Isthmian League

Rams fight back to deny Hawks

A second half fightback from hosts Ramsgate denied Whitehawk all three points in Kent. In terrible conditions with Storm Dennis to contend with, the Hawks seized the initiative in the first half with Duane Ofori-Acheampong’s brace putting them in charge at the break. However, second-bottom Ramsgate fought back in the second period and Marvin Hamilton’s own goal coupled with Tom Chapman’s effort saw them earn a share of the spoils at Southwood Stadium.

The hosts started the better as conditions seemed to ever-deteriorate, with Ashley Miller firing off target before the Hawks grew into the game. Henry Muggeridge fired just wide of the top corner with keeper Charlie Burns stranded, before Jude Macdonald’s side broke the deadlock. The returning Jordan Gibbons did well down the right and provided a neat cross to Ofori-Acheampong, who got in front of his marker and headed across Burns from close range.

Phil Starkey then fired off target having been put under pressure by Lucas Rodrigues as the hosts looked to draw level, but instead they fell further behind just before the interval. Henry Muggeridge whipped in a corner from the right-hand side and picked out Ofori-Acheampong, who rose above Jamie Maxted and his header found the bottom corner.

James Broadbent produced a good save to deny Jude Arthurs early in the second half, but the Hawks keeper could do nothing to prevent Ramsgate halving the deficit after 52 minutes.  A low cross from James Morrish from the left looked to be cleared by Marvin Hamilton, but the Hawks defender could only slice the ball over Broadbent and into the far corner of his own net.

Despite that, the Hawks almost regained that two-goal advantage soon after when Ahmed Abdulla fired just off target, before Ofori-Acheampong latched onto a ball through and having beaten Maxted, he could only chip tamely wide when through on goal.

Chapman then forced Broadbent into a smart save as Ramsgate pushed for that equaliser, and it duly came with 18 minutes to go. Chapman rose highest at the far post to head in Miller’s cross from close range. And as the game approached full-time, it was the hosts who looked the more likely to win all three points. Miller’s corner from the left caused a goalmouth scramble in the Hawks area, but Kane Rowland could only fire wide as both sides were made to settle for a point.

Hawks: Broadbent, Gibbons, Banya, Kissock, Walsh, Hamilton, Rodrigues, Adulla, Ofori-Acheampong, Muggeridge (c), Ovenden (Tighe 78′)

Subs not used: Emberson, Unwin, Christie, Zabadne

Rams: Burns, Russo, Simpson, Norman, Starkey, Maxted, Chapman, Morrish, Rowland (c), Arthurs, Miller

Subs: Arnold, Mitford, Robinson, Haiday, Oliver

Yellow cards: Kissock, Ofor-Acheampong, Banya (Hawks) Maxted, Morrish, Miller (Rams)

Referee: Ian Fissenden

Hawks Man of the Match: James Broadbent

Attendance: 204 (including 50 Hawks Ultras)

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