Ramsgate helped Faversham in the chase for Play-off places by holding Hastings to a draw so now next week is a showdown between 3 teams for the final spot, Faversham, Hastings & Corinthian Casuals.

The game took a while to get going as both sets of players came to terms with the windy & damp conditions. Hastings were the first to get going as in the 18^th minute they scored when Jack McLean on the left side of the area passed to Sam Cole who from 15 yards shot at goal but Luke Watkins fumbled it & it crept over the line.

Hastings were now enjoying lots of possession & in the 21^st minute Sam Crutwell picked up a loose ball & saw his shot from 20 yards fly past the post. Six minutes later they nearly doubled their lead when a Sam Adams corner was headed down for Zac Attwood who turned & saw his shot go agonisingly past the post.

Ramsgate finally had a chance when in the 29^th minute Joe Taylor on the left wing crossed into the area for Wayne Wilson who from 15 yards volleyed over the bar.

Two minutes later it was level which was a surprise as Ramsgate had not offered anything worthwhile up till now, Aaron Quain on the right crossed into the area where Taylor’s bullet header was superbly palmed away by Joe Taylor but it came out & hit Wilson & flew into the net, suddenly Ramsgate’s confidence grew & they controlled possession up to half time.

In the 48^th minute Hastings nearly regained the lead when McLean went on a mazy run from halfway went across the field & laid the ball at Chris Cumming-Bart’s feet & once in the area his shot whistled past the post.

In the 52^nd minute Quain took a free kick 35 yards out & forced Taylor to push it over the bar, a minute later Wilson’s corner was powerfully met by Luke Wheatley head & beat Taylor as it nestled in the back of the net.

For some teams especially those going for promotion this could have seen them demoralised & give up but Hastings kept going & in the 56^th minute a corner into the Ramsgate area was half cleared to McLean who in controlling it fell over but still managed to get his shot away & it went just past the post.

Four minutes later Adam’s free kick from 19 yards came back off the post. In the 64^th minute Hastings had their chance to equalise when Richard Davies was fouled in the area & a penalty given, up stepped Cole who blasted it straight down the middle but to high as it came back of the crossbar.

Six minutes later they were level when McLean on the edge of the area flicked the ball forward for Bright Temba who from 8 yards shot home.

Two minutes later Crutwell’s free kick was punched away by Watkins. Hastings were now going for the victory but Ramsgate were relying on breakaways & in the 74^th minute Jack Penny tried his luck from 30 yards forcing Taylor to save it at the second attempt.

Hastings had two more chances to get three points firstly in the 77^th minute Adams free kick was pushed around the post & a minute later a corner came back off the crossbar & came out to McLean whose shot was pushed around the post.

The rest of the game saw Hastings trying their hardest to get a winner while Ramsgate defended for their lives.

 

RAMSGATE:

1. WATKINS 2. J.McKENZIE   3. J.PENNY (74)  4. J.KANE   5. L.WHEATLEY  6. L.GIRT  7. O.GRAY  8. W.WILSON (74) 9. K.ROWLAND 10. J.TAYLOR  18. A.QUAIN (62)

SUBS USED:  17. T.LOYNES (62)  15. S.BUTCHER (74)  16. N.SALISBURY (74)

SUBS NOT USED:  12. M.ADAMS  14 K.SMITH

BOOKINGS:  9. K.ROWLAND (55)  5. L.WHEATLEY (62)  3. J.PENNY (72)

 

HASTINGS UNITED:

1. TAYLOR 2. R.DAVIES  3. S.COLE  4. S.JOHNSON   5. J.SMITH   6. O.ROWE  7. C.CUMMING-BART (53) 8. S.ADAMS 9. Z.ATTWOOD  10. S.CRUTWELL  11. J.McLEAN (84)

SUBS USED:  15. B.TEMBA (53)  12. T.RICHARDSON-BROWN (84)

SUBS NOT USED:  14. L.WILSON  17. S.RAY  18. K.SARBONY

BOOKINGS:  4. S.JOHNSON (52)

 

REFEREE:  Mr G.WARREN

ASSISTANTS: Mr J.NAZARI  &  Mr P.GEORGIOU

ATTENDANCE: 305