Staplehurst Monarchs U23 (1) 2 Linton 6 Winch 57
Ramsgate U23 (0) 2 Jobe 80 Hennessey 90+12
Attendance: 81
Admission: £2
Programme: None
Mileage: 1/1,181
Weather: 18degC., getting cooler
As the once in a decade Blue Moon rose high over the Jubilee and Staplehurst Monarch’s SCEFL Development League game entered its 102nd minute, one final cross lofted into the box was met with a firm header from close range and visitors Ramsgate had escaped with a point after finding themselves two goals down just before the hour.
This season the Development League has attracted the attention of National League South’s Maidstone United and Isthmian League sides. Consequently, from this first look, the league looks significantly stronger than last season.
In terms of possession, Ramsgate could certainly argue that they were well worth their point but Staplehurst defended resolutely and caught the visitors on the break on countless occasions.
One such break, saw the home side take the lead when the ball was fed to the right hand side of the box from where Ainsley Linton fired into the far bottom corner for a superb finish.
The first half proceeded in much the same vein but it was the home side that came closest to doubling their lead with a headed opportunity going narrowly over.
Staplehurst added to their lead on 57 minutes when Sam Winch headed home from a corner.
Now with a two goal deficit, Ramsgate had to go for broke and the pressure on the Staplehurst goal was relentless but last ditches tackles, a superb save from Cameron Sanghera and a goal line clearance kept the visitors at bay until the 80th minute when the ball dropped in the box for Zak Jobe to poke home.
The home side game managed (the visiting supporters calling something entirely different) the remaining time but Ramsgate were given the encouragement of eight minutes of added time.
An injury midway through this period added further minutes with 11 gone on the clock when one final Hail Mary into the box was met with a header from Wes Hennessey to earn Ramsgate what had seemed an unlikely point.
As arguments raged over the length of the extra time to the added time, two players appeared to be red carded by the referee which was a disappointing end to a highly entertaining evening.
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