Pre-match warm up completed, season proper underway, three minutes in and to the surprise of many in the stadium including those in red & white the man in the middle pointed to the penalty spot. To give a cricket analogy there didn't even seem to be an appeal. Arguments as to was it a foul? the attacker appearing to back into the defender Cem Tumkaya or was it actually just outside the penalty area will forever remain irrelevant, as the fact is Jordan Chiedozie sent the keeper the wrong way to give the Rams an early lead.

After the early set back The Millers gradually slowly grew into the game and for periods in that first half arguably looked the better side. Dan Bennett came closest to the equaliser, his shot powering off the underside of the cross bar and out. On another ocassion Barney Williams and Alan Coombes combined well but Coombes couldn't quite get his shot away and was crowded out. On the stroke of half time Anthony Edgar's free kick from the edge of the box forced Rams keeper Josh Bexon to make a good save diving away to his left. Half time and it remained 1-0 to the hosts.

Second half saw the Rams take contro. Josh Ajayi doubled the Rams lead finding himself unmarked 12 yards out in the centre of the goal, planted a good header into the bottom corner on 54 minutes. Calls for a earlier foul in the build up on Adam Coombes were rejected. The lead was increased further in the 65th minute, Ajayi again the scorer, racing into the area from out wide, his shot beating Chris Lewington. The goal came immediately following the resumption after a drinks break with the temperature hitting 30 degrees.

The Millers woes were increased further eight minutes later when Barney Williams was given a straight red for a foul out wide on the half way line. Opinions will always differ of course but speaking to the player after the game he said he was surprised to see red and felt a yellow card would have been more appropriate. Trailing 3-0 and down to ten men the game was effectively over and the Rams run out worthy winners on the 3G at Southwood on the strength of their second half performance.

The Millers will feel that they didn't get the run of the play on some of the decisions this afternoon. Indeed It was a tough baptism at step 4 for the man in the middle. He will enjoy easier games. The fact is though the Millers will need to put this game to one side and look to show bounce back ability in their next league game on Tuesday when East Grinstead who beat Chatham Town 1-0 in their opening game today visit the Artic Stadium.

Millers line up: Lewington, Dymond (c), Williams B, Tumkaya (Asaam 66), Gayle, Coombes, Edgar, Samuels (Oshilaja 79), Douglas, Bennett, Ibrahiym (Black 31) Sub not used: Chambers
Cautions: Tumkaya, Samuels, Coombes
Sent off: Williams B

Rams line up: Bexon, Redwood, Coyle (c), Emptage, Olapade, Chiedozie (Miller 77), Paxman, Ajayi, Fitchett, Osinflorin, Jadama (Aboagye 68) Subs not used: Peck, Takalobighashi, Armtrong
Cautions: Paxman

Referee: Nicholas Monkman
Assistants: Benjamin Marshall and David Spain

Main Photo: Paul Lorraine takes the pre match warm up

Match Photo album courtesy of Frank May

Additional match report courtesy of Ramsgate FC website.
https://ramsgatefc.co.uk/2022/08/14/clinical-ramsgate-win-opener/