Gosport Borough 3 Ringmer 0

THREE down, two to go. Those are the bare facts of Ringmer's cup ambitions this season as the parameters for success rapidly fold in around the Caburn ground side.

In seven days, the two most prestigious tournaments available, The FA Cup and now the Vase, have gone for a burton leaving The Blues' interests lying exclusively with the John O'Hara and Sussex Senior competitions only.

It was, however, the preparations for Saturday's crunch second qualifying round tie that has so narked boss Glenn Burvill. Already short on players, the former Aldershot and Reading pro was left scrabbling around for squad members at the 11th hour following a series of farcical letdowns. The most bizarre story surrounded young goalkeeper Sam Figg who, having recently won himself a first team place, proceeded to show up in Ringmer thinking the game was at home! It wasn't and the team bus was half way to Hampshire.

Thankfully, early season regular Richard Branson was collected en route, but for the ex-Worthing stopper, the news that he'd unexpectedly regained his mantle as No 1 proved to be a poisoned chalice over 90 tawdry minutes.

On the ten minute mark, Gosport's Graham Lindsey latched on to a great dink over the top before crashing headlong into the advancing Branson. Despite contention over whether the incident was inside or outside the box, the ref's decision was a penalty kick that skipper Stuart Hensman placidly stroked into the net.

It was a drastic start and soon much rested on the over-burdened shoulders of illness victim Chris Johnson and pivotal new signing Paul Thomsett. The high-priority pair have previous experience of Privett Park having each been involved there during Lewes's FA Cup run 12 months ago. Their insights held firm as Borough were contained with the aid of Kevin Isted's bullish interventions and the full-blooded commitment of the insatiable Grant Bean.

Yet, for all the cutesy build-up play, Ringmer's frontline remains bereft of natural goal scoring talent.

With this in mind, Gosport, victors over County League Chichester in the previous round, upped the ante by doubling their lead in added time. A deep, sailing cross was dropped by the usually assured Branson to the delight of pint-sized Danny Thompson who swept up behind him for 2-0.

During the interval, Burvill swapped things around, bringing back defender Tom Holden for his first front side action in a month in order to utilise Thomsett in midfield. But the best laid plans....just 20 seconds after the restart, Danny Sturman made a break down the left flank, squaring for Lindsey to side-foot home, butchering Ringmer's anaemic hopes.

The remainder of the half was something of a formality. Hensman's cross-cum-shot drifted on to Branson's bar on 63 minutes and the keeper had to be sharp to prevent Sturman's rebound beating him for a fourth occasion. The visitors were restricted to efforts from yonder by Ian Costello, Thomsett and Isted, the latter of which finally brought a save from vast goalie Mark Brown.

But the predicament could have been made far worse had Branson been deservedly dismissed for felling Michael White in a one-on-one situation remember, the only viable replacement was sat twiddling his thumbs back at home.

RINGMER: Branson, Fensome (Holden 46), Brown, Haworth, Isted, Ford (Assefi 79), O'Brien, Johnson, Bean, Thomsett, Wickenden (Costello 37). Unused subs: Leachman, Powell. MOM: Paul Thomsett