Bruising battle as Blues go top again

A hard tackle after only two minutes on Matt Beeston earned Ringmer their first chance at goal but Chris Dicker's free-kick went high.

A few minutes later Darren Tidey was on target but YM keeper Ian Chatfield made the save, while back at the other end Ross Standen also made a good stop.

Tidey found Beeston, who headed over while a move between Andrew Ducille and Beeston found Dominic Shepherd, who was just wide of goal.

Into the second half Blues's Gavin Jones, who had replaced the injured Tidey 10 minutes before the break, shot just wide and seconds later Jones cracked in another, this time the ball smacking against an upright before deflecting into the home net for Ringmer's opener.

YM's Dean Carden created a real opportunity with a brilliant run through the Blues defence but his shot was parried away by Standen while Ringmer had good chances for Jones, Shepherd and Mickey O'Callaghan before on the hour Shepherd latched on to a loose ball and buried it.

The host's came in the 70th minute after a poor pass by O'Callaghan. It was picked up by YM, who passed neatly through the visitors's defence before Kris Trevor beat Standen with a good low shot into the corner of the net.

YM strived hard for the equaliser in the remaining 20 minutes and Ringmer were not helped by the referee playing 10 minutes added time.

Ringmer Reserves won 3-2 at East Grinstead in the Reserve Section Challenge Cup.

Ringmer: Standen, Beeston, Dicker, Curnow (capt), O'Callaghan, Stacey, Clark (Barycza), Ducille, Shepherd, Green, Tidey (Jones). Unused Subs: Agutter, Lamont.