East Preston 3 Ringmer 2

(Brighton Charity Cup semi final)

14/04/08

Match Report by David Ruffles

 

Ringmer’s last hopes of getting their hands on some silverware this season vanished on Monday night as the Blues threw away a 2-1 lead by conceding two goals in the last fifteen minutes at East Preston.

 

East Preston took the lead after five minutes when a long ball over the top by Ben Harwood was met on the run by Tom Lawley who sent in a low shot beyond the reach of Joe Adams. Ringmer then fought back immediately with a cross from Glen Matten which keeper Tom Rand was forced to punch the ball away from the head of Nick Braden. Then the Blues drew level when a corner from Luke Gedling was headed home via the underside of the cross bar by Ryan MacMillan. Lawley had two quick chances to regain the lead for the home side but his first effort hit the top of the crossbar on its way out of play while his second was wide of the target. Otherwise Ringmer were in control for the remainder of the first half with Danny McLaughlin, Glen Matten and Gedling close to scoring for the Blues. Then three minutes from the half time whistle Aaron MacMillan, replacing the injured Andy Hart, crossed the ball into the six yard box for McLaughlin to head the ball past Rand.

 

The second half was a very scrappy affair until an equaliser for the home side changed the complexion of the game after seventy five minutes. Chris Darwin’s electrifying run down the left wing created uncertainty in the Ringmer defence as Ryan MacMillan and Adams hesitated to close him down and this allowed him time to strike the ball between them and into the net. East Preston then pinned Ringmer back on the defensive and reaped their reward with a carbon copy goal from Darwin some five minutes from time.

 

 

 

	Player	Goals	Comment
1	Joe Adams	.	(GK)
2	Glen Matten	.	.
3	Andy Hart	.	.
4	Dave Soutar	.	.
5	Jack Johnson	.	.
17	Ryan MacMillan	14	.
7	Luke Gedling	.	.
8	Danny McLaughlin	42	.
9	Mark Whiteman	.	.
10	Miles Scerri	.	.
11	Nick Barden	.	(Capt.)
6	-----------------	.	shirt retired for season

 

.	Substitutes	Goals	Comment
12	Ryan Betsworth	.	Not Used
14	Kieran Patel	.	On for J. Johnson
15	Simon Greatwich	.	Not Used
16	Aaron MacMillan	.	On for A. Hart
18	.	.	.

 

Manager	Steve Johnson
Coach	Paul Thomsett
Sports Therapist	Ian Fairs

 

Referee	Boris Erguven
Assistant No.1	Alan Stringer
Assistant No.2	Keith Brisley
Attendance	48