Match report: Ringwood Town FC seal late 3-2 Wessex League Division One victory over Verwood Town FC
Ringwood Town preserved their eighth-place position with a hard-fought but deserved home win over Verwood Town on Saturday.
In a back-and-forth contest, Verwood Town took an early lead before both sides dragged themselves level, but a late goal with seven minutes left won it for Ringwood Town.
The New Forest side have been in excellent form lately, and none more so than striker Lee Vint, who grabbed all three goals.
“I felt we deserved to win overall, especially given we rattled the post and upright, too”, said Ringwood Town manager Fran Mathers.” Lee [Vint] was on fire, and I was delighted to get the result, given how many senior players we were missing.”
Ringwood were far from full strength, with a few key players unavailable. Mathers and his management team brought in multiple development and U18 players, with teenagers Brandon Chester, Brodie Yates, Matty Gollings, James Mercado and Jamie Wintle all named.
They performed admirably, with Yates providing an assist in his first Wessex League start and hitting the post, while Gollings made an impact off the bench and also hitting the woodwork.
Mathers added: “There was a lot riding on the result for both clubs, and I was delighted to get the points. I must add that I felt the character and passion shown by some of the Verwood players were exemplary.
“What moment for our youngsters to step into and deliver, though – I couldn’t be prouder of the progress we’re making as a senior section overall.”
Ringwood Town will be back in action away from home on Saturday against 13th-placed Amesbury Town.
“We’re looking forward to what will be a tougher test against Amesbury,” concluded Mathers. “Especially away from home.
“We’ve got a few senior players back, and we’re hoping to kick on from a really morale-boosting win. “It’s a tricky time of year for clubs with injury, illness, holidays, etc, but we’re coping well and reaping the rewards of all the work behind the scenes.”
Adam Brazier put Verwood in the lead after 13 minutes, but Vint levelled on the half-hour mark after a lovely ball in behind by Jesse Rabin. Vint took a delightful cushioned touch before slamming the ball past the helpless keeper.
Ringwood took the lead moments before the break when Yates fed Vint on the edge of the area. The striker still had plenty to do, beating his man before getting his shot off as the defender dived in.
It looked as though Verwood had ensured a share of the points with Ted Bignell’s 78th-minute goal, but Vint had other ideas. Just five minutes later, a long ball from Ben Bradwell found Vint, who slowed the game down before jinking past his man and firing in at the near post from a tight angle to seal all three points.
Ringwood Town: W. Griffin, B. Bradwell, B. Chester, H. Dathan, B. Harris, T. Hopper, J. Petty, J. Rabin, J. Ridland, L. Vint, B. Yates. Subs: M. Gollings, J. Stoodley.
