In this battle between Ryman League Division One North and South strugglers it was the visitors from the Kent Coast who came out on top with the only goal in a game high on effort, but sadly low on end product.

Cray started well surviving some heavy challenges from The Rams with Ian Daly having a header saved by Nick Shaw. As has happened many times in the last year despite looking good in the early stages The Wands conceded on Ramsagte’s first attack.

Daniel Stubbs hit a fierce drive across goal and Warren Schulz dived in to head home from close range on 16 minutes. The game drifted for a long spell with ragged play and neither side showing any composure on the ball, before late on in the half both sides created chances.

Kerry Kedze avoided some heavy tackles to deliver a couple of crosses that just evaded everyone in the area. Daly missed the target for Cray when well placed, while The Rams’ Aarron Quain had a shot well saved by Darren Behcet when one on one, before Shaun Welford and Kedze both fired wide for Gary Abbott’s side.

The second half was a scrappy affair with occasional chances at either end, Connor Heffernan had a shot deflected over for the visitors, while Welford and Daly both managed to miss from close range after a scramble in the box.

Welford just flicked a header wide from a free kick and Stubbs was off target for Ramsgate at the other end. Then the game was broken up with substitutions until sub Ira Jackson came on for The Rams and made a positive impact. Jackson’s first touch saw him drive towards goal before firing a shot against the foot of the post from 20 yards out.

Late in the game Cray threw everything at trying to find an equaliser, Hussein Isa’s free kick was fumbled by Shaw, but after several frantic attempts Ramsgate’s defence hacked the ball clear and the visitors secured their place in the next round of the Kent Senior Cup.

The Wands now head off to Weymouth on Saturday for their FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round game having already won two games in the competition to get there.

 

Cray: Behcet, Larin, Springett, Williams (Hunt 85), Lye, Fitzgerlad, Kedze, Fakinos, Welford (Hamici 61), Isa, Daly (Stone 70).

Subs Not Used: Beckett, Bah.

Ramsgate: Shaw, Sherman (Murray 68), Skinner, Hickman, Wheatley, Heffernan (Jackson 77), Schulz, Gundry, Stubbs, Quain (Woolley 63).

Subs Not Used: Ripley, Sharman.

Goal: Schulz 16mins (Ramsgate)

Match Rating: 1/5

Star Man:  Warren Schulz (Ramsgate)

Att: 60

Ref: Mr Irons