Ringmer 3 Leatherhead 3

21/07/08

Report by David Ruffles

 

The new football season got off to a flying start on Saturday at the Caburn with Ringmer taking the lead in the third minute against their Ryman League opponents when Aaron MacMillan successfully lobbed the visiting goalkeeper from just outside his penalty area. Leatherhead responded immediately with Matt May needing to be at full stretch to parry away a powerful strike to deny an equaliser after five minutes. Both sides played a neat passing game which was a joy to watch with Eddie Koboah for Ringmer looking dangerous every time he received the ball as his pace troubled his marker. Meanwhile Leatherhead’s attacks frequently fell foul of the offside rule. However two goals in quick succession after thirty minutes saw the visitors go in at half time with a one goal advantage.

 

Both sides missed open goals early in the second half before Leatherhead went further ahead. Ringmer responded immediately with a nearly candidate for goal of the season. A typical burst of pace by Koboah down the right set up a chance for Mark Price to blast home from just inside the penalty area. Then Paul Thomsett’s pass from near the halfway line found Marc Whiteman free on the left and his shot went in off the post to level the scores with nearly thirty minutes left to play. Minutes later the Blues were awarded a penalty but Whiteman’s rather weak spot kick was easily saved. The same player also wasted another chance before the end when clear with just the keeper to beat but his shot cannoned off the keeper’s legs and out of play.

 

Steve Johnson was very pleased with the performance of his players who matched Leatherhead stride for stride and he felt they made better use of their share of possession. Overall it was an enjoyable game to watch and if the Blues continue to serve up football of this quality it promises to be a good season at the Caburn.

 

 

 

No	Players.Name	Substitution ...,,	Goals	Remarks
1	Matt May	.	-	-
2	Andy Hart	.	.	.
3	Dan Evans	.	.	-
4	Phil Elkins	.	.	.
5	Ryan MacMillan	.	.	.Captain
6	Luke Gedling	.	.	,
7	Mark Price	.	1	.
8	Aaron MacMillan	.	1	.
9	Mark Whiteman	.	1	-
10	Eddie Koboah	.	.	.
11	Nick Barden	.	.	.
-	SUBSTITUTES	-	-	-
12	Paul Thomsett	Used	.	.
14	Chris Shoult	Used	.	.
15	.	Not Used	.	-
16	.	Not Used	.	-
17	.	Not Used	-	.
Manager		Steve Johnson	.	.
Head Coach		Bechard Bejaoui	.	.
Sports Therapist		Ian Fairs	.	.