Ramsgate 2-1 Woking
FA Cup First Round Proper
4th November 2023

Woking made the trip to Thanet to take on step four Ramsgate in front of a sell out crowd of 3000. Darren Sarll made one change to the side beaten by Bromley last Saturday; Lewis Walker, recalled by Gillingham was replaced by Charlie Wakefield, whilst academy graduate Jamie Hilton made the bench for the first time.

The Rams’ starting lineup contained plenty of National League experience in the form of former Man United midfielder Lee Martin, former Gillingham wide man Jordan Green and former Maidstone defender Joe Ellul. In stormy conditions on the Kent Coast, Woking kicked off towards the bank of home fans behind the goal, and the Cards started the game well. Zak Bradshaw’s initial shot with four minutes gone was well blocked, with the follow up straight at Tom Hadler in goal.

Bradshaw was seeing plenty of the ball, and after an exchange with Dennon Lewis, his shot was well blocked for a corner before the Rams went on the counter and Alfie Paxman tested Jaaskelainen.

Woking had the lead on 13 minutes when superb play from Rhys Browne saw him rob the defender, a driving run from Morgan Williams and a perfect through ball saw Lewis calmly dink the ball over Hadler.

The Cards were continuing to dominate, with Lewis, Bradshaw and Josh Casey wreaking havoc down the left hand side, as the rain continued to hammer down. A shot from Jordan Green on 35 minutes had to be tipped over well by Will Jaaskelainen, but the Rams had an equaliser on 40 minutes when a long ball was brilliantly touched down by TJ Jadama, who slotted past Jaaskelainen and into the bottom corner.

1-1 was how it looked going into half time, with the Cards starting well, before a superb individual goal gave Ramsgate the momentum going into the break.

Half-time: Ramsgate 1-1 Woking

The home side got the tie back underway, with the Cards kicking towards their away end in the second half. A strike from Williams was brilliantly saved by Hadler down to his right, before a long ball saw an outstanding recovery challenge needed from Dan Moss to deny Paxman.

Ramsgate thought they had a second goal when a header saved by Jaaskelainen rebounded to Jadama, but he was offside in tapping the ball home. A ball into the box from substitute Padraig Amond caused problems, but was well saved by Hadler, before minutes later another superb save denied Lewis from a tight angle.

The home side did go in front on 72 minutes when a superb corner routine saw Lee Martin on hand to slot the ball into the bottom corner to spark scenes inside the Southwood Stadium.

In truth, the Cards barely threatened their opponents goal and were knocked out by a side full of desire, knowhow and in centre back Joe Ellul, a colossus at the back. Questions will need to be asked as to how Woking were second best for large spells.

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss (Taylor 77’, Josh Casey, Scott Cuthbert, Timi Odusina (Akinola 77’), Zak Bradshaw, Rohan Ince (Habergham 80’), Morgan Williams, Dennon Lewis, Rhys Browne, Charlie Wakefield (Amond 55’)

Unused subs: Andre Jr, Hilton

Goals: Lewis 13’

Bookings: Browne 10’, Odusina 57’

Ramsgate: Tom Hadler, Jack Parter, Joe Ellul, Sinnkaye Christie, Jack Paxman (Andidugbe 69’), Joe Taylor, Jordan Green (Bioletti 72’), Alfie Paxman, Lee Martin, Mike West (Elito 76’), TJ Jadama

Unused subs: Young, Procopi, Simmons, Elito, Oliver, Hennessey, Holden.

Goals: TJ Jadama 40’, Martin 72’

Bookings: Paxman 63’, Bioletti 79’

Referee: Stephen Parkinson

Attendance: 3000