Ramsgate undeservedly suffered their first defeat under new boss Justin Luchford at Redhill on Tuesday night despite dominating possession and chance on goal in what Luchford regarded as the best performance he has seen his side put in so far since joining the club.

Luchford praised his players’ application, work ethic and desire and but for a soft penalty award felt his side looked comfortable enough not to concede. Despite conceding, and losing, from a penalty, Luchford was pleased to have gone three games without conceding from open play.

Starting positively, Ramsgate created the opening chances of the game. After four minutes The Rams’ Laurence Ball headed a free kick wide from six yards out and shortly after the visitors’ Tom Chapman headed a good chance wide after good work by Curtis Robinson on the left wing.

On 16mins The Rams almost conceded when Redhill’s Niall Egan ran through on goal. Despite Egan beating the advancing ‘keeper Nick Shaw to the ball on the edge of the box, he could not prevent the ball running out of play for a goal kick.

The Rams then fell behind on 22mins; a needless tackle just inside the penalty area on Marcus Elliott left referee Ian Crowhurst in no doubt to award a spot kick. Elliott stepped up to convert the penalty, sending Shaw the wrong way.

The Rams were unlucky not to equalise on 33mins. Ian Pulman beat the offside trap and the advancing ‘keeper Greaves to the loose ball to the left side of the penalty area only to see his attempted lob come back off the crossbar.

The Rams continued to test the home sides resolve and on 40mins Chapman’s mazy run ended with a snapshot just side of Greaves’ right hand post from close range.

Inside the opening minute of the second half the hosts almost doubled their lead but Gavin Gordon’s scuffed shot failed to trouble Shaw.

On 55mins, good work from Beech and Chapman on The Ram’s right saw Pulman’s effort from 6yds go narrowly wide of Greaves’ left hand post. Moments later Pulman again found himself bearing down on goal and despite striking the ball well, it was straight at the hosts ‘keeper. The rebound fell straight to Pulman whose effort looped high into the air but off the top of the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

Continuing to cause problems out wide, Chapman was almost rewarded when cutting inside from the right touchline, forcing a good save from point blank range by Greaves with Sherman’s follow-up failing to test the hosts’ defence.

On 76mins a thorough ball by new signing and substitute Jon Main found Pulman in on goal but his weak shot was easily taken by Greaves.

Shortly after, Redhill’s Gordon turned well 20yds from goal firing a vicious half volley just wide of Shaw’s right hand post – Shaw was unmoved.

On 83, Redhill’s Moto curled an effort wide of Shaw’s left hand post from 20yds after good work by Egan on the left – The opportunity arising on the break after a clearance from a Ram’s free kick just outside the hosts’ penalty area.

The Rams’ Greg Skinner then forced a good save from the watchful Greaves from a curling free kick taken on the right side of the hosts’ penalty area.

In the final act of a pulsating game The Rams’ substitute Schultz hit the post from close range after an in-swinging corner on the left – In the melee that ensued The Rams’ claims for a penalty for what appeared to be a genuine case of handball were denied, with the referee blowing the final whistle moments later.

The Rams’ were unlucky not to come away with at least a point, denied on a number of occasions by the hosts ‘keeper and the woodwork.

Having joined The Rams’ in mid March from a scouting role at Folkestone, post match Luchford told me he felt ready for a return to management as long as he felt the right club and opportunity came along. Having spoken to Richard and Phil at the club he firmly believed they all shared the same desire to take the club forward. Luchford signed off stating he hopes to stay at The Ram’s for a long time to come.

 

Redhill: Greaves, Duke (Addo-Dankwa, 12), Hill, Kelly, Hope, Abbott (Difford, 72), M. Robinson (Moto, 72), Bingham, Gordon, Elliott, Egan

Subs Not Used: Holness, Kissi

Goals: Elliott 22 (pen)

Ramsgate: Shaw, Groombridge, Skinner, Ball, Gray, Laslett (Main, 75), Chapman, Beech, Pulman, Sherman © (Schultz, 85), C. Robinson

Subs Not Used: Heffernan, Treadwell, Hawkes

Referee: Ian Crowhurst

Assistants: Mr A Desai, Mr R Letherne

 

Att; 75