Chatham Town 5 Ramsgate 2

Match 37/16/1345 - Monday, 10th October 2016 - Ryman League South

Chatham Town (2) 5 Jackson 24,76 Medley 31,63 Youngs 81
Ramsgate (0) 2 Penney 46 McKenzie 53
Attendance: 149

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 40/3,215

Match Report

Six weeks ago I watched a very poor Chatham side outplayed by Walton Casuals and dumped out of the FA Cup. Their start to the season under the management of Tony Beckingham had brought just two wins in their opening 14 games in all competitions culminating with an humiliating 7-1 defeat at Faversham Town that brought Beckingham's resignation.

Darren Anslow was brought in to steady the ship and this victory was his first after four games in charge, two of which have been equally bad defeats in cup competitions.

What made this five goal romp against a Ramsgate side that has gone off the rails since an unbeaten August saw them riding high in the Ryman South table was the change in personnel at Chatham since that game against Walton Casuals. Only Liam Hickey and Luke Medley were in the starting line-up in August and in this one. What I didn't know at the time was this was largely because of traffic problems on the A2 that left several of Anslow's players stranded.

Chatham played some good football and Medley was a constant source of danger to the Ramsgate defence. The home side took the lead after 24 minutes when Josh Jackson finished from just inside the box having been put through with a lovely pass from Ross Morley.

The home side doubled their advantage on the half-hour with another defence splitting pass, this time from Josh Bray sent the much travelled Medley through for a cool finish having shrugged off the attentions of a couple of challenges.

Whatever the Ward brothers said at half-time had immediate effect as the Rams pulled a goal back after just 26 seconds. Luke Girt played in raiding full back Jack Penny who finished with shot into the bottom corner.

Eight minutes later and the other Ramsgate full back, Jake McKenzie, profited from a pass from Alfie Paxman to finish brilliantly.

But Anslow's side were not to be denied. Medley scored his second goal, converting a cross from Harvey Brand at the near post.

Chatham rounded off the scoring in the 76th and 81st minutes courtesy of free kicks in which Ramsgate goalkeeper Luke Watkins didn't cover himself in glory. The first, a powerful shot from Jackson went through his hands and the second, a Tom Youngs effort that he could only help in at his right hand upright.

A good night for Darren Anslow, a good night for Chatham, hopefully a corner turned.