Ringmer complete league double over AFC Uckfield Town
Ringmer AFC secured a vital 3-0 win over local rivals AFC Uckfield Town to complete their first double in Step 6 football.
An early Jake Lindsey goal saw the game locked at 1-0 for some time, but Lindsey's second and a fine George Coleman finish made things comfortable.
With a crowd of 152 turning out to watch the Blues' triumph, it was a momentous and encouraging day all around.
After a stop-start November, Ringmer were keen to kick on and made two changes for the afternoon, with goalkeeper Ben Taylor returning and Jamie Blackford restored to the starting XI.
Uckfield, meanwhile, unveiled ex-Gillingham player Ryan Huckle as their new boss three days prior and named five new signings in their line-up.
Ringmer began the match the stronger of the two, with wingers Rhys Taylor and George Coleman driving forward and flashing a couple of dangerous deliveries across the box.
In the 14th minute, Taylor skipped free on the left and whipped a delightfully powerful ball to the far edge of the six-yard box, where Lindsey was unmarked to drive home.
Both teams struggled to find their forwards after the early goal, however, with set-pieces offering the best chances for the rest of the half.
A half-time double substitution by Uckfield then gave them a more fluid system but removed their central threat, prompting Ringmer to adjust.
The Blues pounced at an opportune moment, then, in the 53rd minute as a corner found Ryan Doyle in the middle, and after a pinball in the six-yard box, Lindsey showed his quality to notch a second goal of the match.
Again, Ringmer struggled to capitalise on their goal and allowed Uckfield a string of chances.
Had the visitors' ranks included an experienced goalscorer, the story could have been a different one, but as it was, chances either failed to hit the target or unduly worry Ben Taylor.
This paved the way for Ringmer to rally again, and in the 77th minute, Coleman broke free and fired a beautifully composed finish past Sam Heard, making it 3-0 and ensuring three points stayed at the CCG.
Ringmer, who move up to 13th after victory, next head to Jarvis Brook this Saturday in another key SCFL Division One match.
Ringmer AFC: B. Taylor, Whiteoak (Maybury, 76'), Sewell (Ashwood, 66'), Doyle, Northeast (C), Webster, Coleman (Hallett, 82'), Sey, Lindsey, Blackford (Morris, 87'), R. Taylor (Buxton, 87').