Ramsgate v Hastings United - Saturday 21st March 2009

Pre Match Report

“I’m Roger Sinden here at Southwood Stadium, Ramsgate where Hastings United visit Ramsgate ”

Hastings United encouraged their supporters with a much improved home performance last Saturday against Canvey Island, and in so doing ended their goal drought and gained three valuable points. A Sam Adams header from Lee Carey’s corner was followed by Carey’s free kick through the defensive wall, and the resulting maximum points eased United out of immediate  relegation danger.

The mid week performance at play off hopefuls  Carshalton Athletic again saw a battling display, and despite having conceded an early goal, United went on to share the points in a 2-2 draw. Gonnella and Ramsay registered with headers in an entertaining first half. Today sees them on their travels again and there can be no slip ups at relegation strugglers Ramsgate. The Kent side have recently been deducted four points for exceeding the number of short loan players that they could field, and this penalty has placed them second from bottom of the league. Hastings are two points clear of the drop zone and must ensure that they avoid defeat in order to keep those relegation jitters at bay.

Manager Tony Dolby  is likely to keep faith with the same players who have served him well during the last week, giving a further opportunity for Charley Side to partner Sam Adams up front, freeing up Scott Ramsay for defensive duties in the absence of the still injured Nathan Russell.

Roger Sinden for Saturday Sport at Southwood Stadium, Ramsgate

Match Report

Ramsgate  ( 0 ) Hastings United (1 )

A second half penalty by Sam Adams was sufficient to separate the two sides in a tense relegation fight which was bereft of constructive play for much of the game. The drying playing surface, with an end to end slope, was not conducive to a skilful game and Ramsgate shaded the first half with the slope in their favour.

The Hastings defence was stubborn and well marshalled, with Greg Nessling handling comfortably when the ball was crossed. Goal efforts were scarce with Ramsgate winning their first corner on 40 minutes and Hastings earning their first just before the break. The home side did register on 25 minutes but the referee cancelled out the effort for handball.

Hastings used the slope advantage to good effect and maintained sustained pressure after the break. The deadlock was broken on 73 minutes when Antonio Gonnellla picked out Matt Maclean who was felled in the penalty box. Sam Adams despatched the kick with ease and the self belief drained from the home side, still smarting from the deduction of four league points for playing too many loan players.

The last few minutes saw Ramsgate goalkeeper Jamie Taylor joining the strike force for corners leaving the defence stretched. Turner lost the ball whilst dribbling on the bye line to Hastings Lee Carey and felled him to avert a goal effort. His dismissal reduced the home side to 10 men and they must be relegation bound on this performance. Hastings, in contrast, with two wins and a draw in the last week look to have hit form at the right time, and the odds are surely on their survival now

Roger Sinden at Southwood Stadium, Ramsgate for Saturday Sport where it finished

Ramsgate ( 0 ) Hastings United ( 1 )