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Ramsgate lead Chatham on goal difference in Isthmian South East title race with sides to meet on Monday | Rams boss Jamie Coyle says his side are relishing the run-in

A huge Easter weekend awaits as Ramsgate chase the club’s first league title in 17 years.

Rams’ postponement at Chichester on Saturday gave rivals Chatham the chance to move a point clear in the Isthmian South East title race.

TJ Jadama scored Ramsgate's late equaliser at Chichester on Tuesday night. Picture: Ian Scammell
TJ Jadama scored Ramsgate's late equaliser at Chichester on Tuesday night. Picture: Ian Scammell

However, they regained top spot on goal difference after a 2-2 draw in the rearranged fixture last night.

Taofiq Olomowewe and TJ Jadama, with an 89th-minute equaliser, struck as Rams twice came from a goal down to salvage a point.

Jamie Coyle’s side host fifth-placed Beckenham at Southwood on Saturday and that’s followed by a potential title decider at Chatham on Easter Monday (3pm).

It’s a period Rams have long had their eye on with the club targeting a first championship since winning the old Isthmian Division 1 at the first attempt under Jim Ward in 2006.

There’s no let-up after Easter, with Whitehawk at home and Ashford away to finish the season.

“It’s a huge weekend coming up,” said Rams boss Coyle.

“All season we’ve looked at the last four fixtures and knew they were going to be really tough.

“But our form against the top sides has been really good.

“When you look at the stats, we beat Chatham at home, Whitehawk away and Ashford at home.

“They’re all teams that are up there and we’ve had some really good results against them, so I think the players relish these cup-final type of games.

“They look forward to them more than anything else.

Ramsgate manager Jamie Coyle. Picture: Ian Scammell
Ramsgate manager Jamie Coyle. Picture: Ian Scammell

“If you’d said at the start of the season or midway through the season we’d be where we are now, anyone would have taken it.

“We’ve given ourselves a really good opportunity of achieving something the club’s not done for many years.

“It’s exciting to see the whole vibe around the club. It’s a proper football club now.

“You used to dread going to Ramsgate because it was such a dive, the pitch was horrible and it was a horrible place to go.

“The way the club has been transformed, all the effort and finance that’s been put into it, with the ground and the 3G pitch, and all the work with the youth teams and youth development, it’s testament to the chairman (James Lawson) and all the work behind the scenes.

“The changes have benefited everyone at the club and it would be nice to give something back.

“The players are working extremely hard and the management team are working extremely hard to bring success to the club and the town.

“It’s great to be part of driving the club forward.

“James has worked tirelessly behind the scenes and it feels like everyone is pulling in the same direction.

“It helps when you’re winning, of course, because that positive vibe breeds through the whole club. We’re desperate to try and give something back.”

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