Kingstonian 1-2 Ramsgate. Ward: No-one at Ramsgate can score goals like Mo (EXCLUSIVE)

KINGSTONIAN 1-2 RAMSGATE
Sunday 17^th September 2006
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round
Stephen McCartney reports from Kingsmeadow

After seeing his side reach the first round proper of the FA Cup last season, Ramsgate boss Jim Ward was delighted that his side progressed through to the second qualifying round his term, winning this tricky tie against a very slick passing Kingstonian side.

Two stunning strikes from returning hero Mo Takaloo, taking his own personal goalscoring tally to six for the season, (he netted four in Maidstone United colours), sent the Thanet side through.

A twice taken penalty from Kingstonian’s Jamie Rose in the 90^th minute gave the impressive Ryman League Division One South hosts a deserved goal, after taking the game to their higher league visitors in the last twenty minutes.

Takaloo’s first goal, ten minutes before the break, was exceptional. Picking the ball up some 25-yards from goal, he turned to hit a right-footed shot which flew into the far corner, giving goalkeeper Luke Garrard no chance.

The 26-year-old striker doubled the lead after 59 minutes, latching onto a perfect defence splitting pass from Will Graham, and with his dangerous right-footed drove across Garrard and into the far corner 15-yards.

Takaloo gave Garrard a warning what he could do after just 50 seconds, following a cross from Michael Yianni on the right, but the goalkeeper made a fine block.

Ramsgate dominated the proceedings early on, creating many chances on a very lush playing surface on a warm Sunday afternoon, watched by the K’s highest crowd of the season.

Warren Schulz got past a defender on the by-line, cut the ball back to striker Shaun Welford, who drove a low shot past the near post.

Welford went close again when his shot from the edge of the penalty area, after a good run from Takaloo, flew just over the bar.

Stuart McIntyre’s side, however, created their first chance of the game after 22 minutes.

The impressive Daniel Morris forced a free kick after a foul by Ollie Schulz just half a yard from the penalty area.

Although Mazin Ahmed’s driven free kick struck the wall, he retrieved the ball, swung the ball into the area from the left, but Rose found Chris May with his header.

The Surrey side then enjoyed a good spell and went close within two minutes when Morris latched onto Martyn Lee’s long ball, but drove past the far post from ten yards.

But the Thanet side came desperately close to opening the scoring after 32 minutes.

Welford’s initial long throw was met by a looping header behind by K’s central defender Lee.

James Gregory’s corner, the first of the game, was cut back to Yianni, whose fierce right-footed drive from 25-yards crashed against the angle of right post and crossbar, past the diving Kingstonian goalkeeper.

But Rams took a deserved lead after 35 minutes as Takaloo proved he can still cut the mustard at Ryman Premier League level, with a clinical right-footed 25-yard drive, out of nothing, which found the far corner.

Chatham Town, who travel to Kingsmeadow next Saturday, should take note that Richard Taylor and Ahser Hudson can both hurl long throws into the box and Rose is a threat in the air.

But May, the former Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper, pulled off an excellent double save to thwart the impressive Morris on the stroke of half time.

The 20-year-old made a fine low block from Morris from close range and then made sure the striker’s next effort came off his body and dropped over the bar.

Kingstonian missed a gilt-edged chance to draw level after just 58 seconds into the second half.

Morris met Lee’s cross from the left with a firm header, which flew agonisingly past the near post.

But Takaloo’s second of the game, stunned the Kingsmeadow faithful after 59 minutes.

Both sides made changes with 21 minutes remaining and Rams substitute Stuart Vahid had a good chance to increase their lead.

Although he pushed fellow substitute Tommy Moorhouse off the ball, he stabbed the ball past the foot of the left post when he should have scored.

Kingstonian, however, increased their tempo for the remainder of the game, with former Beckenham Town star Dean Lodge causing problems.

After cutting in from the right, his left-footed shot lacked conviction, however, and rolled past the right upright.

Graham was denied by a fine reflex save by Garrard at his near post with just nine minutes remaining.

But Kingstonian deservedly pulled a goal back inside injury time through Rose’s twice taken spot-kick.

Gregory was penalised for upending Rose, and was booked for his troubles, but May guessed the right way, diving to his left, to push the right-footed penalty around the post.

But Rams’ joy was short lived, as Portsmouth referee Mr Ben Knight ordered a re-take, but this time Rose kept his composure and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

On other days, playing sides at their level, Kingstonian would have won the game. However, the gap between the Ryman Premier League and the first division is widening.

“I felt it was comfortable,” Rams boss Jim Ward said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“My goalkeeper mad a good double save in the first half, besides that he never made another save. He even saved a penalty that was given in the last minute.

“It was a good performance by the boys again. Tight, nice and solid - not much more to say.

“We played much prettier football at times but fair play to Kingstonian, they tried to take the game to us.”

Ward, meanwhile, was delighted his side were in tomorrow’s second qualifying round draw.

“Smashing! At least we’re in the draw, we’re in the hat again tomorrow. Superb. No doubt this week me and the chairman will watch a game some place, so yes, it’s good for the boys.

“They’re all disappointed that we gave away a goal at the end because that would have been four games in a row without letting a goal in, which is massive.”

Ward praised his two-goal hero Takaloo, a player who was criticised by fans that he couldn’t score goals at the higher level.

He said: “It’s funny. People have said he hasn’t got the pace for the Ryman Prem. Well, he was standing still when he hit both of them.

“He had the speed of thought in his head. I called it before he hit them both. Two great goals. We’ve got nobody else at the club who can do that.”