RAMS CUP HEROES: My players stood up to the plate, says proud Ward - EXCLUSIVE

The Rams became the first Kent side to lift the Ryman League Cup after beating AFC Sudbury 5-4 on penalties after the game at Dartford finished goal-less after 120 minutes of football.

Goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson, 33, kept the Thanet side in the game with some crucial stops but saved his best for last.

Nervous AFC Sudbury full-back Shane Wardley was the only player to miss from the penalty spot as his penalty was saved by Wilkerson, diving low to his left.

And when Ramsgate striker Stuart Vahid smashed home the tenth penalty high into the net, this sparked wild celebratory scenes.

“I never got home until three o’clock,” Ward, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk just before 6 o’clock this evening said.

“The scenes were fantastic at the bar back at Ramsgate. All the local players and committee and all sorts (were) there.”

Reflecting on the game itself, Ward said: “Cup finals are never classics are they? I felt there was good football played and certainly lots of exciting football played. The ball was in both boxes an awful lot.”

However, what you get with Ramsgate is a TEAM that will go through brick walls for each other.

“Paul Wilkerson, well I thought he had a great game,” praised Ward. “I thought Nick Davis, Andy Hadden and Stuart Vahid were our four best players but I didn’t have a bad player. We had a team, that’s what we are.”

Ward, who was squashed to the ground by his jubilant players inside the penalty area in front of ecstatic Ramsgate fans, is expecting his side to spoil Chelmsford City’s promotion party on Saturday.

The Essex side only need a point to get their hands on the Ryman Premier League title but the Rams are ready to gate-crash their party.

Ward said: “This set of players have stood up to the plate. We had to beat Margate, a lot bigger club than us, and although they’re in a lower division people say Sudbury are a bigger club than us but we won both of them.

“Sudbury are a good side all right. They were a different team than played against Bury Town. They played with much more commitment last night. He must have one hell of a squad if he had three or four players missing.”

Ramsgate would love nothing more than to travel to Melbourne Park and produce another giant killing.

The Rams are currently in sixth place in the table and are just one place behind Horsham as many clubs are fighting for that final play-off berth.

“To be honest I don’t care about Chelmsford. We’re going there to get three points,” said Ward. “If we get three points Saturday, we’re right in it. What we do know is we will give it a right good go!”

When Chelmsford defeated Tonbridge Angels courtesy of a late controversial goal last weekend, Angels boss Tommy Warrilow admitted that the rest of the division cannot compete with the strength of depth that Chelmsford and AFC Wimbledon have at their disposal.

And Ward said: “I need strength in depth more than anything else. I know I’ve got good enough players here but the level of commitment they give me is second to none and they’re always willing to learn.

“I just (need) depth in all positions. That all comes from money and we don’t have the money and we have to get on with it.”

But what the Rams do have is heart and with the Cup heroes at full-strength, Chelmsford’s party may just have to wait for another day.

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

Chelmsford City v Ramsgate
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 5^th April 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Melbourne Park, Salerno Way, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2EH