Ramsgate Manager Calls for Referee Vigilance on Munday’s Treatment

Ramsgate manager Lee Martin has urged match officials to monitor the treatment of midfielder Billy Munday after he faced aggressive marking during the team’s recent match. Munday has emerged as a key player, scoring four goals in his last three games, including a header that secured a 1-1 draw against St Albans on the weekend.

In that match, Munday equalized just before half-time, connecting with a corner from Alfie Paxman. Following the game, Martin expressed concern over the physical tactics employed by defenders against Munday, stating, “They were literally just pulling him down.” He emphasized the need for referees to protect players like Munday, who are becoming prime targets due to their performance.

“They need to look after him because if he’s scored four goals, what would you do?” Martin said. “You’d end up marking him tightly, wouldn’t you?” He highlighted the challenge of managing a player who is both a scoring threat and a target for opposition defenders.

Martin has placed a significant focus on set-pieces since taking over as manager. Under his leadership, Ramsgate has shifted its strategy to capitalize on this aspect of play, which was instrumental in their previous success during last season’s Isthmian South East title win. “It’s not just Munday; we also want to get other players on first contacts as well,” he explained, noting that the team had several opportunities that could have resulted in goals.

Ramsgate remains unbeaten in eight matches across all competitions since Martin’s appointment. The draw against St Albans leaves them in ninth place, five points outside the playoff positions. Young player Jack Heaton made his debut in the match, demonstrating the club’s commitment to integrating young talent into the first team.

“It’s in the DNA of the club,” Martin stated about promoting youth players. He believes that age should not be a barrier to opportunity, provided players meet the required standards. With first-team players missing due to injuries, Martin is not hesitating to give young talents their chance to shine.

Looking ahead to the league match against Burgess Hill this Saturday at 15:00, Martin is considering adding to his squad. He stressed the importance of not signing players merely for the sake of filling positions. “Creating a culture and a cohesive unit is key for us,” he remarked, highlighting the need for new players to fit into the existing team dynamic.

As for injuries, striker Mitchell May is expected to return for the upcoming match after missing two games due to illness, while Ben Mundele has shown promise since recovering from his injury. Ramsgate has accumulated 12 points from six league games under Martin, alongside victories in the Velocity Cup against Ashford and Welling.

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Martin acknowledged the challenges they have faced but remains focused on improvement. “Would I like more points? Absolutely,” he stated. “But with the injuries we’ve had, the boys deserve great credit.” He intends to use the upcoming week to refine their tactics and prepare effectively for the challenges posed by Burgess Hill.

By focusing on both the development of young players and the strategic use of set-pieces, Ramsgate aims to build on their strong start as they push for a higher position in the league.