Pat at the double

Ramsgate 1 Burgess Hill 2
burgess hill fc after pat harding's late winner at ramsgate 7/1213burgess hill fc after pat harding's late winner at ramsgate 7/1213
burgess hill fc after pat harding's late winner at ramsgate 7/1213

by Dave Bradbury

Pat Harding rammed home a volley deep in stoppage time to seal a well earned victory over sixth-placed Ramsgate in an excellent match on Saturday.

Manager Ian Chapman made one change from the side that drew with Folkestone in midweek, with Curtis Gayler coming into the side for Greg Luer.

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Hillians keeper Alan Mansfield was tested after just two minutes when he parried a free kick from Macaulay Murray but the visitors were soon asking questions of their own.

Skipper Darren Budd, who controlled midfield, was denied by the keeper’s legs before the ball was cleared by Ollie Schulz.

Home skipper Dean Hill was lucky to stay on the pitch when another foul on Danny Curd failed to bring the second yellow card that most people in the ground were expecting.

Hillians deservedly took the lead after 31 minutes when a good move involving Budd and Joe Keehan enabled Keehan to set up Harding for a one-on-one that he put away.

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The second half started brightly for the visitors, with the excellent Scott Kirkwood, having an effort saved by Darren Hawkes and then Mansfield, who was another to put in a top performance, did well to save a powerful header.

The Rams equalised in the 77th minute through Tom Chapman. He picked up the ball in his own half and went on a long run, amazingly being left unchallenged all the way before sending a low shot from a tight angle past Mansfield.

Hill brought on Luer for the hard-working Curd to add some pace as the Hillians looked for the winner and Luer should have got the goal after being on the pitch for three minutes.

Neil Watts slipped Harding in and his shot was parried by Hawkes into the path of Luer who lifted the ball over the bar from close range.

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Both keepers were called into action in injury time as Mansfield tipped a powerful long range effort and minutes later Kirkwood had an effort also tipped over the bar for a corner before the Hillians hit the late late winner.

Lee Denyer headed the ball back into the area and Budd flicked it on for Harding to smash home a volley from 18 yards to spark celebrations from the players and management and travelling supporters.

Hillians: Alan Mansfield, Neil Watts, Sam Fisk, Toby Pointing, Lee Denyer, Scott Kirkwood, Joe Keehan, Darren Budd, Curtis Gayler, Danny Curd (Greg Luer 83), Pat Harding.

Not used: Spencer Slaughter, Paul Armstrong, Graham Martin, Max Howell

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