonic the home side needed. From then on Ramsgate kept Milton on the back foot; the Milton keeper making numerous fine saves.

On 60 minutes striker Ross Howells replaced hard working Kenny Pratt.  Howells had only been on the pitch 5 minutes when he pounced on a loose ball, placing it past the oncoming keeper for Ramsgate to take the lead.

To their credit, Milton had the better of the last ten minutes, but Ramsgate held firm for a fine win. In the next round of the cup Ramsgate will be at home to Homesdale, to be played on Sunday 16th November.

The Under 18s are in cup action again this Thursday (23rd October) when they are at home to Dartford in the 2nd Round of the John Ullmann Cup, 7.45pm kick off. This Sunday, 26th October, Ramsgate Under 18s will again be at home with a league fixture against Ashford Town, 11am kick off. 
 
Ramsgate:    Lee Pilcher; Clayton Barnett; Danny Wisker; Keiran Morris; Emlyn Taylor; Matt Adams; Oliver Donohoe; Billy Grainger (Capt) (Tim Mcarthur 76 mins); Billy Summers; Kenny Pratt (Ross Howells 60 mins); Sam Phillips (Stuart Elliot 35 mins).