Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Ramsgate 2Axon 12 Shulz 90(+4)3 |  Horsham YMCA 2 Oshitola 10 Mercer 70 |
| Source: West Sussex County Times |
A CONTROVERSIAL last gasp penalty left Horsham YMCA seething as they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at Ramsgate.
A battling and whole hearted YM performance saw them hold a 2-1 lead deep into injury time at Southwood Stadium, but as they prepared to face a corner, Rams’ James Gregory dramatically hit the deck and Warren Schulz stroked home the spot kick. It was a cruel blow and left boss John Cumberbatch with a bitter after taste.
"We desperately needed those points’ Cumberbatch said. "These things are not helping. I felt we did well enough to get the win, we rode our luck at times, but we played a steady calm game, scored a great first goal and good second".
"I am bitterly disappointed and it does not help that the teams above us are picking up points".
"I did not see the penalty incident, I did see one of their players on the deck, but not what led to it. I could not imagine someone being that stupid".
My players are saying he was not touched.
‘And I don't know where the four minutes of injury time came from - their physio was only on once for a short while."
YM, rock bottom of the Ryman Division 1 South, and with their nearest relegation rivals starting to disappear over the horizon, desperately need to start picking up wins - draws will seldom be of use to Cumberbatch’s men. And my did they try on Saturday The visitors made a lively start, with the new look strike force of Omar Folkes and Dayo Oshitola causing early problems.
Just ten minutes in, a neat move down the left saw Folkes feed Oshitola and his thunderous finish hit the top corner. It was the perfect start, but defensive problems which beset YM throughout the first half struck just two minutes later.
Schulz found space in behind Daryl Plummer; and while YM appealed for offside, his low cross was out of Mark Fox’s reach and was turned in by Paul Axon.
Those defensive worries had YM on the back foot for much of the first half, Axon was a persistent menace as Ramsgate, unbeaten in 2011, asserted themselves. Shulz and Axon both missed the target when attempting to capitalise on lapses, while keeper Fox was called into a brilliant double save to deny Schulz.
YM put some nice stuff together themselves going forward though, with Plummer and Folkes combining to tee up Mark Gradosielski for a shot which was gathered at the second attempt.
Cumberbatch’s side addressed their concerns at the back and tightened up considerably in the second period, while discovering another gear going forward.
Ramsgate had the better chances howeven Axon should have scored when he and two others were unmarked at the far post, and Fox made a superb save on the hour mark. As the second half ticked by YM’s confidence grew A smart give and go between playmaker Kevin Lott and striker Gavin Gordon drew a point blank stop from Jack Smelt, and three minutes later they were in front.
Lott’s clever free kick exploited acres of space for Plummer to run into, and his first time centre was turned in by substitute Kieran Mercer.
"lt was a spur of the moment thing, " Cumberbatch said. “Kieran was our star performer while he was on the pitch."
Ramsgate responded though, and Ollie Gray’s header flicked the far post before Schulz broke YM hearts from the spot with almost the final kick.
Man of the Match:Mark Fox excellent saves.
YM (4-4-2):Fox; Harris, Plummer, Woodburn, Reid; Lett, Gradesielski, Bewra, Henry; Oshitola (Gordon 28), Folkes (Sachies 74).
