Serious injury overshadows Ringmer draw
Ringmer AFC fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Billingshurst in a game that will sadly be remembered for a serious injury to Will Fenner.
In an SCFL Division 1 game that featured momentum swings, a sending-off and an excellent Blues equaliser, the key moment came in the 91st minute as Ringmer striker Fenner landed awkwardly and suffered a serious knee injury.
Making it all the more gutting, it was Fenner's first appearance since sustaining an injury to the same knee in a 3-1 defeat to Arundel back in October.
The opening stages at the Caburn Community Ground were competitive, with both sides battling strongly. That set the intense pace throughout the encounter, with tackles flying in and neither side willing to give an inch.
Billingshurst took the lead early in the game, with a scrappy goal in the 12th minute, following a free kick that rattled the bar.
After conceding, the Blues responded well. Chances were at a premium in the East Sussex drizzle, but Ringmer were the side who were getting closer with their set-pieces.
In the second half, the Blues had their tails up even more, and were soon able to engineer a key moment in the match. With Billingshurst getting increasingly irate, they allowed this frustration to boil over when winger Matt Hards received a second yellow card.
The Blues immediately took advantage of the extra space, and left-back Lucas Sewell produced a moment of pure quality when popping up on the right wing.
Taking charge after a pinball on the edge of the box, Sewell took aim from 20 yards and sizzled his strike through the gloves of Hurst goalkeeper Josh Measor to bring the scores level.
The final 20 minutes saw a flurry of changes as the Blues pushed for a winner. However, with just two minutes remaining, the game took a worrying turn.
Fenner suffered a serious injury when planting his leg after winning a header and required immediate medical attention. Thanks to the quick response from physio Lydia Fellows, Fenner's teammates, Hurst substitute Jake Coltham-Lai, and an incredibly prompt ambulance crew, Fenner got quick attention, and the match resumed following a ten-minute warm-up
There was little time left to find a winner, and the match ended 1-1.
Ringmer AFC: Akras, Simpson, Sewell (Ashwood, 80’), Maybury, Northeast (C), Webster, Turner (Fenner, 63’ (Coleman-Standen, 90+1')), Sey (Morris, 71’), Coleman, Blackford, Taylor (Argyle, 88’)