It was long awaited and eagerly anticipated and in glorious Thanet Easter Monday sunshine, Ramsgate and Sittingbourne could not be separated as they shared four goals in front of a bumper Southwood holiday crowd.
Chris Harris showed his worth to the visitors with the Brickies’ two first half goals before the League’s top scorer Joe Taylor won and converted a penalty early in the second half before Joe Turner curled home a late equaliser to share the spoils.
The first half was all about the visitors after Harris reacted quickest to fire home after just two minutes – a deep corner was not dealt with and the veteran striker (starting his first game in eight weeks) brilliantly stroked the ball home.
The lead could have been doubled on the 15-minute mark but after brilliant approach play from Donvieve Jones, Gabby Piorkowski just couldn’t get over the shot and it flew in the big bank of travelling fans behind the goal.
The lead was though doubled on 23 minutes, and it was Harris again. Piorkowski had a shot blocked and as the ball was recycled to Harry Hope, the cross to the back post was perfect and asking to be headed home – Harris duly obliged by thumping home his header beyond keeper Tom Hadler.
Ramsgate huffed and puffed and had a couple of speculative efforts sail over and wide of Bobby Mason’s goal before Taylor was extremely fortunate only to see yellow for a horrible challenge on the Brickies keeper.
Just before the break the Brickies had another great chance. A ball was clipped and was met by Mitchell May, and the ball whistled inches past the Ramsgate right post with Hadler beaten.
If the first half belonged to the visitors, then the second belonged to the home side, although they did get a bit of help with the goal that got them back in the game as a long ball into the box saw Taylor tumble to the floor under Jones’ challenge – referee D’Urso though was in no doubt as he pointed to the spot and Taylor duly netted his 45th goal of the season, which incidentally is more than the bottom five sides in the division have managed as teams!
The home side dominated possession as the half wore on without really testing Mason and indeed the closest, they came was after a Chris Regis block fell to Alfie Paxman and his shot was deflected wide by another red shirt.
The equaliser came with just over ten minutes left as following a swift home break, the ball fell to Turner, who curled a great strike beyond a statuesque Mason and into the Sittingbourne net.
There were chances to win the game for both sides – Taylor nearly capitalised as the Brickies defence waited for a flag that did not come; Mason made a really brave save at his near post to thwart Paxman whilst Hadler made an equally vital save to deny Jones after the full back burst through.
Honours even which was just about right as Sittingbourne become just the third team this season to leave Ramsgate with any League points.
RAMSGATE – Hadler, Brefo, Stone (Christie), Jack Paxman, Taylor, Warren, Green, Alfie Paxman, Martin, Turner (Elito), Jadama
Subs – Parter, Anidugbe, Bioletti
SITTINGBOURNE – Mason, Jones, Graham, Piorkowski (Ilic), Tyrie (Black), Uyi (Arthur), Regis, Hope, Harris, Ayman, May
Subs – Snell, Parish
REFEREE – Mr D’Urso