MKJ Group

Round One
3:00pm - SaturdaySat 4th NovemberNov 2023
| Att: 3000

Ramsgate
Ramsgate
2 - 1

Woking
Woking

Match Preview and Guide | Ramsgate (A)

William Bewsey
2:30pm, Tue 31st Oct 2023
Ramsgate v Woking
Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper
Southwood Stadium
Saturday 4th November 2023
15:00 Kick-Off


Woking will hope to avoid a cupset when they travel to one of the lowest ranked sides to make the first round proper in Isthmian South East side Ramsgate.

With the hosts having sold out this fixture within a day of tickets going on sale, there is much anticipation in Thanet; in fact this is the first time the Rams have ever hosted the FA Cup proper rounds, so Woking will have to be professional if they are to progress to round two.

After Saturday's defeat to Bromley, Darren Sarll might look to change up his squad, but with Alfie Pavey one of a couple of players cup tied or unavailable, the likes of Sam Habergham could return to the squad after his recovery from injury.

Opposition Watch
Thanks to Ramsgate fan Ryan Smith for information regarding the opposition.

After a crushing defeat in the play off semi final on penalties to Hythe Town at their own ground, Ramsgate have made a flying start to the league this season. Despite just playing six league games due to their FA Cup and Trophy adventures, the Rams have won five of their six league fixtures, losing once and putting them fifth in the table, with as many as four games in hand on teams above them such as league leaders Three Bridges.

Striker Joe Taylor was the Isthmian Premier top scorer last season for Lewes, and in moving closer to home in Kent, he's out to break more milestones this season. The year old is currently the FA Cup's second top scorer with nine in six games, whilst he has eight in six games in the league, meaning he has an astonishing 17 goals in 12 games so far this season.

Another key player is former Manchester United, Millwall and Exeter midfielder Lee Martin. With over 300 EFL appearances, the 36-year-old is now winding his career down with the Rams, but is still a key player with his crossing and set pieces in particular causing problems.

Other notable names include former Dagenham and Barnet midfielder (and musician) Medy Elito, former Barnsley and Gillingham forward Jordan Green, and former Ebbsfleet midfielder and club captain Mike West, as the Rams will turn to their experienced names to help pull off another shock.

Ben Smith's side have seen past Bexhill United, Chatham Town, Cray Wanderers, Frome Town and AFC Totton to get to this stage, playing six games in total.

Last Time Out
This will be the first meeting between the Cards and Ramsgate, and will be their first appearance in the first round proper since 2005.

Around the Ground

This game is sold out, so there are no tickets available as Woking have sold our 500 allocation.

The Cards Trust are running a coach and there are still spaces available, information is available here.

Ramsgate station is a 20 minute walk from the Southwood Stadium and is regularly served by fast trains from London St Pancras.

Please note that if you are planning to drive to the Southwood Stadium, the London-bound slip road from M2 junction 5 will be closed on the weekend of 4 November, so fans are advised to consider an alternative route.

Match Report | Cards crash out of the Cup on Kent Coast

William Bewsey
4:57pm, Sat 4th Nov 2023
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
Ramsgate LINEUP
Tom Hadler
Jack Parter
Joe Ellul
Sinnkaye Christie
Jack Paxman ('69)
Joe Taylor
Jordan Green ('72)
Alfie Paxman
Lee Martin
Mike West ('76)
TJ Jadama
BENCH
Bode Andidugbe ('69)
Benny Bioletti ('72)
Medy Elito ('76)
WOKING LINEUP
22Will Jaaskelainen
2Dan Moss ('77)
3Josh Casey
21Timi Odusina ('77)
4Scott Cuthbert
24Rohan Ince ('80)
25Morgan Williams
20Zak Bradshaw
11Dennon Lewis
19Charlie Wakefield ('55)
14Rhys Browne
BENCH
1Alexis Andre Jr.
5Greg Taylor ('77)
16Tunji Akinola ('77)
28Sam Habergham ('80)
10Padraig Amond ('55)
Jamie Hilton

Ramsgate 2-1 Woking | Darren Sarll Interview

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