We'll finish higher than Margate for the first time in 47 years, says Ward

RAMSGATE are just five games away from finishing higher than their Thanet neighbours Margate for the very first time in 47 YEARS, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Rams climbed two places into fifth place in the Ryman Premier League table, following their 1-0 win over Margate at Southwood Stadium today.

Full-back Ashley Burton scored the only goal of the game early in the second half, and it was the red half of Thanet that claimed the local bragging rights.

A crowd of 1,210, the largest of the season at Southwood Stadium, saw the Blues squander chance after chance, especially from headers.

But Ramsgate’s Lee Minshull was released down the right and played the ball inside to Burton, who curled a left-footed shot from sixteen-yards into the top far corner.

It was a proud day for Ramsgate supporters, said Ward, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“I really feel great for my supporters, you know what I mean,” he said.

“We outnumbered them I think at least two to one today, supporters wise, which we’re entitled to because we’re at home.

“I was pleased for them we got the result (one fan came out of the boardroom to chant Red Army three times).”

Ward has given home-grown goalkeeper Shaun Alliston, 19, four games for the first team and his faith in him has resulted in the goalkeeper keeping three clean sheets in the games that he’s played during Paul Wilkerson’s four match ban.

“My keeper has played four games, let in one in, unbelievable!” said Ward. “Today, everything he done, he done properly, he’s distribution, he’s handling, everything about his game was superb!

“My three centre halves are responsible for that of course. I’ve got the three, Ollie Schulz, Dan Tanner and Nick Davies, I thought were immense today.”

Ward explained why goal-scorer Ashley Burton, who couldn’t hide his delight at the final whistle as he burst towards the home dugout to celebrate with Ward, has only started 12 games this season.

“Well, he’s been away at college all year,” said Ward. “We’ve had right-backs every year, I call them marauding right-backs.

“They’re encouraged to get into the box and have strikes and cross balls and do everything, cause havoc.

“Well, Ashley certainly does that and he deserved his goal today.

“Margate came here today and played a formation that tried to shut both out full-backs down and well, at the end of the day, my full-back scored the goal so I’m pleased for the boy.”

Ward added: “The conditions were terrible. If you look at their attempts to our attempts, I think our attempts were pure football. The goal that we got was, it will be close for one of the goals of the season. I think it was a great goal.”

With five games to go, Ramsgate, now occupying the final play-off berth, have plenty to play for.

They travel to Ashford Town (Middlesex) next Saturday before locking horns with AFC Sudbury in the Ryman League Cup Final on Wednesday, 2^nd April at Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium.

A trip to champions-elect Chelmsford City follows before the Rams end their campaign against Horsham (home), Hastings United (away), and at home to Boreham Wood on the last day of the season.

“Great isn’t it, a club like Ramsgate Football Club punching above their weight,” smiled Ward, who rubbed salt into Margate’s wounds.

He said: “Margate now are six points behind us. He’ll (Margate player-manager Robin Trott) probably be telling them “never say never” but they’re six points behind (us) with five games to go.

“I can’t see them making the fifth play-off spot, so I’d imagine they’re out of the play-off’s, we’re bang in there!

“We look forward to Ashford next week, who have got two games in hand over us and seven points behind so they’ve got to win two and draw one just to get level with us and we’ve got a better goal difference, so that’s difficult for them.

“If we beat Ashford, they’re gone! It’s another one out of the way and then we’ve got of course the great day out, a fantastic day out for the supporters and players.

“We’re going to play at Dartford’s brand new stadium in the Cup Final so it’s great times for the club.

“I’m pleased for everybody, the committee, especially the chairman who puts so much into it.

“Let’s hope it just doesn’t finish today. Let’s hope we can go on and get into those play-off’s, and well, Conference (Blue Square South), who knows?”

Ramsgate chairman, Mr Richard Lawson, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  afterwards, was a proud man after claiming the local bragging rights.

“It’s a fantastic day for the club,” he smiled.

A crowd of 1,210 saw Ramsgate enhance their play-off hopes with the single goal victory over the club that play just four and a half miles away.

It’s been 47 years since Ramsgate finished above Margate in league competition, something that Mr Lawson is fully aware off.

He said: “A freezing cold day and for once the Ramsgate support far outweighed the Margate support and long may it continue!

“Well, if we do it (finish above Margate) it will be absolutely massive! It’s been so many years that Ramsgate would have finished above Margate, if ever. I don’t know if it’s ever happened? You have to check the stats. But for me that will be a major benchmark for this football club.”

Ramsgate are splashing out around £20,000 on erecting stands at both ends of Southwood Stadium - with promotion into the Blue Square South in mind.

“We’ve got the working drawings back now and it’s just a case of getting everything fabricated and propping the stand up,” said Mr Lawson.

“It will be 22 metres long at the home end and 12 meters long at the away end and I think it will be quite good.”

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

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering the Ryman League Cup Final between Ramsgate and AFC Sudbury at Dartford's Princes Park Stadium on Wednesday, 2nd April 2008.