It would be wrong to suggest that the 1 – 7 score line flattered Eastbourne Town because they are a quality outfit and played some excellent football, but without some qualification the score line would suggest utter dominance by the visitors, which was not the case. For much of the game Ringmer were a match for Eastbourne Town, even edging possession for long periods of the game. But despite creating as many chances as Eastbourne, Ringmer struggled to find the net, whereas the visitors’ finishing was clinical and they punished defensive errors ruthlessly.
There is little to be gained from reliving the Eastbourne goals. Suffice it to say they were timed at 1, 27, 27(!), 34, 45+1, 65 and 82 mins.
Ringmer’s goal was no less than they deserved and came after a period of sustained pressure on the Eastbourne goal. After a short corner link up with Louis Munnery, Josh Hawkes crossed the ball into the penalty area for Andy Smith to head home in the 87th minute.
The Ringmer 2nd XI were beset with injuries tonight and Neil was forced into making all three substitutions as players retired injured and there were as many more left on the pitch having to play through nagging injuries. All fourteen players involved kept their heads despite being on the receiving end of a mauling which was commendable.