The Hornets returned to winning form tonight with a fine one-nil victory away to Ringmer. It was fitting revenge for the 2-4 thumping they gave us at Stade Geriatrica at the tail end of last year and the scoreline doesn’t reflect the superb way the Hornets played.
Trigger’s well-taken first half goal – with a great assist from Posh Andy – might have been the only name on the scoresheet but the away side had at least 85 per cent of the game with the ball at their feet and out-shot Ringmer by 12 attempts to five. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the home side’s agile keeper this could have been a walkover. He made great saves from Matty Longshanks, Chairman Phil, Pandy and Trigger, and was the best and busiest player on the pitch.
Massive Manager Mark’s pre-match talk was cool, calm and collected. He told the lads where he wanted them to play and urged them to play as a team and play for each other. His final point was: if you get a chance to shoot – take it. The lads did him proud. They covered every 4G tuft of the pitch, made all the plays and closed Ringmer down from the off.
Posh had the first two shots of the match and Trig and Matty weren’t far behind him. It was only a matter of time before the Hornets stung Ringmer, and Trigger did it in style – his effort drawing a huge cheer from the away fans in the stand behind the goal.
The home side had no real answer, and the Cat had only one save to make in the entire half. Primarily it was skipper Doc Dyer and ZZ Nick who closed down every attack, and when White Cliffs came on he did exactly the same. In the centre, the Chairman was dominant from the moment he came on and he linked well to his left and right with Matty and Legendary Rog who had a great game out on the left flank.
Halftime saw the rain really slush down and by now everyone was soaked to their knickers. Ringmer came out rejuvenated but their four shots caused The Cat no problems and he only had to make one decent save punching the air to push an uppish shot over the bar.
There wasn’t a single panicky moment from the Hornets. Everyone held onto the ball when needed and gave it when possible and Ringmer were never in the game. There were some lovely passages of play and Manager Mark could not have been prouder of his lads on their first outing under his watch.
The away support was immense; there were WAGS – Mrs Posh, Sarah, Mrs Cliff and the long-suffering Carol. There were two representatives of the goalkeepers’ union (Ricky DLTN and The Nutkin) one child (Speedy Christina) and The Riddler. Well done to all those who braved the weather to cheer their husbands, and in some cases their loved ones, on.
Men of the Match: Ringmer’s keeper and Doc Dyer who gave a captain’s performance, marshalling his troops with the familiar foghorn. He barely put a foot wrong all night.
