RINGMER 1ST X1 2 - 1 EASTBOURNE UNITED ASSOCIATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE 23/02/08 Match Report by Rob Hawkes

This match was always going to be a tough affair for Ringmer. Not just because Eastbourne United Association sit five places above Ringmer in the league, but because of the difficult week Ringmer Football Club has had coming to terms with the tragic loss of Herve King during last Saturday’s match against Three Bridges

A minute’s silence was observed before the game in memory of Herve, as it was across the county today, but at the Caburn it was a particularly difficult and very poignant minute for the players, staff and supporters of the club. As the teams lined up, the two sides intertwined, alternating around the centre circle, linking arms showing how the loss of Herve King was not just Ringmer’s, but has been felt throughout County football in Sussex

Eastbourne UA kicked off the first half and I guess I was not alone in wondering how the Ringmer players would start the half as this is not a scenario you can rehearse on the training ground. As it was Ringmer were utterly professional, started well and took an early lead through Mark Whiteman in the 8th minute. Dan McLaughlin’s diagonal ball found Luke Gedling just outside the 6 yard box. Luke fired back across goal and Eastbourne’s Sam Reed could only parry his shot out into the path of Whiteman who fired home from close range

As the first half progressed Eastbourne put the Ringmer back four under sustained pressure, but could not capitalise on the chances they created. In the dying minutes of the half Ringmer finished the stronger side, with two good chances falling to Whiteman who got his shots on target, testing the Eastbourne Keeper once again

The second half was played out in a similar fashion to the first, with both teams playing good attacking football. Ringmer’s chances fell to Patel and Whiteman, both testing Reed in the EUA goal again

In the 68th minute Steve Johnson made a triple substitution, bringing on Aaron MacMillan, Elliott Finney and Amro Shaker for Patel, Barden and Scerri. There is always an element of risk associated with making a triple substitution and so it proved today when Aaron MacMillan was injured almost immediately, reducing Ringmer to ten men for the remainder of the match

Finding deep reserves of energy towards the end of the game Andy Hart started to push forward from his position at Left back and in the 81st minute he scored a fantastic solo effort, running down the left wing to the Eastbourne by-line, cutting back inside, skipping past a couple of EUA defenders and firing home from a tight angle to extend Ringmer’s lead. Where did that come from

Eastbourne halved their deficit in the 86th minute with what turned out to be a consolation goal, when Nathan Milroy ran through the Ringmer defence and fired wide of the out stretched Joe Adams into the back of the net. The game concluded 2 – 1; a thoroughly professional team performance by Ringmer and a tremendous show of strength from the lads given the events of the past week. We all wondered how they would react... need we have doubted? It is probably worth mentioning a few of individual performances of note: Steve Hunt was immense at Centre Back, pulling off some fantastic last ditch tackles and blocking numerous EUA attempts on goal, Dan McLaughlin showed characteristic strength in midfield and Mark Whiteman always looked dangerous in front of goal.

 

 

 

	Player	Goals	Comment
1	Joe Adams	.	(GK)
2	Andy Hart	81	.
3	Nick Barden	.	(Capt.)
4	Steve Hunt	.	.
5	Kieran Patel	.	.
6	.	.	No.6 shirt retired for this season
7	Luke Gedling	.	.
8	Dan McLaughlin	.	.
9	Mark Whiteman	8	.
10	Miles Scerri	.	.
11	Joe Dryer	.	.
17	Ryan MacMillan	.	.

 

	Substitutes	Goals	Comment
12	Glen Matten	,	Not Used
14	Aaron MacMillan	,	On for Patel (68)
15	James Novis	,	Not Used
16	Elliott Finney	,	On for Barden (68)
18	Amro Shaker	,	On for Scerri (68)

 

Manager	Steve Johnson
Coach	Paul Thomsett
Sports Therapist	Ian Fairs

 

Referee	Mr J Pike
Assistant No.1	Mr G Lucas
Assistant No.2	Mr P McAndrew