Report

Lingfield were disappointed not to have ended their season with a win after dominating possession and playing attractive football.

It was all Lingfield in the first half, looking comfortable on the ball, playing free-flowing football and creating chances. The first chance fell to Scott Elgar on the right after a good move but his shot was beaten out by keeper Tom Rand and this was followed by a spectacular overhead kick by Simon Wallace which went wide. Rand was called into action again saving from Danny Oakins, however it was then the turn of Lingfield’s giant keeper to be called into action when he kept out a shot from Marc Whiteman.

Lingfield continued to ask all the questions and had a good chance to open the scoring when the ball reached Elgar in space but his first touch let him down preventing a run through on goal. Elgar was then involved in another good move when he passed inside to Oakins who attempted to chip the keeper from the edge of the box but the ball was gathered by Rand. The first half ended goalless but it was dominated by Lingfield who should have been well ahead on the balance of play.

It was Ringmer who made the more positive start to the second half, looking a completely different team who were very much on the back foot before the break. There was a scare for the home side when a low cross from the left went right across the six yard box with Ringmer players just failing to make contact. Lingfield suffered a blow when talented left back Raphique Howell had to be taken off due to a knock and later influential midfielder Harry Sintim also had to leave the field to be replaced by Gareth Graham who returned from injury.

Lingfield lost their way a little bit and Ringmer opened the scoring midway through the half when the ball was crossed to the far post and Danny Davis who was all alone beat O’Hara  from a tight angle. Fifteen minutes from the end it was 1-1 when Oakins latched on to a terrific pass from Daryl Coleman and slotted the ball into the corner. The goal galvanised Lingfield and Wallace went very close when his dipping shot was heading for the corner of the net but Rand did very well to turn the ball away for a corner. Lingfield went close again when Elgar got free down the right and his low cross was fired over the bar from close range by Oakins. Lingfield threw men forward to get the winner and were caught on the break when Whiteman broke through after a slip by Graham but his shot went just past the post much to the relief of the home supporters.

In the final minute, the moment arrived the crowd had been waiting for when manager Dixie Dean made his much awaited debut, coming on as sub and immediately taking up a position at the far post awaiting a free kick for his team. The ball did not reach him much to his annoyance and his dream of launching his considerable frame and heading it in was shattered! The manager left it far too late to bring himself on so he never had any time to influence the game!

In the end both teams had to settle for a draw but Dixie felt his side should have won saying “We were the better side and really deserved to get all three points. We had a spell in the second half where we weren’t at our best but overall we controlled the game so I am really disappointed that we didn’t round off our season with a win. At the end of the day we have had a good season finishing in a creditable 7^th place and in our last 10 games we won 7, drew 2 and only lost 1. Next season we will be looking to win the league and I really do think that things are in place to have a shot at it”.

Ringmer  : Tom Rand (G), Brad Curtis, Scott Marshall, Aaron Hasan, Ryan MacMillan (C), Matt Carruthers, Nick Wheeler, Danny Davis, Gavin Gordon, Marc Whiteman, Joe Dryer.
Subs : Mark Price, Glen Matten, Aaron Phillips, Jayson Sowter.
Scorer - Danny Davis