A tough and frustrating affair resulted in a 1-0 loss on the Road to Ringmer.

As we looked to continue our winning streak, Ringmer were seeking 3 points to drag them off the bottom of the table. We had already played Ringmer twice this season, winning convincingly both times but as recent results illustrated, there has been a host of changes down there so we knew it wouldn't be easy.

As has been the case for pretty much every game this season we were without players; this time it was TJ, Sammy C & Jamie and all for questionable reasons which only adds to the frustration of the management and team-mates. However, with Sam Bell returning and the core of the team staying the same we were convinced that we still had enough quality to win the game.
It was a scrappy affair with Ringmer sitting in 2 banks of four and getting it forward to their forwards as early as they could. It was clear that they would try and play for set pieces and look to exploit us that way. Chances were few and far between with Sam Bell lifting a one-on-one chance over the bar after an excellent through ball from Ben Connolly and Macca providing a goal saving clearance at the other end.

A very difficult surface to play on with the ball bouncing everywhere, it was easy to predict that the second half was going to be more of the same as neither team could knock the ball around and create chances through intricacy. They tried to play the ball over the top for their number 9 but Charlie Dodd marshalled him well throughout. We struggled at the other end only creating one real opening for Sam Bell who dragged a great chance wide after good work from Ben Connolly.

Around the 70th minute mark, Heaton was sent off after picking up a second yellow for a foul on the half way line. The first came after about half an hour for an innocuous tackle of the half way line, the second came from a late tackle., the referee had no choice.
The deadlock was broken by Ringmer 5 or 10 minutes later. A freekick was given away and following an exquisite save from Olly Moore we were slow to react to the second ball providing a tap in for Ringmer’s striker. 1-0 Ringmer - We had chances to equalise through Ben Connolly & Charlie Dodd but it just wasn’t to be our day.

5 games remain now and we must finish the season strongly. We face Langney Wanderers away this coming weekend where we will need to react following the first defeat for the new management.

MOM Olly Moore
By Sam Bell