The Gulls host Ramsgate at the Steves Taxis Stadium on Saturday as both sides look to end the season on a high. The last meeting between the two ended in a 2-0 win for the Rams at the Southwood Stadium, a result the Gulls will be desperate to reverse on home turf. Canvey head into the match-up rooted to the foot of the table and in poor form, whilst Ramsgate sit mid-table and will be keen to finish the season with three points.

Form Guide
The Gulls’ league position and recent results makes for a bad reading for supporters. They currently sit bottom of the division and their last five matches read three defeats and two draws. Their most recent outing was a 4-1 defeat to St Albans City, where a late consolation from Conor Hubble gave the travelling supporters something to cheer about. In the form table Garry Kimble’s side are 22nd, having picked up just 2 points from their last six matches, highlighting the desire for a positive end to the season at the Steves Taxis Stadium.

The Rams travel to the Island off the back of five straight defeats across their last five league fixtures. They occupy 11th place in the league and have accumulated 3 points from their last six matches, placing them 19th in the form rankings. Their last contest was a 2-0 defeat to Hashtag United at the Southwood Stadium, a scoreline that confirmed their fifth straight defeat with the Tags firing home twice in six minutes in the second-half.

The Visitors
The origins of the Visitors date back to at least 1886, though the original club folded in 1924. Ramsgate Glenville, then local rivals, took over Southwood Stadium, but after they failed to reform after World War II, Ramsgate Athletic was established, keeping that name until 1972. The club enjoyed its first successful spell in the original Kent League, winning two titles and reaching the first round of the FA Cup before the league folded in 1959. So the Rams moved to the Southern League, then later returning to the re-formed Kent League in 1976.

After years of steady performance, success returned in 2004 under Jim Ward, who led back-to-back promotions into the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club finished 5th in 2007/08, reaching the play-offs, and won the Isthmian League Cup, but were unfortunately relegated the following season. In 2023/24, Ramsgate reached the FA Cup second round for the first time, defeating Woking FC before going on to lose to AFC Wimbledon. Despite a play-off setback, they secured promotion back to the Isthmian Premier Division as champions the following season.

Three fun facts on Saturday’s visitors. Firstly, the Rams’ record goal scorer is Joe Taylor who has netted 170 goals for the club, their Record attendance was achieved in 1956/57 against local rivals Margate where 5,038 spectators went to see the Thanet derby and lastly, their biggest recorded victory came against Canterbury City in 2000/01 where they defeated City 12-1 in the Kent League, and a bonus fact the club has effectively been ‘reborn’ more than once, after the original team folded in 1924, and again after World War II, yet it still plays at the same home, Southwood Stadium!

Insight
Tactically, the Gulls must shore up a defence that has been leaking goals and find greater clinical edge in the final third if they are to convert chances into points. Their ability to score late demonstrates resilience, with the last four goals from that Canvey has scored has been past the 80’ minute mark, but the consistency over 90 minutes has been lacking. Ramsgate are likely to adopt a pragmatic approach: look to stay compact, exploit spaces on the counter, and take advantage of any defensive lapses from the Gulls. Set-pieces and quick transitions could prove decisive given the sides’ recent results.

Ones To Watch
Ones to watch for the Rams include winger Alfie Paxman who has picked up 13 goals in 46 appearances across the season and forward Mitchell May who has netted 12 goals in thirteen games less than his teammate Alfie, for the Gulls midfielder and top goalscorer Conor Hubble will be looking to get on the scoresheet for the fifth time this season and fan-favourite Matas Skarna will be hoping to get the fans on their feet against the Rams with his tricks and flicks and will want to round off his league campaign with a goal.

Key Questions
Key factors heading into the match include whether Canvey can use home advantage and support to spark a strong performance, and whether Ramsgate can stay compact at the back while finding the cutting edge in attack to take advantage of Canvey’s struggles. The recent head-to-head and league form suggest Ramsgate are marginal favourites, but Canvey’s desire for points makes this a potentially cagey fixture.

Admission details at the Steves Taxis Stadium are as follows; £12 for Adults, £8 for Concessions, and £3 for Under-16s.

Directions to the Steves Taxis Stadium (SS8 7PX);
By Car:
Exit M25 at Junction 30 and take the A13 towards Southend. You will reach a series of mini roundabouts. At these roundabouts, take the A130 towards Canvey Island. At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit which will keep a sports centre on your right and follow signs for Canvey Island Football Club. Eventually, you will enter a one way system. Keep left through the one way system and after one mile you will pass the Transport Museum on your right. Park Lane is on the right hand side shortly afterwards, with The Steves Taxis Stadium located in front of you. There is plenty of parking outside the ground.
By Train:
Benfleet Station is 40 minutes from London Fenchurch Street and 50 minutes from London Liverpool Street on the C2C line. The station is 5 miles from the ground. There is a taxi rank around the back of the station. Alternatively, you can use the frequent bus service from the front of the station.
By Bus:
You can use the number 22 or 27 bus to be dropped directly outside Park Lane. Alternatively, you can use the number 21 or 21A to be dropped by the sea wall. From here, continue walking in the direction you travelled across some playing fields, and you will see The Prospects Stadium on your left.

Kick-off is at 3:00pm, see you there Canvey fans!