Dominant Ramsgate delivered a thumping home victory in their top-of-the-table Isthmian South East match against Sheppey on Saturday.

Both headed into the game with perfect league records this season - but the Rams decimated the Ites’ winning run in emphatic style, as it finished 5-0.

Winger Alfie Paxman was at the double for Ben Smith’s side, getting a goal in either half, while Joe Taylor and Benny Bioletti were also on target in the first period before substitute Josh Ajayi rounded things off late on.

Ramsgate had created the first opportunity as defender Jay Leader powerfully headed wide Paxman’s corner in the second minute at Southwood in a sign of what was to come.

United wideman Jordy Ndozid then stabbed the ball into the path of Danny Leonard, although he was met by Leader.

The away defence did just enough to clear a dangerous left-wing cross from Paxman with 16 minutes played.

It was undoubtedly the hosts who had started far stronger, though, and they took a deserved lead in the 19th minute.

Captain Taylor scored his 15th goal of the season from yards out after Sheppey keeper Aiden Prall had saved well from TJ Jadama and Roarie Deacon’s shot had struck the crossbar moments earlier.

Midway through the first half, it got even better for Ramsgate, who went 2-0 ahead in front of another bumper attendance.

Prall came out for Deacon’s free-kick but only made contact with Jadama in an uncharacteristic error, Bioletti left to nod into the vacant net.

Sheppey started to cause problems for the first time shortly after the half-hour mark as defender Aaron Barnes blocked to deny Gil Carvalho from Leonard’s lay-off.

Tempers frayed just before half-time, leaving neither side particularly happy with some of referee Steven Goldup’s decisions.

Next to go close for the home team was Jadama, who blasted well over.

But the Rams did move three goals to the good in first-half stoppage time when Paxman arrowed a right-wing cross into the bottom corner.

Two minutes after the restart, Ndozid became the second visiting player cautioned after he caught Leader in an aerial challenge.

United’s first switch saw Eitel Goueth on for Ndozid - the latter causing damage to the dug-out with a punch - while Ramsgate goalkeeper Tom Hadler tipped wide Carvalho’s shot.

Minutes later, the Ites brought on Dan Bradshaw to replace Gillingham teenager Harry Bridle up front.

The Rams’ first change was an enforced one - Ajayi replacing Bioletti, who was helped off the pitch.

Sheppey defender Lekan Majoyegbe was caught on the ball in the 65th minute. But Prall did enough to thwart Jadama after he had been played in by Ajayi and, soon after, Ajayi himself forced a save from Prall.

But Paxman then got his second three minutes later from Taylor’s drag-back.

Ex-Rams player Carvalho continued to pose a threat to the home defence and forced a 72nd-minute fingertip save from Hadler.

Ramsgate were even able to give youth-team defender Tom Brisley some game-time as Barnes also came off in the later stages.

Brisley looked to have given a penalty away on 82 minutes for a foul on substitute Rhys Wyborn. However, Mr Goldup dismissed appeals from the away fans, who had little to cheer about all afternoon.

Former Dover and Folkestone player Paxman was now on a hat-trick and blasted over from distance, two minutes from time.

United never gave up - Goueth firing over in the third minute of injury time - but Ajayi went straight to the other end to make it five and complete the rout.

The two teams had already met this term in the FA Trophy at Sheppey in early September, Ramsgate edging a five-goal game thanks to a late winner.

Home manager Smith made four changes to his starting line-up from the one which were beaten 3-1 by Isthmian Premier Cray Valley PM in the FA Trophy third qualifying round last weekend.

Midfielder Jadama, making his 200th first-team appearance, returned from illness and was joined in the side by Bioletti, Deacon and Paxman. They replaced wideman TT Walters and Ajayi, as well as Tom Carlse and midfielder Medy Elito.

For Ernie Batten’s troops, returning to competitive action after a two-week break, they selected an unchanged starting line-up.

The Ites are at Merstham on Tuesday in the league while second-placed Ramsgate visit Steyning Town Community on the same night, aiming to maintain their perfect Isthmian South East record.

Ramsgate: Hadler, Barnes (Brisley 78mins), Leader, Clifford (Walters 79mins), Bioletti (Ajayi 57mins), Gard, Taylor, Deacon (Carlse 74mins), Paxman, Judd, Jadama. Sub not used: Newcombe.

Sheppey United: Prall, Ganiwa (Itauma 77mins), Majoyegbe, Christie, Taylor, Leonard, Lambert, Carvalho (Aiye 77mins), Diallo (Wyborn 63mins), Ndozid (Goueth 53mins), Bridle (Bradshaw 56mins).

Referee: Steven Goldup.

Attendance: 1,053.