Ramsgate (H) - 26th December 2024

By Josh Cole

The first Thanet Derby league match in 15 years and it takes place on Boxing Day at Hartsdown Park in front of a sold-out crowd!

Last time out we beat Steyning Town at home 2-0. Read the match report by clicking here.

RAMSGATE – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:

The Rams sit second in the Isthmian South-East with 52 points from 19 games. 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 terms of league position, Sittingbourne, 4-2. Three FA Cup fixtures and one FA Trophy win also came in that month spell. 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 last game after their fixture with Merstham on Saturday was postponed.

View the league table by clicking here.

LAST FIVE: MARGATE

2-2 Draw vs Erith Town, home (League)

2-4 Loss vs Sheppey United, home (Velocity Trophy Third Round)

0-2 Win vs Phoenix Sports, away (League)

1-2 Win vs Littlehampton, away (League)

2-0 Win vs Steyning Town, home (League)

LAST FIVE: RAMSGATE

2-3 Win vs Sevenoaks Town, away (League)

3-0 Win vs Herne Bay, home (League)

3-1 Win vs Erith Town, home (League)

2-1 Loss vs East Grinstead Town, away (League)

4-1 Win vs Lancing, home (League)

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS (all comps)

MARGATE:

Matches played: 32

Goals scored: 64

Goals conceded: 29

GD: +35

Clean sheets: 14

RAMSGATE:

Matches played: 28

Goals scored: 71

Goals conceded: 31

GD: +40

Clean sheets: 9

MFC HISTORY VS RAMSGATE:

To view all the different fixtures, we have played against Ramsgate click here to take you to the new Margate Football Club history site, dedicating work to recording Margate’s history!

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Kane Dempster

Assistants: Ismail Isik & Nicholas Bone

UP THE ‘GATE

Honours Even Between 'Gate And Rams

By Josh Cole

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!

The atmosphere was electric around the Margate stadium, packed in Blue and Red with a lot of noise from both sets of fans.

In the third minute, Ben Greenhalgh’s brilliant reverse pass set through Ibrahim Olutade one-on-one but the Rams ‘keeper came out on top and saved it.

A huge stop from Tom Wray came in the 38th minute as he denied a vicious strike from Tom Clifford that was heading in at the near post.

The Rams would take the lead through Ellul on the stroke of half-time in the 45th minute after The ‘Gate failed to clear the corner properly and a shot through loads of bodies from Ellul, went in.

Ten minutes into the second half, a free-kick delivery from Greenhalgh found the head of Knight and his header was redirected into the path of Hudson, who nodded the ball home!

Ramsgate would get back ahead just two minutes later after another scrappy set piece. Munday’s header fell to the feet of Leader, and he turned to fire a shot into the net.

After that goal, the chances were limited but the game stayed interesting, until the 78th minute when a big chance fell to Olutade.

Greenhalgh fizzed the ball low into the front post, but Olutade fired over from just inside the six-yard box.

With The ‘Gate pushing for an equaliser, it came in the 93rd minute!

Walsh danced past Ramsgate and he curled an effort towards the far post, it was tipped onto the bar but it stayed on course and fell in!

Margate XI: 1. Tom Wray, 2. Harrison Hatfull, 6. Harry Hudson, 7. Jordon Ababio (Louie Atkins 81’), 8. Harvey Brand, 9. Ibrahim Olutade, 10. Ben Allen (Max Walsh 69’), 11. Ben Greenhalgh, 12. Lewis Knight (Tyrone Sterling 90+6’), 14. Brandon Davey, and 17. Kai Garande.

Attendance: 2,500

MFC Goalscorers: Harry Hudson 55’ & Max Walsh 90+3’

Margate Media Man of the Match: Lewis Knight

UP THE ‘GATE