Northwood’s trip to the Kent coast ended in disappointment as they exited the FA Trophy at the first hurdle following a 3-0 defeat at Ramsgate on a sweltering afternoon at the Southwood Stadium.

Following a bad journey and a delayed kick-off due to the match officials also being caught up in heavy traffic, Woods took to the 3G pitch with Harry McCorkell reinstated to the midfield as Luke Brophy reverted to the bench, the only change from the team which started Tuesday’s FA Cup replay success over Binfield.

Woods were on the back foot from the start as Tijan Jadama went close before goalkeeper Andrew McCorkell kept out a close-range attempt from Bodi Anidugbe while experienced striker Joe Taylor crashed a shot against the Northwood crossbar.

Things were made considerably more difficult for the visitors as they lost influential skipper Luke Tingey to injury with only ten minutes on the clock, with Romario Jonas his replacement.

Northwood barely had time to readjust before the lively Benni Bioletti sent over a cross which was converted by Medy Elito at the far post to give the Rams the lead on 13 minutes.

The hosts threatened further goals as keeper McCorkell produced a couple for fine saves to keep out Alfie Paxman and Taylor.

Northwood gradually found their feet as Kofi Anokye-Boadi cut in from the right flank before shooting narrowly over. Harry Gallagher then went close to adding to his recent goal tally after he was picked out by Teddy Stacey’s deep cross, the defender’s shot curling over the far stanchion.

Woods continued to probe as Deago Dunbar-Bonnie released Osaretin Otote whose low cross almost reached the on-rushing Anokye-Boadi but was diverted behind by a covering defender.

Having forced a couple of corners, Woods then had some more defending to do as Taylor thought he had increased his side’s lead as he poked the ball beyond McCorkell only to see the covering Stacey hook the ball off the line.

The reprieve was shortlived though, as Ramsgate all but wrapped up the tie with two goals at the end of the first half – goalkeeper Tom Hadler’s long kick picking out Jadama who got beyond Stacey and delivered an emphatic finish on 41 minutes before Mike West broke through the middle of the Woods defence to make it 3-0 in the second minute of added time.

Northwood remained unchanged for the second period and the Rams almost compounded the visitors’ misery as possession was squandered in the middle of the park enabling Bioletti to surge forward with his initial shot being kept out by McCorkell before his follow-up effort rebounded of the upright.

To their credit, Woods refused to throw in the towel, and they proceeded to play with purpose and moved the ball around well as they looked to retrieve something from the afternoon.

But the Rams continued to threaten on the break as McCorkell denied Taylor once again before Jonas cleared a goal-bound effort from Jadama.

The Woods continued to enjoy plenty of possession without truly threatening – substitute Sam Jenkins’ audacious long-range attempt dropping wide after spotting Hadler off his line while Dunbar-Bonnie almost latched onto a searching cross from Brophy who had a shot of his own from distance which found the side-netting.

However, Northwood were unable to find a consolation, although they did close when Hadler parried a Gallagher free-kick and Jenkins almost latched onto the rebound.