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Ramsgate boss Ben Smith says Motor Neurone Disease sufferer Ronnie Megrath was the inspiration behind 5-0 win over Beckenham after charity walk to Southwood

League leaders Ramsgate turned on the style on an “emotional” day for the club.

They were inspired to put on a show against Beckenham after Rams fan and Motor Neurone Disease sufferer Ronnie Megrath led fellow supporters on a charity walk to the ground.

Ronnie Megrath arrives at Southwood after completing his charity walk. Picture: Ramsgate FC
Ronnie Megrath arrives at Southwood after completing his charity walk. Picture: Ramsgate FC

Megrath was given a guard of honour by the Rams squad as he arrived at Southwood after completing the mile journey from the Royal Victoria Pavilion pub.

He then led the teams out as Rams beat Beckenham 5-0 on Saturday to maintain top spot in Isthmian South East.

The walk made £700 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Megrath has now raised more than £2,500 in total for the charity. You can donate by clicking here.

“It was quite an emotional day for the football club,” said Ramsgate manager Ben Smith.

“Ronnie’s a long-time supporter of Ramsgate and it was nice to see people turning out for him and doing the walk.

“Between 150-200 fans joined him and they walked a mile from the Wetherspoons up to the ground.

“All the players performed a guard of honour for him when he came through the main gates.

“He was part of our team-talk and the boys went out there and performed for him.

“He led the teams out as well and I think the boys certainly did it for Ronnie on Saturday.”

Benny Bioletti gave Ramsgate an early lead, while two perfectly good goals were ruled out before half-time.

Smith’s side pulled clear after the break with Joe Taylor’s penalty, two goals in four minutes from Roarie Deacon and a final strike from TJ Jadama.

Beckenham were the early-season pace-setters and arrived at Southwood in fifth place but had no answer to the rampant hosts.

“It was a hard one to know what to expect,” said Smith.

“They had five new players within the squad so they certainly came with some expectations of getting a result.

“We didn’t give them a minute to breathe. We were outstanding.

“It’s easy for people to say Beckenham weren’t great, or they’ve lost a couple of players, but they’ve signed good players, they’ve signed players from the league above and they’re a threat going forward.

“Louie Thoephanous is one of the best around but we just blew them away.

“There’s an offside goal that’s not offside and a ghost goal that’s about five yards over the line and wasn’t given, so we came in at half-time only at 1-0 and felt a bit hard done by.

“The amount of times we have that happen and it’s only 1-0 and you’re one chance away from being pegged back and momentum can shift but we kept going.

“It was a really strong performance from us.

“We were relentless and, to be fair, their keeper’s kept the scoreline down.

“We’re building a lot of momentum but we know there’s some real tough games round the corner.”

Smith paid tribute to Deacon after his quickfire double midway through the second half.

Identified as one of Rams’ unsung heroes by coach Darren Beale last week, he again showed his quality.

Best-known as a winger, he’s been excelling at right-back.

“He’s playing out of position for me but I’m not saying he’s playing out of position because he’s played so well there,” said Smith.

“He does an amazing job for the team.

“He’s a calming influence for everyone.

“He just goes about his business quietly but he’s influential in terms of at half-time and before games.

“He’s got a good footballing brain and is very much the voice of reason among the players, which is nice to have.”

Ramsgate visit Erith Town this Saturday (3pm), followed by a trip to Merstham on Tuesday (7.45pm).

They’re set to have a new face available for the weekend with striker Jefferson Aibangbee joining from Sevenoaks.

“He brings power, pace, goals and assists, all of which we’ll need down the stretch,” said Smith.

“He’s not a young player so he comes in with a bit of experience and can hit the ground running.

“He fits the way we play as well. Sevenoaks play a similar style of football to us, so it’s not like he’s coming in and it’s completely different.

“Sevenoaks are one of the form teams in the league and he’s been a massive part of that, so we’re delighted to get him on board.

“I thank Sevenoaks for their understanding with him.

“He broke his leg a year or so ago, and Marcel (Nimani, manager) has done an unbelievable job with him.

“Marcel’s a friend of mine and I want to see Sevenoaks do well.

“They’re good people and a good club but if he was going to leave, we were certainly going to be a club that wanted to take him.

“Their loss was definitely going to be our gain.”

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