MATCH REPORT: RESERVES VS RINGMER AFC III

Wow! What a goal fest.

With the first team game postponed owing to a waterlogged pitch at Shoreham the watching clubmen were treated to a thriller on a pitch that was remarkably good given 60mm of rain in the week albeit it was soft in a few places.

The first minute saw Scotty Taylor go down in the visitors penalty area after a clumsy challenge but the appeals were waved away by the official. Ringmer should have opened the scoring after some calamitous home defending but somehow Will Sutton blocked the final shot with his face whilst lying prone on the line. Skipper Owen Ridley then determinedly blocked two shots when a goal seemed inevitable before the home side took the lead. Taylor received the ball in a wide left position before playing a quality pass into the run of Ridley who steered the ball superbly into the net.

However ten minutes later & Ringmer equalised after more shoddy defending.

Back came the greens & the lively Ryan Blackstone was through on goal only for the keeper to save, Sean Bristow shot tamely when in a good position following good work from the industrious Jack Birdsall, & Taylor shot over when the opportunity created deserved better.

Then on the stroke of half time left back Will Sutton fired into the top corner from a wide position when a cross would have been more typical! It was a cross, surely?

The second half was even more of a roller coaster ride but the first meaningful action saw Ringmer equalise from a corner. The ball was allowed to bounce in the six yard box as no one showed any leadership & inevitably the ball was headed into the net.

Rotherfield piled forward yet again with a Blackstone header flashing just wide after a quality cross from the right by Lloyd Brazier & Jacob started to influence the attacking play on the left but his shot was fired over. Then Blackstone again found space in behind the visiting defence & when he went around the keeper this time he was unceremoniously flattened by a crude challenge. Penalty awarded & a deserved yellow card for the Ringmer keeper. Taylor despatched a quality penalty for Rotherfield to take the lead again.

It was the turn of Ringmer to flood forward now & with the home defence looking shaky at best it was not a surprise to see Ringmer equalise (again) seizing on an opportunity following an inability to clear the ball effectively.

Then as the home side over committed going forward Ringmer exploited the space to take the lead for the first time.

The game now entered the final 10 minutes with Rotherfield showing loads of character, grunt & effort but quality & composure were lacking. Repeatedly chances did not result after good approach play & a desire to get the ball forward too quickly just gave it back to Ringmer. Then in the 98th minute it was Taylor who scored after playing an excellent give & go with Birdsall, salvaging a point with a quality moment.

This was a hugely entertaining game & the 3 young teenagers in the home starting line up will have learned a lot as they continue their exposure to adult football. Well done to Sam, Jack & Jacob.

Final Score: 4 -4

Squad: Moore, Holman, Ridley, Draper, Sutton, Prince, Chittenden, Birdsall, Taylor, Bristow, Blackstone.

Subs used; Furman, Fothergill, Brazier, King, Lelliott.

Player of the match: Scott Taylor- 2 goals & enough quality to get his team mates votes!