Hamm carves up Oilers as Ringwood get back to winning ways

Sydenhams Wessex One: Ringwood Town 3-2 Fawley AFC

RINGWOOD Town won for the first time in eight league games after seeing off Fawley AFC 3-2 at the Macra Stadium.

The first half started at a frantic pace and Ringwood went ahead after 12 minutes when a swift counter-attack was finished off by top-scorer Ryan Hamm. A minute later, Hamm grabbed his second to give the hosts the perfect start. However, this did not faze Fawley who pulled one back after 15 minutes as Declan Hartigan nodded home from close range to get the visitors back into the game. Fawley pressed for an equaliser but several excellent saves from keeper Nick Harvey kept them in front.

In the second half, it was once again end-to-end action. On 54 minutes, Fawley pulled level. Adam French's enticing free-kick was bundled home by Tom Rafferty past the diving Harvey.

The Oilers came close to taking the lead minutes later when Hartigan was put through one-on-one. He slipped the ball past the keeper, but it rattled off the inside of the post and back out.

Ringwood restored their lead on 60 minutes as Sammy Brown smashed the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. The hosts managed to hold on to their lead to take the much-needed three points.

Ringwood boss Rich Morse told the A&T: “It’s really good to finally get a result. It’s what we have deserved for the effort we have put in over the last few weeks.

“The lads have been training hard and committed to turning our fortunes around. The lads are a great bunch to work with.”

Ringwood now sit 16 in Sydenhams Wessex One and travel to Andover New Street on Saturday.