A controlling display from Ramsgate means they have risen to third in the Ryman League Division One South after a 4-0 win over Three Bridges.

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, the Rams have started the current campaign impressively, gaining 23 points from 13 games meaning they started the day in the playoff places, just one place below their opponents who had an identical record.

Jim and Danny Ward made two changes from their Rams side who were knocked out of the Kent Senior Cup during the week, Peter Smith came in for Warren Schulz whilst Tom Loynes took the place of Kane Rowland.

Within the opening minutes of the match both teams had opportunities to take the lead, less than one minute into the game Three Bridges’ Steve Sargent picked up a loose ball in midfield before laying a pass off to his right into the path of John Lansdale, but the right midfielder’s powerful shot was tipped over by Luke Watkins.

Moments later the hosts were able to exploit the seemingly unprepared Three Bridges defence. After taking the ball towards goal, Aaron Quain’s cross was badly cleared into the feet of Toe Taylor who found the overlapping run of Jake Mackenzie who watched as his shot from close range was blocked.

After fifteen minutes of play the deciding moment of the first half occurred when, after seemingly beating Ramsgate’s offside trap, Lee Carney slid a placed effort past Luke Watkins. However, after a long discussion with his assistant, the referee went on to disallow the goal to the disgust of Three Bridges, meaning the game remained controversially goalless.

This may have been what caused the lapse in concentration from the visitors just five minutes later when a badly placed pass at the back allowed Tom Loynes to take control and hit a looping effort over the target.

Ramsgate soon established their dominance though and after twenty minutes a fast paced attacking move concluded with Ian Pulman finding Joe Taylor before the attacker coolly slotted a shot past Kieron Thorp for the opening goal of the game.

The Rams’ pressure went on and after Loynes’ intricate backheel found Jake Mackenzie the full back played a pass across the penalty area, only for the ball to be fired over by Peter Smith and soon after a shot from Luke Girt met the same fate.

Fifteen minutes after their first, Ramsgate were able to double their lead through Aaron Quain. Joe Taylor was able to intercept a badly times pass from Ashley Robinson before finding Quain on the left side who ended the quick move with a delicate high finish.

As half time approached Three Bridges became more frustrated, and this culminated in a red card for John Lansdale, after deliberately tripping Tom Loynes the midfielder seemed to stamp on his opponent, leaving no other option for the referee who quickly dismissed him, forcing the visitors to play the second half with a one man deficit.

The second half went on in the same way as the first- with Ramsgate continuing to create chances. Just five minutes into the half a fantastic run from Jake Mackenzie ended in disappointment asfter he lost balance and slid a shot wide before Luke Girt’s looping shot flew over.

Only thirteen minutes into the second half Tom Loynes, who had been dangerous all afternoon forced the goalkeeper off his line before sliding a pass across to Ian Pulman who easily converted his chance, giving the hosts a third.

The host’s dominance went on and within one minutes they could have scored another two! First Girt picked up a loose ball before firing just wide from long range and seconds after Pulman beat the offside trap, only for the pitch to slow down his run, forcing him to eventually lose control of the ball and hit a hopeful shot to the right of goal.

With time running out and their opponents accepting defeat, Ramsgate went in for a fourth and they got it in the first minute of added to wrap up the already certain three points. After coming on as a substitute Matthew Adams’ cushioned header fell to Joe Taylor to volley past Thorp from the edge of the area for his second of the afternoon. Resulting in Ramsgate’s largest win of the season so far.

That result puts the Rams up into third in the league table, five points behind Folkestone Invicta who have played two fewer games. Next week they will travel to Peacehaven and Telscombe before going to first placed Folkestone Invicta.

Ramsgate: Watkins, Mackenzie Wheatley, Kane, Humphrey (Rowland), Girt, Loynes (A Paxman), P Smith, Pulman (Adams), Taylor, Quain

Subs not used: K Smith, J Paxman

Three Bridges: Thorp, Mobsby (Brake), Daniel, Sargent, Donaghey, Pulling, Lansdale, Carney, Robinson (Garrod), Macvicar, Whitehead (Pemini)

Subs not used: Godfrey

Referee: Mr S Williams

Assistants: Mr V Anekwe, Mr R Claussen