Ramsgate 3 - 2 Cray Wanderers - After Extra Time

The sides had to replay after a 2-2 draw at Hayes Lane on Sunday and the game seemed to be following a similar pattern as Cray came back from 0-2 down to force extra time before a classy Tijan Jadama strike a minute into extra-time won the game against a Wands side reduced to ten men for the last twelve minutes after Cameron Black was dismissed

With the Indian Summer now quite clearly over the evening drama was played out to a respectable breeze and much of the game steady rain but it didn’t not quell the quality of the game which was played at a steady pace and plenty of cup tie commitment which saw a handful of yellow cards and one red card.

Cray were looking to get off to a good start and began well winning an early corner but Ramsgate were looking dangerous going forward and from a free kick out on the right, Lee Martin’s cross was headed onto the roof of the net by Dan Johnson.  Then again in the 15th minute another Martin cross was headed over by Joe Ellul.

Cray almost went in front a minute later when Yahya Bamba hit a shot which was pushed out well by Tom Hadler as the game continued at a quick pace.

Two minutes later Ramsgate went 1-0 up when down the right Joe Taylor received the ball, took on Jack Holland and hit a crispnstrike which seemed to zip off the wet pitch and went past Shaun Rowley in the Wands goal.

It was almost two nil when Jack Parter found Taylor whose shot was blocked and then in the 25th minute when Ellul found Tijan Jadama who broke into the area, went round Rowley and rolled the ball towards goal but was cleared off the line by Cameron Black.

This was followed by Martin hitting a shot from outside the area which Rowley had to get down to save and then Michael West hit a shot which was deflected behind for a corner.

Cray were not getting much change out of the Ramsgate defence and Hadler wasn’t troubled too much in the half and Taylor just before half time received a pass from Alfie Paxman and fired a shot over the bar.

The second half began a bit scrappy but Ramsgate still seemed to have the edge and substitute Wes Hennessey set up Martin down the right whose near post effort was blocked by Rowley.  Then at the other end down the right, Clunis picked up the ball and hit a shot at the near post which was deflected over.  This was followed by Jack Paxman making a darting run forward and hit a shot which was on target and fielded by Rowley.

Wands boss Neil Smith introduced Sam Wood and Ellis Brown just after the hour mark and this got Cray more on the front foot and more threatening.

However in the 69th minute Ramsgate went two nil up which was forged down the right and Mike West found Hennessey whose cross-shot was turned into the net by Jack Holland.

Ramsgate were looking in total control but in the 76th minute Cray forced their way back into the game with a high quality goal which started down the right and Clunis’ cross was superb to the far post when Sam Wood stole in to plant a terrific header into the net to set up a grandstand finish.

Two minutes later Cray incredibly in such a short space of time had a chance to level the scores when George Porter was clattered just inside the area by Tom Hadler for the award of a penalty.  From the spot, Porter’s shot at the right post was saved by Hadler but following up Clunis was on hand to score and make it a goal in four consecutive games.

The game was now delicately poised and Sam Wood almost put Cray in front with a well struck shot which Hadler did well to turn aside.

However Ramsgate went back on the attack and dominated the last few minutes and from a corner the ball came to Taylor whose diving header was turned round the right post brilliantly by Rowley.

Towards the end Ramsgate had two free kicks in dangerous positions but from both, Alfie Paxman curled over and Michael West saw a shot blocked and with no further goals an extra half hour would be needed to decide the tie.

Ramsgate got off to a great start with a goal straight away as Alfie Paxman got away down the left of the area and found Tijan Jadama who found space to lift a shot over Rowley and into the back of the net.

The home side had the bit between their teeth for the rest of the half and Taylor found Hennessey who was unlucky to see his low shot bloked by Rowley and then another effort was cleared off the line by Ijaha.  The nearest Cray came was when Clunis saw a shot deflected for a corner.

Cray’s hopes of another comeback were dented when Jack Parter was brought down to the left of the penalty area by Cameron Black who was one of a few players booked during the game and was shown a red card.

The Wands still drove forward and Will Wood was unlucky to see a curling cross shot down the left pushed out well by Hadler once again.

Despite some late pressure Ramsgate held out to claim the win and so ended two decent contests between the teams and over the 120 minutes had played well and deserved the win on the night.  Cray had perhaps not been at their best over the game but did show character to take the game to extra time and kept going until the end against a very good Ramsgate side.

Cray now move on to try and improve the league position starting with a home game with Cheshunt on Saturday 23rd September (3 pm) and with the Kent Senior Trophy and FA Trophy still on the horizon there is still plenty of cup tie action to look forward to.

Cray Wanderers:

Shaun Rowley, Lee Lewis, Cameron Black, Jack Holland, Jamie Mascoll (Sam Wood, 62), Will Wood, David Ijaha (Tom Penfold, 108), Anthony Cook (Ellis Brown, 63), Nyren Clunis, George Porter, Yahya Bamba (Cameron Thompson, 72)

Att: 357