Eastbourne Town 2^nd XI – 4 v 0 –Ringmer 2^nd XI

Reserve Premier Division

11/04/09

Match Report by Steve Frost

The Eastbourne Town (EBT) football ground is at the Saffrons, it sits beneath the steep escarpment forming the eastern end of the South Downs national park. The weather was grey and damp and without wind, the grass was a tad longer than you would expect from a Ryman pitch.

Ringmer kicked off towards the club house at the northern end of the ground. Both sides moved the ball around with confidence and drive until on 9 mins, EBT picked the ball up on their left of midfield, thrust into the left of the Ringmer penalty area and rammed the ball into the Ringmer net (1-0), a powerful attack. 10 mins later, Ben C tried a cheeky long distance shot from right of midfield, the EBT keeper juggled the ball until it rolled along the town crossbar before returning to his arms. Half way through the first half Ringmer were awarded a free kick on the left which was taken by Louis M, the weighted ball lofted to the right of the town goal area to be met by Joe however the ball fell out of play.

35 minutes into the game, a 50/50 head height ball was met by Ringmer’s Neil Grant and Craig McFarlaine of EBT. There was a sickening clash of heads as both lads fell to the ground; it was immediately obvious that both were badly injured. The game was suspended for 35 minutes whilst ambulance crew attended to the injured, Neil required 6 stitches and we hope that Craig is on the mend.

On the restart, Jordan is brought on for Neil, Tom drops back to midfield and Jordon goes up front. Two minutes later, Ringmer create a rapid break down the left, Louis B crossed into the box where it is met by Rob who steered it right of the town goal. Just before half time, Tom launches a long throw from the left which is met by Louis M who also struck wide and right.

Shortly after the start of the second half, EBT win a corner on the right which they cross to the far left of the Ringmer penalty area, Ringmer hold town off however town poach the ball and drive the ball through the outstretched finger tips of Ben (2-0). For a short while it looked like Ringmer might lose Ben, bravely he decides to soldier on.

On 60 mins, a Ringmer break down the right provides a chance for Louis M to find Rob in the town box however town are on him like a rash as the ball is marshalled over for a town goal kick. Shortly after this, Ringmer concede a free kick on their left at the corner of their 18 yd box. Town strike the ball cleanly directly into the far corner of the Ringmer net (3-0). On the restart, Jordan and Tom link up down the left which results in Tom forcefully striking the ball into the side netting.

On 70 mins, a head back towards the Ringmer keeper ends with a dodgy bounce which beats him leaving town to tap into an empty goal (4-0).

Ringmer bring on Richard in midfield for the injured Keifer, Joe moves to centre back, Ben C to right back as Tom takes the captains arm band.

Neither side has much penetration for the next ten minutes until Geoff M comes on in cameo role for the injured Joe. This is immediately met with a town strike that requires Ben to make a finger tip save. Rob supplies a couple of crosses from the wing into the town box which has no end result. On 85 mins Tom receives a yellow; this is immediately followed by a mix up in the Ringmer defence which is rescued by Ben. On the counter, Rob provides a measured ball which carves through and towards the right of the town defence where it is met by Tom whose instinct is correct however the ball is dragged wide and left of the town goal, this team never get the breaks.

Whilst EBT are now worthy leaders of this division, this score line in no way reflects the difference between the two teams. There are no soft games in this league; look at this season as a baptism required to progress into senior football, with Ringmer’s young squad this experience will equip the players for next year.

No	PLAYER	GOALS	OThER
1	Ben Woodall	.	GK
2	Joe McTiffen	.	.
3	Louis Brown	.	.
4	Kiefer Ardaen-Webb	.	(C)
5	Ben Robertson
6	Ben Courtnage	.	.
7	Andy Smith	..	.
8	Neil Grant		.
9	Tom O'Donnell	.	.
10	Louis Munnery	.	.
11	Rob Frost	.	.
SUBSTITUTES
12	Jordan Lee	.	On for N Grant (35)
14	Richard Hooper	.	On for K A Webb(70)
15	Geoff McTiffen	.	On For J McTiffen (80)
16		.	Not Used
17	.	.	Not Used
OFF FIELD
Manager		Geoff McTiffin
Assistant		Neil Barrett
Sports Therapist		.
OFFICIALS
Referee		Nick Carrol
Club Linesman (R)		Lee Cramp
Assistant 2		N/K
Fourth Official		N/A
Attendance		N/A