Ringmer 2nd XI - 3 v 1 – Lingfield 2nd XI

24/11/07

Match Report by Rob Hawkes

 

It was not easy to predict the outcome of this game as Lingfield came to The Caburn sitting two points above Ringmer in the league and as the two teams lined up against each other it looked like boys against men, as once again Bob showed his confidence in his Youth players and fielded another young Reserves side.

 

With a 4-3-3 formation it was a very positive, attack minded Ringmer side that started well, taking the game to Lingfield and creating good chances in the opening minutes. Their early pressure paid off as they took the lead in the 6th minute, breaking out of defence, the ball found Rob Frost running in to goal from wide left and by chipping the ball over the keeper to the back post Ryan Betsworth had the relatively simple job of heading the ball home from a yard out to make it 1 - 0.

 

Despite their total control of the game, Ringmer conceded a goal against the run of play as Matt May threw the ball out to set up another Ringmer attack, but it was Lingfield who were quickest to react to the throw and thumped the ball back past Matt into the Ringmer net to draw level, 1 – 1.

 

The second half started with Bob making one change: resting James Novis and bringing on Scott Taylor. Ringmer then resumed the game with the same flare and determination they’d shown throughout the first half and ten minutes in they regained the lead with an excellent solo effort from Rob Frost. With the tenacity that few other players have, Rob time and again puts defenders under pressure to clear balls that others have given up as lost causes. This time his pressure resulted in the Lingfield defender rushing a back pass to his keeper who in turn failed to control and Rob’s tenacity was rewarded as he leapt on the loose ball and passed it into the back of the net to make it 2 - 1.

 

Bob was forced into another substitution as Jack Sewell was forced to retire injured, being replaced at left back by Joe Arnold. A few minutes later he rested Ryan Betsworth, replacing him up front with Andy Smith. In the 84th minute it was these two substitutes who had a hand in Ringmer’s third goal. Breaking out of defence, Joe Arnold started the move by making one of his mazy runs through midfield and passing the ball wide left to Rob Frost who fired in from a tight angle. The ball was followed into the net by Andy Smith who may (or may not) have got a foot to the ball. (Without video evidence it is for Rob and Andy to agree whose goal it was.)

 

The match concluded 3 – 1 which was a great result, but the score line does not give credit to the amount of possession Ringmer enjoyed, the number of chances they created or the way in which they won.

 

At Bob’s insistence I have to give credit to the Ringmer midfield trio of Hawkes, Sowter and Gray who were “fantastic”. After the game Bob said “You have got to be good to play three across the middle and we got it right today.”…”all three were superb”. A sentiment I would whole heartedly endorse.

 

 

 

No	Players.Name	Substitution ...,,	Goals	Remarks.....
1	Matt May	.	-	-
2	Will Broomfield	.	.	.
3	Jack Sewell	Joe Arnold	.	.
4	Elliot Finney	.	.	.
5	Jesse Stonell	.	.	.
6	Josh Hawkes	.	.	.
7	Jayson Sowter	.	.	.
8	Jamie Gray	.	.	(C)
9	Ryan Betsworth	Andy Smith	1	6(RB)
10	Rob Frost	.	2	55,84
11	James Novis	Scott Taylor	.	.
	SUBSTITUTES---
12	Joe Arnold	Used (64)	.	.
14	.Scott Taylor	Used (46)	.	.
15	Andy Smith	Used (70)	.	-
16	.	Not Used	.	-
17	.	Not Used	-	.
.	.	.	.
Management
Manager		Bob Munnery
Head Coach		Louis Munnery
Sports Therapist		...
Official
Referee		Matt Goldsmith
Club Linesman		Lee Cramp (R)

Please note: The above report is a personal view by the writer, Rob Hawkes and should not been seen as necessarily totally factual or accurate. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the contents no liability rests with the writer and the contents should be studied and approved by the editor and Ringmer FC in general prior to publication.