It's about time we removed those Staines, says Ward - EXCLUSIVE

RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward is upbeat with the prospect of bringing Blue Square South football to Southwood Stadium for the very first time in the club’s history, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Rams confirmed their play-off place on the last day of their 42-match Ryman Premier League campaign on Saturday, by finishing fifth.

Hendon’s home defeat at the hands of local rivals Wealdstone, and the Rams’ 5-0 home romp over Boreham Wood, sealed the Thanet’s side play-off place.

Rams boss Jim Ward, meanwhile, insists his side will travel to Staines Town tomorrow night in confident manner, although he was sorry to see one of his football friends suffer the heartbreak of relegation.

“I felt sorry for them because their chairman, Danny Hunter, is a good pal of mine, we go back years, he’s a good man,” Ward said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the BIG game.

“They were really upbeat before the game, (of avoiding relegation), well, unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”

Ward was delighted with the performance of his side, and insists they go into the play-off semi-final showdown at Wheatsheaf Park as favourites.

“We were superb,” Ward said. “I’m going to the ground now to watch the DVD. Everyone has seen the DVD, saying it was Match of the Day stuff.

“Our first goal, scored by Sam Jones after four minutes, was ten passes and it ended up a tap in - it was just a great move.

“How it took us so long to score again, I don’t know? “In eight minutes, four minutes before half-time and four minutes after, we scored another four.

“To be fair, I don’t know what the stats were, but it could have been any score you wanted!”

Remember that Ramsgate were playing Kent League football in 2005 and are on the brink of playing at their highest ever level when the new season kick’s off in August.

And Ward insisted: “We go into it with a relaxed mood, without a doubt.”

Ward believes Staines will come unstuck when it really matters.

He said: “Staines have played an awful lot of games in the past few weeks. Have they got another two in them? I don’t know!

“What I do know, we’re flying and playing some great stuff. I wouldn’t want to play against us at the moment.

“We’ll go and play the game and whatever comes up, comes up.

“What we will be is positive. Danny (Ward) always says we’re always at our best when we’re right on it and the application is right - we will be chasing them!”

Ward doesn’t mind the extra travelling in the Blue Square South next season, should they clinch promotion on Saturday.

“We’ve got a lot further to go on a Tuesday night next season, if we win the play-off’s,” he said. “We’re two wins from the Conference. It’s within touching distance, isn’t it?

Ward revealed that he is at full-strength ahead of the Wheatsheaf Park showdown, but he knows the hosts will pose his side problems.

“They’re a good footballing side,” warned the Scot. “I know how they’ll play and know their strengths and weaknesses.”

But Ward is using everything in the book to ensure his side win tomorrow night - don’t forget the game will go to penalties if scores are level after extra time.

He said: “They came second but there’s a lot of times when the team that finish second don’t get promoted!

“I know what they’re all about. I’ve seen them and spoke to people about it.

“It’s the same as a Cup and to be fair there’s only one team in the premier that’s won a semi-final and let’s hope that we can get ourselves into the (play-off) final.

“This takes us into unchartered waters. I think we’ll be alright, I really do. I’m confident in the boys, the boys’ won’t freeze. We’ve played in so many big games this year, so have Staines.

“It takes somebody to go on a run that we’ve been on. We’ve only lost one in the last ten, I think.

“Tonbridge, who finished eighth, for me, were unlucky. They were just a couple of games too far. You can’t sustain the run for ever. Staines have done it, can they keep doing it?

“They beat us twice, 1-0 (home), 2-0 (away), it’s very difficult to beat the same team three times - we owe them one.”

Subject to our internet connection, which of late has been temperamental, www.kentishfootball.co.uk aim to provide LIVE COVERAGE of this game.

Visit Ramsgate’s website: www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

Staines Town v Ramsgate
Ryman Premier League Play-Off Semi-Final
Tuesday 29^th April 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Wheatsheaf Park, Wheatsheaf Lane, Staines, Middlesex TW18 2PD