Selsey 2^nd XI – 2 v 1 –Ringmer 2^nd XI

Reserve Premier Division

28.03.2009

Match Report by Steve Frost

Selsey football ground is tucked behind a supermarket off the high street and edged by phone and TV masts, a good regular club income. The pitch looked great as the sun shone, a gentle westerly breeze blew along the length of the pitch and the forecast heavy rain generally stayed elsewhere. On arrival, Selsey were all smartly attired, walking around the pitch like teams do on cup final day however whilst Selsey went in to change, Ringmer upset the home team by warming up at their end, not intentionally I might add.

Selsey had the kick off towards the east. Ringmer’s first effort was from Kiefer who shot just wide and high of the Selsey goal after a good build up with midfield and forwards linking up well. This effort was shortly followed by some good brisk work with Neil breaking down the left and then cutting inside to launch a shot from just inside the box towards the inside of the near post forcing the Selsey keeper to make a good stop diving to his right. Selsey retaliated with a long ball into the Ringmer box which required Ben to make a save from a free Selsey header. Ringmer responded with a Kiefer shot destined to cross the line only to be saved by an outstretched Selsey boot to deny a goal. Ringmer generally dominated this first period of play with two clear and separate shouts for handball inside the Selsey area denied by the match official. On 20 minutes, Ben received a ball at his feet inside the Selsey box, he turned and drove the ball into the Selsey goal (0-1). If the play carries on like this then Ringmer can get something from this.

The next ten minutes contained some good Ringmer interplay with Rob, Ben, Kiefer linking up for Ben to have a number of efforts on the Selsey goal, then on the half hour mark Ben was booked. The Ringmer concentration had suddenly evaporated as the restart immediately resulted in a Selsey goal whilst Ringmer debated the booking. While this hack was making notes the restart happened, Selsey were awarded a free kick in the centre circle and before you could blink, and certainly before the ink was dry, the ball was again in the Ringmer net. This goal was apparently disallowed for something or other which quite escaped the hack.

10 minutes before the break, Jessie floated in a free kick from the right, given for a trip on Rob, which was taken over the line by Kiefer only to be flagged offside. Then on 40 mins, a deft flick by Rob towards Ben was unfortunately sent wide of the mark. Half time, Ringmer went in feeling denied of what should have been a deserved lead.

Ringmer start the second half with no substitutions. 5 minutes into the restart, Kiefer heads on a ball for Ben to flick over the keeper, unfortunately it doesn’t quite happen, then one of those time stands still moments, for Ringmer at least, as Selsey waltz the ball down the Ringmer half and place the ball in the net (2-1). On 60 mins, Geoff pulls off Rob and brings on Andy in a straight swap.

At 75 mins, Elmo saves the day with lunging prod with an outstretched leg to steer the ball to safety as Selsey pick up on a defence slip. Selsey call for a penalty but the ref waves play on, phew. Kiefer is suddenly in the wars when he receives a couple of blows to the head which are only separated by a few minutes, the first a ball in the face and the second received under challenge. Geoff wisely takes Kiefer off for his own good and brings on Jordon for the last 20 minutes. This is immediately followed by Ringmer’s last substitution when Ben is brought on for Elmo who may have injured himself in that earlier lunging prod. Joe moves into the centre back role and Ben takes up the right back position. There is little penetration by either side except at 90 mins when a Selsey cross from the right takes a deflection off a Ringmer leg and crashes on the underside of the Ringmer cross bar and then down in front of the goal line to then be cleared. If that had gone in that would have been unjust as Ringmer have done enough to share these points and another Selsey goal would have given an incorrect impression. Tiff picks up a booking. In the dying minute Andy receives a flick on which he strikes with his right foot but the Selsey keeper watches it all the way into his arms. Final whistle 90+7

Interspersed throughout the game Ringmer have 4 captains, all who have an opinion on what someone else should or shouldn’t be doing. Please leave this to the manager and captain as invariably the opinions are contrary which leaves those receiving the well intended advice at a loss.

No	PLAYER	GOALS	OThER
1	Ben Woodall	.	GK
2	Joe McTiffen	.	.
3	Neil Grant	.	.
4	Elliott Finney	.	.
5	Ben Robertson
6	Jesse Stonell	.
7	Kiefer Ardaen-Webb	..	(C)
8	Jamie Gray		.
9	Ben Ruth	20	.
10	Paul O;Donnell	.	.
11	Rob Frost	.	.
SUBSTITUTES
12	Ben Courtnage	.	On for K A Webb (75)
14	Jordon Lee	.	On for E Finney (76)
15	Andy Smith	.	On For Rob Frost (60)
16		.	Not Used
17	.	.	Not Used
OFF FIELD
Manager		Geoff McTiffin
Assistant		Neil Barrett
Sports Therapist		.
OFFICIALS
Referee		Wayne Webb
Club Linesman (R)		Paul Scorer
Assistant 2		N/K
Fourth Official		N/A
Attendance		N/A