Manager Ben Smith was in tears after Ramsgate’s FA Cup victory over Woking at a packed Southwood. Smith’s Isthmian South East underdogs came from a goal down to beat their National League visitors, a side 62 places above them in the pyramid.
A 2-1 success sent Rams through to the Second Round for the first time in the club’s history, with the draw taking place today (2.30pm).
Smith, remembering his late nan Elizabeth, broke down at full-time while Rams fans in the 3,000 sell-out crowd ran on to the pitch to celebrate the club’s greatest day. “I’m in tears there, I turn round and Jim Ward (ex-Rams boss) is in the same state as I am,” said the Rams boss. “The look on his face, he was made up and there’s so many people like that. “My nan died two years ago, just before the play-off success with Herne Bay.
She got me into football. “I do it because I love it, so to think about her before the game gives me a bit of inspiration. “I’m certainly not a religious man but sometimes you do think what’s going on up there, don’t you?” Ramsgate trailed to a Dennon Lewis goal but TJ Jadama levelled from Tom Hadler’s giant clearance and Lee Martin swept home a corner for the winner. “It’s just incredible,” said Smith, whose side earned £41,000 in prize money for the win. “For the chairman (James Lawson) and the volunteers behind the scenes, I’m just so pleased for them because these moments don’t come around too often.