Isthmian League Division One South East leaders Ramsgate moved up to a staggering 83 points on Tuesday night with a superb performance away at Broadbridge Heath.
Cheered on by a large away support, The Rams started in positive fashion attacking down the slope, but it was the home side who created the first chance when Callum Dowdell latched on to a cross from the left on the edge of the area, but fired his shot just over the bar.
Joe Taylor then forced two great saves from the home keeper Alfie Hadfield with powerfully struck shots, before The Bears took a surprise lead on 15 minutes when another break upfield came to Dowdell and this time he coolly took the ball round Tom Hadler and chipped it into the empty net for 1-0.
Ramsgate responded by pressing even more, Roarie Deacon’s cross was headed towards goal by Joe Elull, but Hadfield made another good save. The Rams eventually drew level on 19 minutes, when Elull had another header saved, but this time Tijan Jadama pounced on the rebound to crash home the equaliser.
Two minutes later Ramsgate went in front when Alfie Paxman crossed for Taylor to sweep the ball home from ten yards for 1-2. Broadbridge came under even more pressure from there, and it was 1-3 four minutes later when Deacon’s corner was powerfully headed home by Jay Leader in a crowded area.
Taylor headed a good chance wide soon after and Lewis Gard had a shot saved by Hadfield, before things settled down and the home side came back into the game, Dowdell having an effort saved by Hadler late on.
The second half saw Broadbridge Heath make a positive start, despite missing several players though injury and having to make early substitutions they built some momentum, Louis Evans firing over from range.
Young sub Eugene Moteane showed some great touches down the right and the whole side looked to be positive and press in numbers. It wasn’t until the 76th minute that the game was killed off, when Ramsgate built up a head of steam again, after Paxman put a looping volley just over the bar, he made it 1-4 when he latched on to Jadama’s excellent pass and slotted the ball low into the far corner of the net.
Then in injury time Ramsgate sealed things off with a sublime goal, when sub Kai Garrett lobbed Hadfield from the halfway line, the ball dipping just under the bar to the delight of the away fans.
The win puts Ramsgate six points clear of Sittingbourne in second ahead of their home game with East Grinstead Town on Saturday, while Broadbridge Heath sit in thirteenth as they head to Three Bridges.
Broadbridge – Hadfield, Fuller, Terry, Marino, Sim (Parmiter 39, Staight 63), Peters, Dowdell, Napper, Goldson (Moteane 22), Hay (Barlow 85), Evans (Whitelaw 59).
Ramsgate – Hadler, Deacon (Garrett 85), Clifford, Leader, Elull, Munday, Gard (Barnes 69), Jadama, Ajayi (Aibangbee 70), Taylor, Paxman. Bioletti, Newcombe.
Goals: BHFC – Dowdell 15mins. RFC – Jadama 19, Taylor 21, Leader 26, Paxman 76, Garrett 93mins.
HT 1-3 FT 1-5
Att: 212
Referee: Gerry Heron