Ringmer AFC get memorable win over high-flying Infinity thanks to late headed winner

In their final home game of 2025, Ringmer continued their excellent recent run of form with a committed and physical performance.

They took the lead through Jake Lindsey’s 60th-minute penalty and, while pegged back by an 88th-minute Infinity equaliser, had more in the tank.

Despite being on the ropes, Ringmer took their final chance through Northeast, whose captain’s performance typified a team effort full of heart.

Two form teams

Coming into the game, Infinity boasted the SCFL Division One’s best recent record, with five wins and a draw from their last six games.

Ringmer were on their own best run of 2025-26, with three wins and a draw in their last six, and a 4-3 friendly win over Newhaven in midweek under their belt.

The Blues made two changes for the visit of the league’s 2nd-placed team, with Northeast and Jacob Ashwood replacing the unavailable Ellis Webster and Tyriece Whiteoak.

Tommy Haddon’s side began in great spirits, too, taking the game to their visitors from the West Sussex/Hampshire border.

George Coleman on the right, Leon Turner on the left and Lindsey down the centre drove at Infinity’s backline, causing problems with some flashy early drives across the box.

The visitors, meanwhile, struggled to get anything moving past the halfway line.

Without top goalscorer Tommy Tierney, Infinity relied on their other prolific forward, Clayd Roach, to do a lot of chasing and link-up play.

The options around him were scarce, however, and consequently the visitors spent much of the first half being frustrated.

Ringmer, meanwhile, were getting into good positions but just stumbling as they entered the box, with Lindsey and Turner held up by centre-back pair Ryan Gill and Louie O’Brien.

This meant a flurry of shots from just outside the box, with Jamie Blackford, Lindsey and Lamin Sey all firing over the bar, and a Jacob Ashwood effort blocked.

It took until the half’s closing stages for the best chance to come, and it fell to the best goalscorer on the pitch.

Roach found space from a delightful through ball but met a towering Ben Taylor, who made himself bog to smother an attempted chip.

Infinity still had time to cry for a penalty before half-time, and when referee Michael Barnes rejected this assertion, he faced abuse from the clutch of visiting supporters behind the goal.

With these supporters clearly needing a reminder of respect protocol, the teams took their half-time break.

All-out attack

The second half began with both teams throwing off the shackles and launching into attacks.

Infinity showed much better signs than they had for most of the first half, with their wide men Cohwen Whitaker and Vinnie McGee having more joy against Lucas Sewell and Jacob Ashwood.

They flashed several balls across the box, but Ringmer's last-ditch defending was up to the task as Roach struggled to latch on.

Ringmer began to rely more on set pieces, and with a flurry of Coleman corners on the hour mark, they finally broke the deadlock.

In the 60th minute, a third straight delivery struck an Infinity arm, and Lindsey stepped up to the penalty spot to blast the ball into the bottom right corner.

The Blues kept pushing after the goal, with their front three again using individual brilliance to beat their markers, but Infinity's organisation was solid.

The West Sussex side had a second wind, and in the last 20 minutes of the game, were certainly the team on top.

From left and right, the visitors threw men forward and whipped balls into the box.

Roach had a couple of excellent chances, turning and firing at goal, but outstanding blocks from Northeast and George Maybury prevented Ben Taylor being drawn into action.

Ringmer could not hold on forever, however.

In the 88th minute, Northeast's attempted clearance struck centre-back Ryan Doyle, and the visitors nipped in with an inch-perfect cross from the right to find Cameron Duffy, who directed his header out of Taylor's reach to make it 1-1.

With the same sinking feeling from the last-gasp Jarvis Brook equaliser the previous week, it looked like being a tough last few minutes for the Blues to hold out.

Whatever energy reserves they had left, Ringmer poured into a final set-piece chance in the 93rd minute.

Lindsey swung in a free-kick from deep on the left, and the delivery sailed onto the crown of Northeast, whose perfectly-weighted header looped over Matt Gregg and over the line.

Cue manic celebrations, and a final two minutes in which the Blues held out to secure a remarkable victory.

Ringmer AFC: Taylor, Sewell, Ashwood, Doyle, Northeast (C), Maybury, Coleman (Murahwa, 87), Sey, Lindsey, Blackford (Easton, 77'), Turner (Argyle, 70')

Unused: Wilton, Morris

To view manager Tommy Haddon's post-match interview, click here: https://x.com/RingmerAFC/status/2002494830631661947

To view a full album of match photos, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCEq8j

Next Match

Celebrating Christmas in 11th place in the SCFL Division One table, Ringmer can reflect on a job well done so far in December.

They have one final task before 2025 is over, though, with a trip to Saltdean United's newly refurbished Hill Park home on Saturday 27th December.

Kick-off will be at 3pm in the first senior match to take place on the Tigers' new 3G pitch.