Ramsgate boss Ben Smith says FA Cup hat-trick hero Joe Taylor has more to his game than goals

Ramsgate boss Ben Smith says there’s more to Joe Taylor than goals after the returning striker scored an FA Cup hat-trick.

Taylor marked his latest home debut with a treble as Rams beat Bexhill United 4-1 in the Preliminary Round on Saturday.

He added to Joe Ellul’s early opener and struck twice in the last 10 minutes, including a penalty, to send Rams through.

They’ve been drawn away to Chatham in the First Qualifying Round on September 2.

Smith knew Taylor would be a safe bet for goals after bringing the striker back to Southwood from Isthmian Premier Lewes, where he scored 37 times last season.

But he proved on Saturday he has many strings to his bow.

“Joe’s ruthless, and everyone talks about his goals, but I don’t think people give him the credit he deserves for his build-up play,” said Smith.

“He adds so much to our team and he’ll help bring the best out of the other players because teams can’t just go and double up on Jordan Green or Alfie Paxman out wide.

“We added TJ Jadama back into the side after injury, and you’ve got him running around.

“They’re a dynamic front four and they’re going to take some stopping.

“With Joe, he’s a big, strong lad, with great touch and great awareness.

“He’s a very different player to the ones we’ve had up there and it takes everyone time to understand his game as well.

“In our training sessions, it’s very much been a case of trying to drill in how we use him best, because again people will just expect him to be a goalscorer but he adds a lot more than that, which is exciting.

“It was good to see him get his goals. He had his family there and he got a goal for each of his kids and a nice photo afterwards.

“I’m sure that was a special moment for him and hopefully one of many.”

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