East Grinstead Town 0 - 3 Ringmer 1st X1 27/02/08 Match Report by Rob Hawkes

This semi final was played out at the neutral Three Bridges FC ground which was in excellent condition and a very appropriate venue for this important tie between these two good footballing sides. Coming into this game East Grinstead were sitting top of Sx County Div 2 and Ringmer mid table of Sx County Div 1, neutrals may have expected a closer score line

Ringmer kicked off and took a flying start in the second minute of the game when Jack Johnson fed the ball through from midfield to Mark Whiteman who beat the East Grinstead offside trap to fire past the exposed keeper. East Grinstead kept up an excellent work rate throughout the game, but could not capitalise on their sustained pressure and the first half concluded 0 – 1 to Ringmer

Joe Dryer extended Ringmer’s lead in the 53rd minute with one of his characteristic left footed strikes after Dan McLaughlin had tormented the EG defence on the edge of their penalty area before a blocked shot came out to Dryer on the edge of the area to hammer home

East Grinstead did get the ball in the Ringmer net in the 58th minute but it was disallowed as the player who got the final touch was standing on the goal line and consequently flagged offside. Undeterred East Grinstead continued to pile on the pressure to get back into this game, but the Ringmer back four worked brilliantly to keep them at bay. Joe Adams in the Ringmer goal was called into action on a number of occasions and was never found wanting

Mark Whiteman effectively secured Ringmer’s place in the Final with a 70th minute strike from 20 yards, again set up by Jack Johnson to make it 0 – 3

East Grinstead never gave up, forcing Joe Adams into action on a number of occasions and calling for some excellent goal line clearances from the Ringmer defence to keep a clean sheet. But the evening was Ringmer’s. Their quality and professionalism shone through. From front to back the strength of the Ringmer squad was evident to anyone who watched the game. East Grinstead may feel rightly aggrieved that all their hard work didn’t even yield a consolation goal, but they were worthy opponents and it was obvious why they are storming County Div 2.

 

 

 

 

	Player	Goals	Comment
1	Joe Adams	.	(GK)
2	Dave Soutar	.	.
3	Josh Lawrence	.	.
4	Steve Hunt	.	.
5	Jack Johnson	.	.
6	.	.	shirt retired for season
7	Luke Gedling	.	.
8	Dan McLaughlin	.	.
9	Mark Whiteman	1, 70	.
10	Joe Dryer	53	.
11	Nick Barden	.	(Capt.)
17	Ryan MacMillan	.	.

 

.	Substitutes	Goals	Comment
12	James Novis	.	Not Used
14	Elliott Finney	.	on for Hunt (74)
15	Amro Shaker	.	on for Dryer (76)
16	Kieran Patel	.	on for Gedling (67)
18	Miles Scerri	.	Not Used

 

Manager	Steve Johnson
Coach	Paul Thomsett
Sports Therapist	Ian Fairs

 

Referee	Gary Croft
Assistant No.1	John Pike
Assistant No.2	Mathew Goldsmith
Forth Official	John Flynn