SALTDEAN 2nd X1 0 - 3 RINGMER 2nd X1

16/11/07

Match Report by Rob Hawkes

 

What is it about Ringmer 2nd XI football that drags you out into a freezing November night to watch what are essentially 22 would-be-first-team-footballers play out a fixture that few outside of the two clubs care about or are even aware of; whilst most football fans in the country would have been tucked up in their warm living rooms or pub to watch England play Austria? Well, unlike the sterile, passionless, McClaren orchestrated frustration which was played out in Vienna, this was a game full of raw talent, passion, ambition and commitment and a thoroughly enjoyable one (for us) to watch.

 

Those of us that traveled with the Ringmer 2nd XI to Saltdean on Friday night might have developed some of the early signs of hypothermia whilst watching the game, but we were treated to an excellent display of football from the young reserve team (average age less than 18).

Ringmer completely dominated the first half with 80% of the possession. Kieran Patel’s first effort on goal hit the cross bar in the 2nd minute following a series of three corners. Saltdean’s only notable attempt on goal came after 20 minutes of Ringmer domination and against the run of play. Saltdean broke quickly down their right wing and as Matt May came out to clear the ball their long range effort left Matt stranded but bounced harmlessly off the Ringmer cross bar.

 

In the 27th minute Ryan Betsworth forced a good save out of the Saltdean keeper after a great run from Will Broomfield from deep in his own half, passing the ball inside to Ryan who fired low into the bottom right hand corner but the keeper palmed the ball round the post. In the 39th minute Ringmer finally got the goal that their domination and persistence deserved, with (the aptly named) Frost linking up with Patel whose great strike went low and to the keepers left to make it 0 – 1 to Ringmer.

 

Saltdean came out for the second half determined to make more of a fight of it. But this seemed born out of frustration and at times their challenges seemed cynical and unnecessarily physical with the intent to intimidate. It is all credit to the Ringmer players that they did not allow themselves to be dragged into a kicking match and maintained their discipline throughout. Bob and Steve were forced into an early change when in the 49th minute Josh Hawkes retired unable to continue playing, being replaced in midfield by Louis Munnery.

 

Ringmer increased their lead in the 54th minute from a set piece delivered by Novis from wide right, which was flicked on by Broomfield. The ball fell to Betsworth who fired through a crowded penalty area to make it 0 – 2. Four minutes later Kieran Patel made it 0 – 3 after Louis Munnery had run to the by-line and cut the ball back for Kieran to chip the keeper as he tried to narrow the angles.

 

Bob and Steve made two more substitutions before the game concluded bringing Justin Wood on in the 69th minute for Jack Sewell who had a very good game, battling hard at left back. Then bringing Amro Shaker on for Louis Munnery whose injuries sustained through repeatedly being fouled rendered him unable to continue.

 

Ringmer ran out 0 – 3 winners against a physical Saltdean side. They dominated possession and played with flare and talent throughout the game. All the lads gave good individual performances and gelled well as a unit. It was a freezing cold night in Saltdean, but it was well worth suffering the cold to watch a great game of football.

 

 

 

 

No	Players.Name	Substitution ...,,	Goals	Remarks
1	Matt May	.	-	.
2	Jesse Stonell	.	.	.
3	Jack Sewell	Justin Wood	.	.
4	Will Broomfield	.	.	.
5	Elliott Finney	.	.	.
6	Jayson Sowter	.	.	.
7	James Novis	.	.	.
8	Josh Hawkes	Louis Munnery Amro Shaker	.	JH Inj LM Inj
9	Ryan Betsworth	.	1	54
10	Rob Frost	.	.	.
11	Kieran Patel	.	2	39,58
-	SUBSTITUTES	-	-	-
12	Louis Munnery	Used (49)	.	.
14	Jake Buckle	Not Used	.	.
15	Amro Shaker	Used (81)	.	-
16	Justin Wood	Used (69)	.	-
17	.	Not Used	-	.
.	.
On the Side
Manager		Bob Munnery	.	.
Coach		Steve Oliver	.
Sports Therapist		.	.	.
Official
Referee		Ray Roberts		.
Assistants		Lee Cramp (R)	(S)?.

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.