Rams assistant warns Thanet foes Margate: We're going to give someone a heavy defeat! - EXCLUSIVE

RAMSGATE assistant manager Danny Ward slammed the heavy handed approach that was dished out by Leyton’s players during their 3-0 win in east London yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Thankfully, Ramsgate’s players escaped with only cuts and bruises and no serious injuries, against a club that shouldn’t be gracing in the Ryman Premier League.

Doomed Leyton have been rooted to the foot of the table all season and will be gracing the Ryman One North in August, having picked up four wins and four draws this season.

And their thuggish behaviour certainly puts off the fans as only 63 watched their 28^th league defeat of the season.

The Rams opened the scoring after just two minutes, courtesy of midfielder Lee Minshull, who scored his fourth of the season.

A second was added by defender Nick Davis after the Leyton goalkeeper had been dismissed for violent conduct against Stuart Vahid.

Leyton’s woes increased during the second half when Andrew Thomas was dismissed for a second yellow card, just before Dean Hill scored the third.

“Very good win in difficult conditions,” Danny Ward said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk this lunchtime.

“We told the lads before the game we wanted a professional performance from them and that’s what they gave us.

“We were intimidated yesterday with tackles that shouldn’t been seen in a Ryman Premier League match.

“They had two sent off and quite easily could have had four or five sent off. The referee done well to keep control of the match and that’s what I said to my players.

“Our players could have easily got involved in things with the amount of high tackles and off the ball incidents that we’re going on.

“The main thing we done was to get the three points, another three goals on goal-difference and we got away with no injuries. Lots of cuts and bruises and stud marks but nothing serious.

“They had some good players but all they wanted to do was argue and fight.

“They should have had four or five sent off. The officials done very well. It was frustrating to keep a lid on things.

“We got away with no injuries, which was the main thing.

Despite the hostile environment that they faced, the younger Ward brother was pleased that the Rams kept their play-off hopes alive.

With Chelmsford City looking as though they’ve clinched the title, and AFC Wimbledon consolidating second, there’s still three play-off places up for grabs.

They are currently occupied by AFC Hornchurch (58 points), Staines Town (56) and Horsham (56), but Hendon (55) and Ramsgate (55) are closely behind waiting to pounce.

All attention now turns to the Thanet derby at Southwood Stadium against Margate.

The Rams have picked up 35 points at home this season and Ward vows to defeat their Thanet rivals tomorrow (1pm).

Groundsman Martin Jefferys is currently working on the pitch to make sure the showdown, which will attract a crowd of over 1,500, goes ahead.

“A huge game but I’ve been saying for weeks, one of these weeks we’re going to score half the chances we’re making and we’re going to give someone a heavy defeat,” promised Danny Ward. “Hopefully it will be Monday!

“Yesterday we could have scored ten, or more than that. We scored three, happy with that.”

Both rivals shared a point in the Boxing Day game at Hartsdown Park and the return match will probably be a cagey affair.

“It will be a tight game but we can’t go in with much better form at the moment,” said Danny Ward. “We had a bit of a bad spell, had a clear the air meeting, won the next four games after that, conceded only one goal and scored eight goals in the process.”

Explaining why the Rams needed to clear the air, Ward added: “We had a couple of performances that weren’t up to scratch but we just cleared the air, explained to the people where we are, where we came from and where we want to be and that’s the Conference South.”

Both sets of supporters are desperate that their side get one over their archest of rivals.

And Danny said: “I’m only worried what we do. We play to our ability, we’ll win the game.

“We’re at Ramsgate, we’re at Southwood. We’ve got a very good record here and we expect to win the game. If we play to our normal level of performance, we’ll win the match.”

A crowd of just 310 witnessed Margate throw away a 2-0 lead against Wealdstone before having to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw.

And Danny Ward said: “I read their match report and they only had 300 people there, which is very surprising as they’re going for a play-off spot.

“I would think there will be 1,500 people there tomorrow, that’s what we’re catering for. Hopefully the snow will stop and the sun will come out.”

With the club playing in-form AFC Sudbury in the Ryman League Cup Final at Dartford’s Princes Park on Wednesday, 2^nd April, there is still a lot for the Rams to play for.

Danny said: “We’ll do everything to get the game on. We want to win our last 7 games. The play-off positions is still in our hands, it’s down to us. But we’ll still take one game at a time and the next game’s Monday.

“There’s no easy games in this league, it’s a proper league. On the day most teams can beat any team.

“Everyone’s fighting for something, champions, play-off place or relegation or to finish higher than their neighbours.

“The whole division’s been only a matter of points.

“It’s a good standard, there’s a lot of teams spending a lot of money in this division. We’re one of the least spenders but one the day anyone can beat anybody.

“We can’t afford to bring players in but others can. We can’t do that, we have to go for youth but it’s been one of the tightest division’s I’ve been involved in.”

Experienced goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson serves the final of his four match suspension so home-grown Shaun Alliston keeps his place.

“He’s played the last three games and only conceded one goal, so whose to say Paul will come straight back in the side anyway?” added the assistant manager.

Listen to BBC Radio Kent for regular second half updates of the Thanet derby on their Sports Show from 2pm.