Ramsgate know the Isthmian South East title is out of their hands but striker Joe Taylor says anything can happen on the final day
Published: 05:00, 26 April 2024
Ramsgate striker Joe Taylor says anything can happen on the final day of the Isthmian South East season.
The title is out of Rams’ hands going into their home game against Three Bridges on Saturday (3pm).
They’re three points behind Cray Valley who only need to avoid defeat at mid-table Horndean to take the crown.
On paper it should be the Millers’ title - Steve McKimm’s side have lost only once all season and are unbeaten away - but you never know in football.
Rams must be ready to capitalise should Cray Valley - whose goal difference is three better than Ben Smith’s men - suffer a shock defeat in Hampshire.
It’s been some scrap at the summit with Valley on 92 points and Ramsgate on 89, scoring 101 and 105 goals respectively.
Whoever misses out will host either Chichester or Three Bridges in the play-off semi-finals on Tuesday.
The final takes place next Friday night.
“You’d expect Cray Valley to win their game but when it goes to the last day, anything can happen,” said 52-goal striker Taylor.
“All we can do is win our game and see where it takes us.
“At the very least we’ll be going into the play-offs in good form if we do that.
“Cray Valley are top of the form guide but we’re in good form ourselves.
“We haven’t lost for a long time (seven games unbeaten and one defeat in 12) and we’ve got into our attacking stride again. Either way, we’re in a good place.
“Credit to Cray Valley because they’ve had an amazing season themselves.
“Any other season, we’d have won the league by now.
“We’re second favourites at this point, which is credit to us but bigger credit to Cray Valley, who have been brilliant, and we’ve both had FA Cup runs.
“We know we’re in there with another good side and it’s been good for the league.
“A lot of eyes have been on the league.
“We’re still confident we’re going to get promoted, even if we have to go through the play-offs.
“We’re sort of preparing for the play-offs, as we must, but what’s nice is in the last month we’ve played everyone in the top five, apart from Three Bridges, and not lost to any of them.
“We’ve drawn with Sittingbourne and Cray Valley and beaten Chichester and we’ve got Three Bridges on Saturday.
“If we can keep that run going it will stand us in good stead but our aim isn’t the play-offs, it’s to win the league.”
Taylor broke Micky Williamsonian’s club record of 120 goals with his hat-trick in Ramsgate’s 4-2 win at Chichester last weekend.
The pair are set to meet on the pitch before tomorrow’s match.
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Craig Tucker