Lordswood got put on the back foot early on against Ramsgate and never really recovered until it was too late as they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at the Southwood Stadium.

Despite totally outplaying Ramsgate at Martyn Grove and winning 4-0, there was still an awareness that Ramsgate had some quality about them and they showed this tonight. In fact they had shown it in previous games, taking points of possible Champions elect Canterbury and Faversham. They played at an incredibly high tempo and were very eager to work hard and chased everything that it’s fair to say that overall they deserved their victory.

Throughout the first half, Lordswood couldn’t seem to shake Ramsgate off and get on with playing the game the way they wanted, however it could be said that Lordswood made their own contributions to their downfall. Ash and Govans were consistently caught offside, balls were being played aimlessly out of defence, and several free kicks and corners did not even get past Ramsgate’s first line of defence. The defence were probably the poorest they’d been all season, Ramsgate were finding lots of space all over the pitch and were easily losing their markers from set pieces.

Ramsgate scored twice from corners and both within the 6 yard box. The first one saw Keen marking empty space as he waited to head a corner away – this never came though as the ball was whipped in low and he did not react quick enough as Ramsgate’s striker nipped in to score. Dampier got caught watching 5 minutes later as their striker moved in unmarked for a close range header unchallenged.

Ramsgate could have had a couple more goals, but somehow Lordswood managed to hold on. Dodge made a couple of saves in the Lordswood goal, although nothing too excessive as Ramsgate also hit a few chances just wide.

Lordswood finally started to find some rhythm in the last 15 minutes of the half and created some real chances. Govans lobbed over the bar with just the stranded keeper to beat. Morant lobbed to the far corner from outside the box only to see it drift just wide. Ash got brought down on the edge of the box, but the resulting free kick was wasted, and Prescott shot straight at the keeper when free in the box.

Half time came and manager Andy Slade said: “We knew Ramsgate would try hard again to close us down and start quickly following a rest, but we also knew they would tire later on. We were to keep it tight and relax in possession, keep the ball and make them work even harder.”

The 2nd half started as Slade expected, but Lordswood managed to contain Ramsgate’s threat and played football themselves. The half was fairly evenly contested for the first 15 minutes, but then disaster struck Lordswood as routine passing across the pitch in the Lords defence saw a loose ball gifted to Ramsgate’s striker who raced through one on one to side step Dodge and finish low into the corner of the goal.

With half hour remaining Lordswood were now playing for pride, in fairness heads did not really drop and Lordswood kept playing. On 65 minutes Prescott was substituted for Hamilton, who came on behind Govans while Ash and Morant were now encouraged to get forward but to keep some width and make an attacking 4 when they gained possession. Ramsgate were visibly tiring and were making substitutions every 10 minutes after the hour mark.

On 72 minutes, Lordswood pulled a goal back. Hamilton struck a low shot from the edge of the area which went through a number of players and past the keeper’s despairing dive. Just 6 minutes later it was 3-2, Govans with a similar strike to Hamilton, striking low from just inside the box.
Lordswood now had the bit between their teeth and with only being a goal behind with 10 minutes to go they could smell the chance of a comeback. Several chances fell their way, Ash shot wide, Morant scuffed just wide after taking on a lovely through ball by Govans. Govans had a shot blocked by a defender in the box and Keen didn’t connect with a free kick that just eluded his head 4 yards from goal.

Alas it wasn’t to be, Ramsgate had changed to 5 at the back in the last 15 minutes and whilst still tiring they were absolutely determined to hang on and that’s what won it for them. Lordswood had given themselves a mountain to climb from 3-0 but at least showed heart and fighting spirit to make it exciting towards the end.

Slade summed up: “Maybe we were a little tired mentally and physically but there was going to be no ticking off for the lads at the end of that finale. These last few games of the season come with little rest and with a squad of 12 we had limited change options tonight”