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Ramsgate 2 - 2 Whyteleafe
Tuesday 16th February 2010
Ryman League Division 1 South

In a real game of two halves Whyteleafe overcame an early two goal deficit to dominate after the break, forcing a draw and so nearly taking all three points.

On a heavy pitch only recently devoid of snow the visitors toiled early on and in the third minute Rams winger Liam Quinn was set free on the right. With keeper Rob O'Hara advancing, Quinn lobbed narrowly over the bar when he might have done better.

The hosts took the lead after 10 minutes when Gary Mickelborough sprang a static Leafe defence and fired wide of O'Hara into the bottom corner.

Whyteleafe responded with influential centre-half Ryan Royston firing narrowly wide from the edge of the box and Chris O'Flaherty, recently returned to the Church Road outfit, dragging a shot wide with his less favoured right boot.

Ramsgate forward Tom Tsangarides on 24 minutes was again through one on one with O'Hara and the giant keeper blocked with his leg to force a corner. From the dead-ball Gary Lockyer volleyed home sweetly from the edge of the area to double the home side's lead.

On the half hour Leafe were forced to make two changes, replacing the injured Leon McDowall and Kieron McCann with the experienced Danny Oakins and powerful striker Darren Watson.

The action continued with Oakins firing narrowly wide when latching on to a Rhys Coleman through ball, then two minutes before the break Daniel Platel met an Oakins header and shot wide when well placed to do better. Just before the break Quinn met an excellent cross from Tsangarides, heading inches over O'Hara's crossbar.

After the break Leafe took command of the game, Daryl Coleman's long throws, helped by a generous run up area a source of concern for the home side. On 51 minutes Oakins headed on such a throw and Platel at the far post volleyed just wide of the upright.

On 58 minutes Oakins met another Coleman throw, his fierce shot deflected for a corner. There were four consecutive corners and the last caused a goal-mouth scramble that saw Watson fire home.

Nine minutes later Platel chipped the keeper from 10 yards and hit the crossbar. As Leafe pressed ever harder, Fred Fleming lofted a free-kick into the area and O'Flaherty shot home the equaliser from close range.

The hosts did rally, forcing a smart save from O'Hara on 90 minutes, but the last chance was to fall to the visitors when, with the goal at the mercy of Watson and Oakins, O'Flaherty just failed to cut his cross back from the byline.

A hard fought draw and an entertaining game rewarded the few who made the long trip on a chilly winter's night.

Whyteleafe: O'Hara, Aldous, Coleman R, Fleming, Royston, Goodchild, McCann (Oakins 32), McDowall (Watson 32), O'Flaherty, Coleman D, Platel. Sub not used: Kember M


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