- League One AFC Wimbledon proved too much for non-league Ramsgate
- Three goals in the first half ensured that Jackson’s side had a firm grip on the break
- IAN LADYMAN: Liverpool are two players short of another great spell – It all starts
AFC Wimbledon knows a thing or two about cup upsets. Whether it’s the 3-2 win over West Ham in 2019 or the more famous 1988 FA Cup victory in the club’s previous formation with the ‘Crazy Gang’, they understand what it’s like to be the underdog.
Dons boss Johnnie Jackson will therefore be pleased that their clash with Ramsgate in the eighth tier went off without a hitch after a resounding 5-0 win thanks to two goals from Ali Al Hamadi and one from Jake Reeves, Josh Neufville and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans .
“These can be tough nights, but I thought we were really good,” Jackson said.
Ramsgate – who had a collection of former EFL fanatics at his side, including ex-Man United youngster Lee Martin, a midfielder the Red Devils bought from Wimbledon for £1million at the age of 16 – were backed by a vocal traveling support.
They started well but soon fell behind after Alfie Young gave the ball away as they tried to play from the back, while Reeves fired home majestically after good work from Al Hamadi.
AFC Wimbledon scored three goals in the first half, leaving Ramsgate with virtually no chance of a comeback
Ali Al Hamadi scored a brace to send his side to the third round of the FA Cup
Josh Neufville (left) was also on the scoresheet at Plow Lane with an impressive performance
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Iraq international Al Hamadi added a second as he nodded home after one of many fine stops from Ramsgate keeper Tom Hadler, before Josh Neufville scored a third.
Al Hamadi is one of the stars of the EFL and has a fascinating backstory after his family moved to England when he was just one as they fled the war in Iraq. The forward has now scored 11 goals this season and it is only a matter of time before he attracts serious interest from clubs higher up the pyramid.
The minnows – who won six games to reach the second round for the first time in their history – almost had their second round but Dons keeper Alex Bass made a fine stop at point blank range after Tijan Jadama’s header, before the second top scorer in the league Joe. Taylor could have done better – after nine goals.
Lemonheigh-Evans added a fourth with a lovely low strike before Al Hamadi made it five as the Dons showed their ruthless side and booked a home tie with Ipswich in round three.
It could have been a lot worse without Hadler’s heroics, while Josh Davison also hit the post.
But the 1,400 visiting supporters – double the average home attendance – did not let the result dampen their spirits, as ‘Ramsgate are huge’ continued to echo from the away team.
“I’m extremely proud,” said Ramsgate boss Ben Smith. ‘We’re little old Ramsgate. It’s not about this night. It’s about the journey that got us here.’
