Ali Al-Hamadi scored twice and set up a third as AFC Wimbledon ended Ramsgate’s Emirates FA Cup dream with a 5-0 win at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
The travelling Rams started the evening as the lowest-ranked team left in the competition and trailed after just eight minutes when 21-year-old striker Al-Hamadi pounced on a loose pass to feed Jake Reeves, who rifled a brutal strike into the top-left corner.
The hosts doubled their advantage when Al-Hamadi poked home at the far post after a melee in the box, though eighth-tier Ramsgate missed a glorious chance to halve the deficit shortly before half time.
After a wicked cross from Jack Parter, Tijan Jadama’s close-range header was pushed clear and a glorious chance fell to former Manchester United trainee Lee Martin, who could only blaze over from seven yards.
"I think any striker coming off at two goals would've been frustrated"
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 4, 2023
A professional attitude from @AFCWimbledon's Al-Hamadi 👏@KatieShanahan3 | #ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/nd3O2n2CJJ
Less than two minutes later, the game was sealed as Josh Neufville fired into the bottom corner after Al-Hamadi’s shot was saved inside the box.
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans then found the bottom right corner after a brilliant turn and spin to put The Dons 4-0 up three minutes after half-time.
And Al-Hamadi scored his second of the match five minutes later, intercepting another poor Rams pass before smashing beyond Tom Hadler for his 11th goal of the season.
Wimbledon searched for a sixth but had to settle for five, just as they did in the first round against Cheltenham Town, after excellent defensive work from Joe Ellul and Jack Paxman.
Reward for Wimbledon is a home tie in the third round against Championship high-flyers Ipswich.
The Dons will be bidding to reach the fourth round for the first time in five seasons, but the formbook is against them, with just one victory in their last six meetings against the Tractor Boys.
