Southern Combination League Division One
Priory Lane, Eastbourne
Admission: £5.00
Programme: Free
Attendance: 70
Match Rating: 2
This evening I decided in to take in a midweek game in April that was not a cup final nor an early evening kick off, but still had some interesting elements to it. It would take place at the fourth different venue that Langney Wanderers have "hosted" home fixtures at this season, and this would also be the last senior game played on grass at Eastbourne Borough's home ground Priory Lane, with a 4G pitch being laid there during the summer.
Two divisions separated this evening's teams last season, as Langney Wanderers have enjoyed their first season in senior football this season, whilst Ringmer were relegated from the top flight after their continuous stay there since 1989. No doubt that Langney Wanderers will be the happier with his their season has unfolded then, as they came into this game in ninth place, with an outside chance of climbing to seventh in they were to win both of their remaining games. They have won 13 and drawn four of their 30 league games. Ringmer were in twelfth place, with nine wins and seven draws from their 30 league games. When the two teams met in the reverse fixture in December, the game finished 1-1.The programme was the original issue for the game scheduled to have taken place on Easter Monday, and so was completely out of date, so it was fair enough that it was handed out free of charge.
On a cool, breezy evening, Langney Wanderers had the better of the first half, yet it was Ringmer who came closest to opening the scoring on two occasions. On the half hour, they were awarded a penalty after the ball was lumped into the box and the defender fouled the forward as they both went up for the ball. The penalty was struck low down the middle and saved by the keeper, and the follow up shot was also tipped wide. Just before half time, a free kick 30 yards took a deflection off the defensive wall, and with the keeper rooted, the ball hit the crossbar and went over.
Langney Wanderers took the lead on 55 minutes thanks to a large slice of good fortune, when Paul Weatherby took a corner and the ball sailed through the defenders and goalkeeper to find its way into the net. There was plenty of niggle between the two teams, and on 62 minutes, Ringmer were reduced to ten men, when Matthew Burt was shown a second yellow card for dissent after much confusion - initially taking off his shirt and walking to the changing rooms, was beckoned back as it was thought he had escaped the caution, only to then be shown the card when he returned to talk to the referee. The result was pretty much put beyond doubt on 72 minutes when Trevor McCreadie received the ball at the edge of the area, swivelled before firing low across the keeper and into the far side of the net. Langney Wanderers had several chances to extend their lead, but they comfortably saw the game and although they remained in ninth place, they are now within two points of seventh place going into the final round of games on Saturday, whilst Ringmer are certain to finish in eleventh place.
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