Ringmer are pipped by Priory
Ringmer were beaten 2-0 by promotion-chasing Reigate Priory in an SCFL Division 1 clash on a windy day in Horley.
Despite coming off a loss in Arundel on Tuesday, the Blues arrived with reason for optimism, including a notable milestone for Ellis Webster, who made his 100th Ringmer appearance.
And goalkeeper Ben Taylor was in place between the sticks, and second team captain Dan Diamond started in midfield.
Ringmer made a solid start, looking composed in possession and battling hard all over the pitch, with Diamond’s added physicality and work ethic making a difference early on.
The promising start, however, was undone in the 12th minute as a ball whipped across Ringmer’s box led to Reigate taking the lead, with Ryan Doyle scoring an own goal. The remainder of the first half followed a similar pattern for Ringmer, who have recently lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
Rhys Taylor, who started up front, worked hard but often had to drift out wide or drop into midfield to get himself into the game.
Ringmer emerged from half-time with renewed intent, continuing to push for an equaliser but again being struck down early on.
In the 54th minute, Sam Bull picked up the ball and curled a strike into the bottom corner to double Reigate's advantage.
It was an uphill battle from there, but Ringmer’s pressure intensified in the last 15 minutes.
Manager Tommy Haddon made a triple substitution in the 83rd minute, bringing on Ed Easton, Henry May and Zach Medrow as attacking reinforcements, hoping to make a late surge.
A barrage of shots, crosses, corners and long throws entered the Reigate box, but, unfortunately, none bore fruit for Ringmer.
Ringmer’s late pressure was too little, too late as the referee blew his final whistle five minutes into injury time.
The loss, Ringmer’s fifth in their last six games, leaves them in a tentative position going into the final stretch of games in April, as they drop to 15th in the table.
Ringmer will be disappointed with the result but will now be setting their sights on bouncing back on Saturday as they travel to Mile Oak (3pm), hoping to pick up form for a make-or-break run of games.
Ringmer AFC: Taylor, Simpson (Medrow, 83’), Ashwood, Doyle, Maybury (Easton, 83’), Webster (C) (May, 83’), Sewell, Diamond, Taylor, Morris (Bourgeois, 75’), Fuller.