Ringmer relieve pressure with win over Copthorne

With the Blues in desperate need of three points after slipping into the bottom three, they delivered on a blustery day with their joint-biggest victory this season.

Combined with other results, it saw Ringmer rise back out of the bottom trio and increased their chances of safety in an uncertain relegation mix.

After a two-month spell in which injuries, suspensions and unavailability had robbed Ringmer of the chance to name an unchanged side or formation, manager Tommy Haddon reverted to his preferred 4-2-3-1 system.

Against a Copthorne side who had lost 29 of their 30 league matches this season and conceded 105 goals in their previous 17 games, however, expectation weighed heavy.

Ringmer began nervously, and Copthorne had a couple of early chances through winger Malib Dosso. With Copthorne refusing to press outside of their defensive third, however, Ringmer had plenty of space to work in.

Jaydon Fuller's excellent movement saw him burst into space around the 25th minute, only to poke just wide of the far post when one-on-one with goalkeeper Adam Nicholson. As the Blues built on this chance, Sean Murahwa looked the most likely to make a difference, dominating the right flank and showing several excellent touches.

Fittingly, it was the 18-year-old who opened the scoring in the 36th minute as Fuller was denied one-on-one, Rhys Taylor whipped in the resulting corner and Charlie Northeast recycled it. Murahwa poked through the bodies to make it 1-0.

With the breakthrough made, Ringmer grew in confidence and doubled their lead in the 60th minute through substitute Oscar Morris’ instant impact. A lovely triangle move saw the ball worked back into the middle for Morris to smash home, and with Taylor converting a 70th-minute penalty, the Blues had full control at 3-0.

Copthorne refused to kneel, however, as Nathan Inga fired a perfect free-kick in off the right post to take it back to 3-1. In added time, Fuller finally got his goal to make it 4-1, timing his run superbly to streak through and tuck past Nicholson.

This Saturday, Ringmer embark on their final away game of the season, facing 2nd-placed Infinity (3pm).