Ramsgate Seeks Improvement Despite Early Season Setbacks

Ramsgate FC is striving for improvement despite suffering consecutive defeats in the early stages of the Isthmian Premier season. After a promising start with a 3-2 victory over Whitehawk, the team faced a 4-2 loss to Chatham and a 2-0 defeat at home against Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday. Coach Ben Smith remains optimistic about his side’s progression as they adapt to the challenges of their new division.

Upcoming matches against strong opponents will test Ramsgate further. They are set to visit Cray Valley on Saturday, March 9, 2024, before hosting Dartford at their home ground, Southwood, on Bank Holiday Monday at 15:00. “I think we’ve got better every game,” Smith stated. He emphasized that the team showed improvement with each match, noting they performed better against Chatham than they did against Whitehawk, and even better against Dulwich than against Chatham. Despite the lack of points, he believes in the team’s potential to secure a good run in the coming weeks.

The coach acknowledged the competitive nature of the league, mentioning, “We’re also mindful that the next couple of games are against sides that are tipped to do very well.” Cray Valley, despite their poor start, is recognized as a formidable opponent. Smith pointed out the importance of adapting and finding ways to capitalize on opportunities, stating, “We’ve got to do more to put the fine margins in our favour.”

The fixtures have presented challenges, and Smith is aware that ups and downs are part of the process. “You’re going to have peaks and troughs in this league, especially the way the fixtures have fallen for us,” he noted. The team is focused on taking it one game at a time to secure valuable points.

In their latest match, Ramsgate faced a tough contest against Dulwich Hamlet. Luke Wanadio scored both goals for the visitors, breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute and sealing the victory with a penalty late in the game. Smith reflected on the match, saying, “It was a game of fine margins… I don’t think we did enough to win the game but we certainly didn’t do enough to lose it.” He expressed frustration over conceding a penalty while pushing for an equalizer, describing it as a “naive goal to concede.”

On a positive note, Ramsgate welcomed new signing Sha’mar Lawson to the squad for his home debut in midfield. Lawson, previously with Millwall, has gained experience through loan spells at Maidstone and Ebbsfleet. Smith acknowledged Lawson’s talent and potential, saying, “He’s a good player… He’ll come good.”

As Ramsgate looks ahead, the focus remains on continual improvement and securing points in a challenging league environment. The support from fans has been encouraging, as they applauded the team’s effort even in defeat. Smith concluded, “They knew the effort was there.” With the season still young, the Rams will seek to translate their improving performances into positive results in the coming matches.