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Ramsgate's late show continues

Ramsgate 1 Hythe Town 1
Takaloo 88 Hayes 12

Att 113
by Colin Aris

Ramsgate and Hythe Town shared the opening ten minute exchanges in the searing heat at Southwood Stadium last night. But on twelve minutes when Ollie Schulz lost the ball in a forward forage Hythe's defence launched a long ball through
the middle of the Ramsgate defence. Ex Ram Ian Hayes was the first and quickest to react as he slipped between two defenders and lobbed the ball over the advancing Twyman in the Rams goal for Hythe's opener.

Ramsgate responded immediately forcing Hythe onto the back foot, and had what looked like a clear cut penalty denied. Takaloo was clearly pushed to the ground inside the box as he received the ball from Ovard in the 14th minute.

The Rams continued to take the game to the opposition and had the Hythe defence scrambling the ball to safety on numerous occasions. A goal line clearance from a Sutter effort and an excellent full stretch save from Williams in the Hythe goal of greatest note. Twyman who had been a virtual spectator since the Hythe goal, was called upon to make a brilliant near post stop from a clever Hythe free kick that left Godden clear on the right. That was to be the last effort of
any real note from Hythe as the Rams continued to dominate, but failed to break the defensive barrier.

The second half start was delayed with a failed floodlight, both teams accepted the situation and decided to continue the game.

Hythe were once again forced to defend in numbers as the Rams relentlessly besieged their goal. A 49th minute effort from Guiver was ruled out for offside. Two minutes later his close range header was well saved. On 53 minutes it seemed
the Rams must score, Dean Yoraths effort crashed onto the crossbar, the rebounding ball fell to Ovard who blasted the ball into the melee of players in the six yard box, the ball fell to Takaloo whose effort was bundled away for another Ramsgate corner. The Rams tried injecting more pace into the attack with Aaron Robinson replacing John Ovard. But still the away defence held firm.

Hythe lost Scott Thomas for a needless second yellow card in the 75th minute, trying to waste time he hoofed the ball away after a free kick had been awarded. Hythe's ten men continued to thwart all the Rams efforts until the last two
minutes. Roy Guiver received the ball wide on the right his, low hard cross was met beautifully by Takaloo, his volley giving the Hythe keeper no chance.

Ramsgate continued to push forward looking for the elusive winner, and they and their supporters thought they'd got it in the 90th minute when a Schulz header left Williams stranded, but the ball screamed agonisingly just inches wide.

A 1-1 draw keeps the Rams undefeated and level with the other top teams in the division but this was two points lost.

Ramsgate: Twyman, Hickman, Ovard (Robinson), Yorath, O.Schulz, Vahid, Morris (W.Schulz), Gregory, Guiver, Takaloo, Sutter. Subs not used Brown, Sheridan, Downer

Hythe Town: Williams, Yianni, Thomas, Miller, D.Porter, S.Porter, Fisk, Widnall, Godden (Robertson), Brazier (Walmsley)