RESERVES
TAKE A POINT IN ADDED TIME AT RINGSTEAD
Fixture:
Ringstead Reserves V's Heyford Athletic Reserves
Competition:
Northants Combination Reserve Division 1
Result:
2:2 (Half Time: 0:1)
Heyford
Goal Scorers: Ben Richards (pen), Paul Farmer
Line
Up:
|
|
Colin
Scott |
|
|
|
Ben
Whiting |
|
|
|
Paulo
De Macedo |
|
|
|
Colin
Bradbury |
|
|
|
Paul
Farmer  |
 |
|
|
Tom
Butcher |
|
|
|
Alex
Marlow |
|
|
|
Paul
Smith |
|
|
|
Ben
Richards |
|
|
|
Adam
Deakin |
|
|
|
Harleigh
East |
|
|
SUBS
|
|
|
 |
Ben Nickels
|
|
|
Richard Hedges
|
|
|
Dan Lockey
|
|
Match
Report (Courtesy of reporter Mick Butcher)
There
were few survivors from the team humbled at Ringstead last February
which perhaps was the beginning of the teams failed promotion
push last season,but few were unaware of the desire not to repeat
the experience. If they weren't, Manager Chris Peck's pre match
talk was clear on that point.
Ben
Nickels made his first appearance this season on the bench in
the new Ringstead dugout on which I banged my head.......twice.
Facing a brisk wind in the first half and early pressure from
the home team which was held off, if on occasion with some playground
defending , the team were holding their own and even mounting
their own attacks.
The danger signs were there however and Ringstead were more
than happy to pick up possession from a Heyford tendency to
'gift' the ball at times when moving out of defense.
Ringstead took the lead on 32 minutes and it was a soft goal
to concede. A high ball moving in the wind was mis-headed into
the Heyford penalty area where another control error gifted
the Ringstead forward with an easy chance from about eight yards.
There
was nearly an immediate Heyford response two minutes later following
a penetrating run on the Ringstead left from the lively Ben
Richards. Unfortunately Alex Marlow headed his cross just wide.
Another chance fell to Ben Richards on 37 minutes. His header,
just over the bar from a Ben Whiting long ball, left the deficit
at just one by half time with the promise of better things to
come in the second period.
Half
Time: Ringstead Reserves 1 Heyford Athletic Reserves 0
The
second half opened with a rejuvenated Heyford surging forward
with better approach play but apart from one Harleigh East effort,
the chances were not yet coming. Time for a change with Ben
Nickels replacing Paulo De Macedo. Ben's impact was almost immediate
and his driving runs through the middle before getting off several
long range strikes became a feature but it was from the penalty
spot after 56 minutes that Heyford finally got their reward.
Ben Richards dispatching his kick powerfully past the Ringstead
keeper.
The stage was set for a Heyford win only to be spoilt by another
soft goal after 68 minutes as the home team passed their way
through the left sided Heyford defense before a cross found
an unmarked Ringstead forwards head from close in.
The target quickly changed from winning the game to saving the
game but Heyford attacks were a bit desperate and time was running
out. A last change came on 79 minutes with Richard Hedges relieving
Ben Whiting at the back.
To the relief of all. A deserved equalizer came in injury time.
Tom Butcher had taken over corners from the Ringstead left which
were quite numerous in the latter stages of the match. It was
likened to artillery ranging. One long,one short and one hitting
the target of Paul Farmers head which was dispatched past the
Ringstead keeper. Such was the pleasure of this strike that
scorer, provider and half the team came together in congratulations.
A Band of brothers once more? Time left for a winner?. Unfortunately
not, but a point gained.
Full
Time: Ringstead
Reserves 2 Heyford Athletic Reserves 2
Butch's
Match Summary:
The
7-3 defeat last February laid to rest? Well maybe. The Ringstead
team faced today were in my opinion stronger than the one fielded
last season so there must be some satisfaction in that. The
teams display in the second half was praiseworthy indeed and
that with several regulars missing.
One
word of caution. I know you can't put an old head on young shoulders
but too often players were forced into giving away possession
cheaply by a Ringstead team who were very quick on the ball
and more than happy to pick up on the errors. All that said,
it was a pleasure to watch the spirit shown today. You aren't
beaten till the Referee blows full time.
Referee?.
I rarely comment on them of course but he did make a lot of
mistakes didn't he.
Man
of the Match & Winner of the Esky Pint (pictured)
Ben
Richards
