Ward confident of upsetting in-form leaders Dover Athletic

RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward is pleased to have secured the services of striker Jay May - albeit on a month’s loan from Blue Square South side Bromley, writes Stephen McCartney.

The striker joined the Hayes Lane club in the summer after helping Dartford clinch the Ryman League Division One North title last season.

May, who has also played for Tonbridge Angels, formed a formidable strike partnership with Brendon Cass, whilst playing for Tony Burman‘s side, and Ward, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, believes Mo Takaloo will benefit alongside the loan signing.

“I’ve been chasing him for a while,” said Ward. “He’s a good target man, a good player, so a good acquisition for us.”

May came off the bench after 51 minutes of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Staines Town and set up Takaloo’s sixth goal of the season.

“He was superb, he set the goal up for Takaloo,” added Ward. “He’s just a good centre forward. He’s been around for enough years so I’m looking forward to working with him for a month - let’s hope it’s longer than that.”

Ward was pleased with his side’s performance against Staines Town - the first time the two sides have met since the west Londoners side won the play-off semi-final at the end of last season.

“Both managers would argue the fact we should have won,” expressed Ward. “Probably a draw was a fair result.

“Both goals that were scored wouldn’t have been out of place in the Premiership - they were both great goals.”

Speaking about top-scorer Takaloo, Ward added: “He’s been working his socks off and the harder he works, the luckier he seems to get.”

Ward is expected to be without Ben Brown (bruised shin) and Ben Laslett (foot) for tomorrow night’s trip to in-form table-toppers, Dover Athletic.

Andy Hessenthaler’s side have won all of their last seven games, but Ward is confident his side can spring a surprise.

“We’re going over there looking forward to it,” Ward said. “It’s why you want to be in this division.

“Dover are massive.  There will be at least 1,000 people there. We’ll take 100-150 there and my players are looking forward to meeting the players that Dover have nicked off us.

“They’ve won seven in a row and it’s about time someone put an end to that. If I didn’t believe it was going to be Ramsgate, I’d be a poor manager and I don’t think I am!”

Ward confirmed that defender Ashley Burton has moved to university in Portsmouth but is still registered with the Thanet club, although he’s struggling with a hamstring injury at present.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

Visit Dover Athletic’s websites:  www.doverathletic.com - Visit www.dafctv.co.uk on Wednesday for match highlights