A disappointing first half performance from Ramsgate allowed South Park to widen the gap between the two teams in the Ryman League Division One South.
Both teams had begun the season with mixed sets of results, the Rams came into the game with thirteen points from eleven matches and their Sussex Opponents began the day just one position above the hosts with four wins from their first eleven games during their first season in the league after gaining promotion last year.
Dean Hill made three changes from his side who drew after the long trip to Guernsey the previous week, Charlie Walsh, Tom Ripley and Chris Elliott came in for Stephen Butcher, Dean Hill and Ollie Beard.
Ramsgate got the first half underway and they had the first opportunity to score within the first minute but after Tom Chapman was tripped on the edge of the penalty area Chris Elliott’s free kick went just over.
The hosts continued to push forward and eleven minutes into the match Chapman was able to carry the ball down the right wing before cutting the ball back into the path of Josh Woolley but his quick pass was intercepted which allowed South Park to create a swift counter attack, after some quick passing which allowed them to get close to goal Chris Smith had enough time to look up and hit a low shot across Nick Shaw to give the Sparks the lead.
This goal forced the Rams to take more risks when attacking and they were nearly able to equalise when Connor Heffernan held up the ball before laying a pass off to Tom Chapman who was able to hit a powerful shot which was forced wide by James Wastell for a corner, the resulting set piece was cleverly put back to the edge of the area but Josh Woolley sliced his shot wide before a quick passing move allowed Scott Punton through on goal but his shot was saved at close range.
An injury to the referee slowed the game down during the first half but after a break of around ten minutes the game was finally able to continue, however, this stoppage meant that the half’s momentum had stopped.
Despite this, South Park were able to score a second before half time, David Smith was given enough space to cut inside from the right wing before running in front of the Ramsgate defensive line and playing a ball between the two centre backs which Smith was able to get to and slide the ball past the goalkeeper to score his second goal of the game.
The Sparks were able to take advantage of some shocking defending from Ramsgate to extend their lead further before half time, a long ball from midfield split the Ram’s defence open before Scott Punton was able to run onto the pass and place a simple shot past Nick Shaw to put his side 3-0 up at half time.
Ramsgate were unable to get any momentum going in the second half, throughout the half they were unable to retain possession.
After a slow period of play a long ball from South Park’s midfield fell to Chris Smith on the left wing but the strikers left footed shot was well blocked for a corner; soon after he had another opportunity five minutes later but his half volley across the goalmouth from the right was hit wide.
Ramsgate were finally getting back into the game and they had a chance to begin a comeback when Warren Schulz directed a header towards the target but a miraculous diving save from James Wastell kept the hosts goalless.
Ramsgate did finally make a breakthrough with Connor Heffernan’s low, hopeful shot which perfectly found the bottom corner but the Rams were unable to keep their late challenge going which meat that South Park retuned to Sussex with all three points.
That loss drops Ramsgate two places to 18th in the table, they will next face Herne Bay on Tuesday before East Grinstead travel to Southwood Stadium on Saturday.
Ramsgate: Shaw, Walsh, Woolley, Robinson, Ripley, Murray (Schulz), Chapman, Punton (Harrington), Sherman (Jackson), Heffernan, Elliott
Subs not used: Knight, Sharman
Booked: Jackson, Chapman
South Park: Wastell, David, Hatfield, Stafford, Higgins, Ayling, D. Smith (Joyce), M. Smith (Watts), Lavery, C. Smith, Ward (Rice)
Booked: Higgins, Stafford