Ramsgate ended Chatham Town’s unbeaten run in emphatic style as they romped into the FA Cup second qualifying round with a 5-1 win at the Sports Ground.
Chatham started the quicker of the two teams as in the ninth minute Che Krabbendam put Kristian Campbell in on the left wing, he cut inside into the area and from 10 yards his shot hit the side netting.
Then in the 15th minute Ramsgate with their first effort took the lead when a free kick wide on the right was floated in and Tuan Jadama headed in from 6 yards.
Ramsgate were now taking charge of the game as in the 24th minute former Gills captain Lee Martin saw his 25 yard free kick saved by Ben Bridle- Card.
Four minutes later disaster struck for Chatham as Matt Bodkin’s back pass went straight to Joe Taylor who ran into the area, went round Bridle-Card and from five yards smashed into the net.
Chatham were in shock this was the first time for ages that they had been two down but in the 41st minute they nearly got a goal back which would have been an injustice to Ramsgate, Bodkin on the right got to the by-line, crossed to the back post where debutant Tommy Fagg was but his header from five yards went just past the post.
Half time arrived and Kevin Hake would have some harsh words for his team as they had not got going while Ben Smith would be asking for more of the same.
The second started with Chatham making two substitutions and to begin with they made a difference as in the 51st minute Chatham got a goal back when a short corner from Krabbendam to Ben Allen who passed back to Krabbendam whose low cross found Fagg at the near post got a slight touch to beat Tom Hadler game on but as Chatham tried to retrieve the ball the Ramsgate team denied them it a scuffle incurred with Dan Johnson and Campbell booked.
In the 58th minute saw the miss off the season so far when Jordy Robbins on an overlap saw his low cross evade everyone but Ashley Nzala at the back post but from three yards he skied his shot over the bar when it seemed easier to score this would be pivotal in the game.
A minute later a throw in to Fagg who chested it down his volley from 25 yards went just over the bar. In the 66th minute another chance went a begging when Ollie Hobden’s cross into the area found Fagg but his header went wide.
Ramsgate had weathered the storm, in the 72nd minute scored their third when Alfie Paxman on the left crossed into the area for Taylor who unopposed headed in from six yards game over.
In the 82nd minute Ramsgate scored their fourth and what a goal it was when Bode Anidugbe on the left just ran at the defence who let him run into the area and from 10 yards slid the ball past Bridle-Card.
To rub salt into the wound Ramsgate got a fifth in the 93rd minute when Anidugbe again ran through the Chatham defence, shot home from ten yards.
The final whistle went and Chatham had been humiliated by Ramsgate. Kevin Hake afterwards was not a happy bunny and made it clear that some of the players would not play for Chatham again, this was maybe a bit harsh as Ramsgate had come with a plan and executed it brilliantly.
Chatham Town:
- B.Bridle-Card 2. K.Campbell 4. J.Robins 6. D.Beckwith 7. A.Nzala 9. T.Fagg (Debut) 10. B.Allen (63)
15. S.Cooper 16. C.Brodie (45) 18. M.Bodkin (45) 20. C.Krabbendam
Subs Used: 2. O.Hobden (45) 14. N.Bobomurodov (45) 11. C.Mckenzie (63)
Subs Not Used: 12. J.Taylor 17. S.Sanogo
Bookings: 9. T.Fagg (31) 3. K.Campbell (53)
Ramsgate:
- T.Hadler 3. J.Parter(68) 5. D.Johnson 6. B.Anidugbe 9. J.Taylor 10 J.Green (42) 11. A.Paxman
14. M.Elito (81) 15. L.Martin 18. S.Christie 20. T.Jadama
Subs Used: 12. F.Oliver (42) 8. J.Paxman (68) 4. J.Ellul (81)
Subs Not Used: 2. T.Holden 13. A.Simmons 17. M.West
Bookings: 11. A.Paxman (17) 19. T.Hadler (90)
Referee: Mr. P.Statton
Assisstants: Mr. L.Morley & Mr. B.Al Shaikh
Att: 1230
Images courtesy of Chatham Town FC