By Josh Cole
An Easter Monday Thanet Derby is around the corner, and it will be in front of a sold-out crowd!
Last time out The ‘Gate won 6-2 at home to Beckenham! Read the match report from that game by clicking here!
Gates open for this match from 12pm, be ready with your unique QR code when entering the stadium, ‘Gate fans are to enter from the ‘Airport End’ (bottom end of the car park).
RAMSGATE – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:
Ramsgate won every single game from the 10th of August, to the 14th of September, that run included five league games, which saw the Reds beat their closest rival in the league Sittingbourne, 4-2. Three FA Cup fixtures and one FA Trophy win were also included in that.
Their first defeat was on penalties against Sevenoaks in the Velocity Cup second round. Their FA Trophy run continued as they progressed past Raynes Park Vale in the second qualifying round.
Then came the Thanet Derby in the Kent Senior Cup first round in which The ‘Gate prevailed, winning 0-1 in an eventful affair! They also lost 4-1 to Brackley in the FA Cup third qualifying round and 1-3 to Cray Valley in the FA Trophy third qualifying round. After three defeats in a row, Ramsgate went unbeaten in their next 12 games, winning 11 of them and the only draw being a 2-2 draw at home to Burgess Hill.
For the first time in the league, Ramsgate tasted defeat, and it was a sour 2-1 away defeat to East Grinstead. However, they didn’t let that one slip up affect them as they won 4-1 against Lancing which was their match before the boxing day derby, which ended 2-2 at HDP.
After that draw, they then went on an 11 game winning run before a draw against Burgess Hill and a loss against Merstham. They went right back to winning again, their last seven have all been wins which in their lats match away at Hythe saw Ramsgate crowned champions with two games to spare.
LAST FIVE: RAMSGATE
4-1 Win vs Merstham, home (League)
1-3 Win vs Beckenham, away (League)
1-0 Win vs Broadbridge Heath, home (League)
5-1 Win vs Three Bridges, home (League)
0-4 Win vs Hythe Town, away (League)
LAST FIVE: MARGATE
1-3 Win vs Steyning Town, away (League)
3-0 Win vs Hythe Town, home (League)
3-3 Draw vs Sevenoaks Town, away (League)
3-3 Draw vs Merstham, away (League)
6-2 Win vs Beckenham, home (League)
IN THE REVERSE FIXTURE…
In front of a PACKED Hartsdown Park the Thanet derby ended 2-2!
Right on half time in the first half, a poor clearance from Brandon Davey found the feet of Joe Ellul and after a couple of deflections, the ball found its way in!
Then in the 55th minute The ‘Gate found themselves level through Harry Hudson after Lewis Knight’s header was directed towards the near post with Hudson nodding the ball in.
Straight away, Ramsgate were back in front. Billy Munday’s header found the feet of Jay Leader and he swivelled a shot through bodies to put Ramsgate back in front.
Then at the death in the 93rd minute an effort from Max Walsh was curled towards the far post, it was tipped onto the bar by Henry Newcombe but it trickled over the line!
FULL-TIME: Margate 2-2 Ramsgate
STATS COMPARISON IN ALL COMPS:
RAMSGATE
Matches played: 49
Goals scored: 140
Goals conceded: 44
GD: +96
Clean sheets: 21
MARGATE
Matches played: 52
Goals scored: 110
Goals conceded: 61
GD: +49
Clean sheets: 17
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Daniel Blades
Assistants: Michael Corderoy & Reece Cahalane
UP THE ‘GATE