Ramsgate 1-1 AFC Wimbledon - We can live with the big boys, says Ward

Saturday 22nd December 2007

RAMSGATE 1-1 AFC WIMBLEDON
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 22^nd December 2007
Stephen McCartney reports from Southwood Stadium

Goalscoring machine Jon Main opened his goalscoring account for AFC Wimbledon today, as they were held to a draw at fortress Southwood Stadium.

The 26-year-old striker, who became AFC Wimbledon’s highest ever transfer when he moved from Tonbridge Angels for an undisclosed fee last month, levelled proceedings with thirteen minutes remaining.

But Ramsgate had more enough chances to collect all three points, playing against their big-spending opponents.

Striker Steffan Ball missed a penalty late in the first half before skipper Warren Schulz scored his sixth goal of the season to give the Thanet side the lead just five minutes into the second half.

Along with Main, there were some familiar faces in the Dons line up. Goalkeeper Danny Knowles (ex Welling United), Jake Leberl (ex Dover Athletic and Margate) and trio Mark De Bolla, Tony Finn and Rob Quinn who played for Gravesend & Northfleet.

Unfortunately for Ramsgate’s highest crowd of the season so far, the first half failed to live up to expectations and was pretty dull.

Main had the game’s first chance after seven minutes when he latched onto Luke Garrard’s through ball down the right-hand side, but his shot from sixteen-yards flew past the near post.

Steffan Ball squandered his first chance of the game within a minute when he couldn’t finish off a move involving Warren Schulz and Lee Minshull, lifting the ball over the advancing Knowles - but past the near post.

Fans had to wait until the 38^th minute for the game’s next chance – De Bolla blazing over his shot from the edge of the penalty area.

But Ball, who had three bites of the cherry to score, and despite stabbing the ball just past the foot of the left-hand post, from close in, was awarded a penalty.

However, Ball, playing as a lone striker, delighted the travelling fans, drilling his right-footed penalty wide of the left-hand post.

Ramsgate goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson prevented Main from scoring with a glancing header on the stroke of half-time, diving to his right to claw the ball out to prevent the former VCD Athletic and Cray Wanderers striker scoring with a rare header.

Long-range specialist De Bolla saw his right-footed shot sail just over Wilkerson’s bar with just 25 seconds into the second half.

But Ramsgate stunned their rivals by taking the lead with four second half minutes and 59 seconds on the clock.

Lee Minshull sparked the game into life when his cross found Warren Schulz unmarked at the far post and the Rams skipper stroked the ball into the bottom far corner to the delight of the Rams faithful.

It could have been even better had Andy Hadden’s long-range effort not been tipped over by Knowles within two minutes of the opener.

AFC Wimbledon substitute Finn, a threat down the left-hand side, delivered a free-kick after 61 minutes, which was knocked down by Marcus Gayle but Jason Goodliffe’s header looped into Wilkerson’s grateful arms.

Leberl’s long-range shot deflected over Wilkerson’s bar and from Finn’s resulting corner, Gayle powered a header past the near-post.

One Ramsgate fan shouted “how much?” after Main struck a wayward shot from 20-yards after 66 minutes, but it wasn’t going to be long before he equalised.

It would have been a different story had Minshull not stabbed his shot, at the other end, against the near-post five minutes later.

But Main was lurking at the far-post to add to the twenty goals that he scored for Tonbridge Angels, firing past Wilkerson after Finn whipped in a cross from the left.

With AFC Wimbledon threatening, Ramsgate almost hit them with a sucker punch.

Substitute Dan Dolton unleashed a left-footed drive, which brought a stunning low save by Knowles, who was relieved to see the ball spin past his post.

But a stunning double injury time save from Wilkerson, denying Main and his skipper, Goodliffe, ensured the points were shared as Ramsgate remain in fourth place – above their big-spending rivals’.

With Main and Gayle, who played for Jamaica in the French World Cup in 1998, as well as the likes of Wimbledon, Glasgow Rangers and Watford up front, Rams boss Jim Ward wishes he had the same budget as his counterpart, Terry Brown.

“We’re pleased that we’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with a big club like Wimbledon – but disappointed that we didn’t get the three points,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“Their two forwards were Jon Main, who they paid an undisclosed fee for and Marcus Gayle.

“So where does that leave my two centre halves? Nick Davis and Ollie Schulz have got plenty of experience amongst them but obviously not in that pay bracket.

“But it’s not all about that is it? That’s why people love their football so much.

“We’re organised – and honest - believe me Brownie was happy to get off with his point!”

Ward was pleased that his side created enough chances to win the game.

“We had four or five clean, clear-cut chances,” he said. “We also missed a penalty in the first half when it was nil-nil.

“Took the lead, maybe against the run of play a little bit in the second half, but then after that it was all us.

“They’re glad to get away with a point, that’s what Brownie said to me afterwards anyway!”

With his side in fourth place, with just one league defeat at fortress Southwood Stadium all season, Ward’s men are still five points clear of AFC Wimbledon, despite playing three games more than them.

But the Dundee born boss added: “A points alright against one of the top teams but you still want to hurt them as much as you can and get your three points, so a bit disappointed really.”

Despite being substituted after 66 minutes with a knock, Ward believes Michael Phillips will be fit enough to play against Thanet rivals Margate at Hartsdown Park on Boxing Day (1pm).

Stuart Vahid is also available for selection, having completed his one-match ban today, but Sam Vallance is expected to be out for another two months with ankle ligament damage.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk editor Stephen McCartney would like to thank Gemma Sterba for the chance to summarise live on BBC Radio Kent with her during today’s game.

Ramsgate: Paul Wilkerson, Laurence Ball, Dean Hill, Nick Davis, Ollie Schulz, Ben Laslett, Andy Hadden, Warren Schulz, Lee Minshull, Steffan Ball, Michael Phillips (Dan Dolton 66).
Subs: Ryan Harooki, Dan Tanner, Will Graham, Shaun Alliston.

Goal: Warren Schulz 50

Booked: Laurence Ball 24

AFC Wimbledon: Danny Knowles, Luke Garrard, Michael Haswell, Mark Beard (Sam Hatton 68), Jason Goodliffe, Anthony Howard, Steve Ferguson, Jake Leberl, Marcus Gayle, Mark De Bolla (Tony Finn 57), Jon Main.
Subs: Rob Quinn, Richard Jolly, Daniel Webb.

Goal: Jon Main 77

Attendance: 716
Referee: Mr David Buck (Istead Rise)
Assistants: Mr Gary Bryant (Folkestone) & Mr Jonathan Gooding (Ashford)