Ramsgate took full advantage of a lacklustre display by Ashford to record a comfortable 3-0 win at Short Lane this afternoon.  The Rams took the lead in the 24th minute when Jay May headed home with two of his fellow forwards standing in offside positions.  However, neither of those players were active and despite the protests of both the crowd and Ashford skipper Gavin Bamford the goal was allowed to stand.  That was the only goal of the first half.

Ashford put in plenty of effort but lacked cutting edge, and even a triple substitution in the 62nd minute could not enable the Tangerines to equalise.  However, Ramgate's double substitution in the 72nd minute was more effective, as they scored the crucial second goal just two minutes later.  There was an element of luck about the strike, as Ryan Royston's shot took a massive deflection as it got past Paul Burgess.

Just a minute later it was 3-0 when Jay May shot emphatically past Burgess to wrap the game up for the visitors.  Despite the disappointing showing, Ashford drop only one place in the League table, to eighth.  The match report is here.

There was better news from Youngs Drive, where the Suburban League team beat hosts Ash United 2-1 to move out of the relegation zone.  Scott Todd fired the Tangerines in front before a Martin Jackson penalty gave Ashford some breathing space, which allowed them to withstand a late rally from their hosts.  They are replaced in the bottom four by Three Bridges, who were beaten 10-2 at Sutton United and are Glynn Stephens' squad's next opponents.

Finally, our congratulations to our FA Cup conquerors, Forest Green Rovers, who today beat Rochdale 2-0 to win a place in the FA Cup Third Round.  We send our best wishes to everyone at The New Lawn and our hope that they will be fortunate in the draw.