Ringwood Town unlucky with a point in mid-table clash

Sydenhams Wessex Division One

East Cowes Victoria 1Ringwood Town FC 1

RINGWOOD Town returned to Sydenhams Wessex Division One action with a 1-1 draw away against East Cowes Victoria.

The hosts took the lead through Ji Nash before Ringwood captain Ryan Osman restored parity 10 minutes later to secure a thoroughly deserved point with a stunning 25-yard strike.

Ringwood made the better start, but they could not convert their chances as East Cowes Victoria held on, with the two sides going into the break all square.

After Ringwood failed to take their chances, East Cowes grew into the game, and they took the lead on the hour mark when Nash put the hosts in front.

Ringwood were back on level terms just 10 minutes later when Osman unleashed a wonder strike from 25 yards which flew into the bottom corner, beating keeper Karl Steinborne-Busse.

The visitors were the better side for the majority of the match, but East Cowes had some decent chances late on, and could have snatched all three points.

Both sides tired as the match drew to its conclusion.

Ringwood Town manager, Richard Morse, said: “The match was always going to have a cagey start, but I thought we were the better side in the first-half, and we played some decent football. In the second-half we started to slow a bit and we got punished for it when East Cowes took the lead. We reacted well, though, and quickly got the equaliser from a cracking 25-yarder from skipper Ryan Osman.

“After that, we had excellent chances to win the game, but we couldn’t convert them. Happy with the draw, but slightly frustrated as I thought we did enough to win the game.

“It was great to be back in action. Credit to the clubs and the Sydenhams Wessex League for getting all the measures in place so we can return safely. It’s been frustrating not to be able to play games or train, but the lads have kept themselves in shape with the program we gave them.”

Ringwood’s next two league fixtures are back-to-back away ties – against Petersfield tonight (Tuesday) at 7.45pm, and Whitchurch on Saturday at 3pm.

Ringwood Town: L. Harris, J. Manley, J. Evans, H. Clarke, C. Holton, R. Osman, C. Heggan, S. Brown, R. Hamm, H. Fay, S. Prentice. Subs: L. Taylor, M. Cole, A. Riley, L. Carter, R. Butterfield.