Squad:

Lawrence

Les 

Paul

Kevin

Grant

Colin

Chris

Gordon

Rob

 

 

This was our first league game after the league split in two and our first game for over eight weeks; yes eight weeks! Not ideal preparation for our final five games of the season which are all, bar one, to be played in April. Add to this a referee we had never had officiate any of our games before and the theme was set for an interesting match. Still, that aside, a game against our friends from Ramsgate is always a close affair and is invariably settled by a single goal.

 

 

Despite the lack of recent competitive football BayCity started the game on the front foot. Good possession football had Ramsgate penned in their half and limited to only sporadic attacks, whilst BayCity were creating regular chances.

 

 

About ten minutes into the game Baycity were awarded a free kick a few yards from the Ramsgate goal area. Free kicks close to the opponents goal have not always been executed well by BayCity in the past but this season a number of goals have resulted and this was to be another one. Rob laid the ball back to Kevin who sent an unstoppable shot into the bottom left hand corner. One nil to BayCity which was fully deserved.

 

 

Whilst Ramsgate tried to get back into the match BayCity continued to defend well from front to back. Players were supporting and encouraging each other which helped focus attention. Despite this positive side of the game, the running offences were starting to clock up and BayCity were already on three fifteen minutes into the game.

 

 

As Ramsgate continued to push players forward for a equaliser an attack broke down which left them short at the back. Rob took advantage of the extra space and moved forward through midfield, played the ball to Les who scored with a rasping shot. Two nil to BayCity with only a couple of minutes or so to half-time.

 

 

Unfortunately a disputed fourth running offence let Ramsgate back in the game, their first shot on target of the half.

 

 

So at half-time the score was 2-1 to BayCity.

 

 

BayCity made a substitution at half-time with Rob coming off and Paul taking his place. Colin who had done a sterling job covering Jim’s position at the back went up front and Paul took over from him; Kevin dropped into midfield.

 

 

The second half started much the same as the first with BayCity continuing to play confident possession football and creating chances. The ploy of playing Colin up front gave the Ramsgate defenders something different to deal with as he held the ball up and laid it off to supporting players. Les dropping slightly deeper also appeared to throw the Ramsgate defence.

 

 

Chris, Grant and Kevin continued to work hard in midfield and when we lost possession were quick to mark their player which continued to stifle Ramsgate attacks.

 

 

At 2-1 you are always looking for the third goal to take the wind out the sails of the opposition and whilst BayCity continued to create chances, there was always the danger of an equaliser. This nearly came about as Lawrence was finally called into action after a speculative long shot. Somehow Lawrence kept the ball out the goal by stretching his ‘go go gadget’ leg; amazingly without injuring himself. This was to be Ramsgate only shot on target in the second half, which was due in no small part to Paul tightly marking their striker. 

 

 

Finally and deservedly BayCity got the third goal. Somehow the Ramsgate goalkeeper presented the ball to Colin who coolly finished.

 

 

Now to see the game out which BayCity did very well by keeping possession and staying calm on the ball.

 

 

Final score 3-1 to BayCity.

 

 

So BayCity start their last few league games of the 24/25 season with a well deserved victory. Whilst with the chances created the scoreline could have been greater, the overall performance, confidence and discipline shown with and without the ball has to be up there with one of our best of the season. 

 

 

No time to rest unfortunately as our next game is in two days at home to Margate. Here’s to another similar performance.

 

 

Thanks to Paul Jones for refereeing.

 

 

Thanks also to Gordon, Tony Old, Simon and Nick for their support from the sidelines – as always it is much appreciated by all the players.