Arundel 2^nd XI – 3 v 1 –Ringmer 2^nd XI

Reserve Premier Division

14/03/09

Match Report by Steve Frost

As you approach Arundel from the east your eyes are drawn to the magnificent castle overlooking the town with the football pitch nestled adjacent to the River Arun at the foot of the castle. The weather was dry and bright with a gentle breeze blowing down river.

Arundel kicked off down wind, during the first 10 minutes the first two notable events were a head injury to an Arundel player and an ankle injury to Jamie Gray. This was not because the two teams were at each other, only that both teams were determined.

After 10 minutes, Ben Woodall was called on to fist an Arundel corner clear for another corner. Ringmer shortly conceded a free kick which was cleared this time by Ben Courtnage on his first start.

Around the quarter hour mark, Tom O’D pinched a header intended for the Arundel keeper unfortunately his effort passed wide and right of the Arundel goal. This was shortly followed by a Ringmer throw in which found Tom whose shot also passed wide and right of the Arundel goal. Tom was then found with a long ball on the left however the cross found no one in a blue shirt. Ringmer then attacked with superior numbers which found Neil Grant whose shot was bravely blocked by the Arundel defence. This was then followed by a series of Ringmer corners and numerous efforts to score which were each met by a dogged Arundel defence.

Just on the half hour, Ringmer failed to use an opportunity to open up the Arundel defence, Arundel retaliate with a fast break though the Ringmer midfield and defence which is finished with a goal placed in to the Ringmer net (1-0), against the run of play. Ringmer are lucky as Arundel soon have another chance which rebounds off the Ringmer upright.

On 33 minutes, Tom O’D tries a different approach with a speculative effort from outside the 18 yard area, this one also goes right of the Arundel goal. It’s as if the Arundel goal is protected by a force field with so many of Tom’s shots veering right of the Arundel goal. Two minutes later, Rob Frost, with his first start since January, puts a through ball to Tom who this time places it in the net right of the Arundel keeper however the goal is disallowed due to offside.

On 40 minutes, Jamie takes another knock on his ankle, shortly after he and an Arundel player are given yellow cards.

3 minutes later Rob breaks down the right and sends in a well weighted cross which finds Tom who under pressure unfortunately strikes right of goal. This is immediately followed by a high ball in to the Arundel penalty area by Ben Courtnage which is chested down by Tom who twists and turns however he cannot get the shot away as he is soon smothered. The half time whistle goes on 49 minutes.

No changes at half time, the Ringmer kick off finds Joe McTiffen motoring down the wing who tries a shot/cross which curls around the Arundel force field and off for a goal kick. Arundel spring back and temporarily put Ringmer under the cosh which requires a series of scrambling saves by Ben and Elliot Finney - welcome back Elmo. 10 minutes later, Ben is required to make a save with his outstretched right foot to keep Arundel at bay.

This is immediately followed by Ringmer conceding a free kick just outside the 18 yard box, not the first time this season and with the same result as too many this season as Arundel gain from Ringmer’s failure to clear and side foot into the Ringmer net (2-0).

On 57 minutes, Jessie Stonell breaks powerfully from the defence and and supplies a weighted ball to Keifer who pulls a rabbit from the hat when he collects the ball outside the Arundel 18 yard area, he turns to his right and then left and in the same movement strikes the ball sweetly into the left corner of the Arundel goal (2-1). Perhaps we can get something from this as at last we find the net and our play warrants more. Jamie’s ankle again receives a knock which forces him to retire to be replaced by Jordon Lee. Neil moves back into midfield and Jordon joins Rob up front.

Ringmer are in the ascendancy when the break down the right when Rob crosses a tempting ball across the Arundel area which is unfortunately not met by a Ringmer boot.

An Arundel free kick taken from the right strikes the Ringmer upright, that was too close and against the run of play. On 70 minutes Ben makes an excellent recovering save on the left of his area when Arundel had thought they were through on goal.

Ringmer create some good interplay as they break down the right, the supplied cross falls to Jordon whose left footed strike is smothered by the Arundel keeper.

On 80 minutes Ringmer lose the ball outside their 18 yard area which Arundel strike cleanly causing the ball to swerve right of Ben into the net (3-1). Shortly after the restart, Ben makes a finger tip save to push the ball over the cross bar from an Arundel corner.

Ben Courtnage is then substituted on 88 minutes by Richard Hooper in a direct swap. Richard tries a couple of breaks down the right to link up with Rob however the referees whistle finishes the game on 90+5 minutes.

A good improvement on the last two weeks with the side always looking to threaten. Avoid sloppy passes, unnecessarily giving the ball away and stop conceding free kicks around the 18 yard area. With such a young team there is potential to build and if everyone gets their fitness levels up the end of the season could be bright.

No	PLAYER	GOALS	OThER
1	Ben Woodall	.	GK
2	Joe McTiffen	.	.
3	Louis Brown	.	.
4	Elliott Finney	.	.
5	Kiefer Ardean-Webb	57	(C)
6	Ben Courtnage	.
7	Jamie Gray	..	.
8	Jesse Stonell		.
9	Tom O'Donnell	.	.
10	Neil Grant	.	.
11	Rob Frost	.	.
SUBSTITUTES
12	Jordon Lee	.	On for J Gray (57)
14	Richard Hooper	.	On for B Courtnage (91)
15		.	Not Used
16		.	Not Used
17	.	.	Not Used
OFF FIELD
Manager		Geoff McTiffin
Assistant		Neil Barrett
Sports Therapist		.
OFFICIALS
Referee		Mathew Lee
Club Linesman (R)		Lee Cramp
Assistant 2		N/K
Fourth Official		N/A
Attendance		N/A