Ringwood Town were unable to secure their first back-to-back wins as Petersfield Town took all three point at Long Lane in the Wessex League division One
Ringwood failed to secure back-to-back wins as Petersfield claimed all three points at Long Lane with a 2-0 victory in the Wessex League Division One
A second half header from Brandon Jewell put the game beyond the home side after Ryan Kennedy had smashed home a wonderful volley for the visitors before half time. Marvin Orepo was also unlucky not to have scored for the Rams - hitting the post twice - as Ringwood struggled all afternoon, creating very little of their own
Harrison Clarke returned to the starting line up for Ringwood and captain Ben Harris continued in a more central midfiled role after the win against Inifinty last week. There were also returns to the starting XI for Tommy Hughes and Jack Knight, with Knight filling in at right-back as Joe Manley and Max Mason remained sidelined.
Ringwood started brightly and created an early chance as Harry Smith put the ball in the back of the net after latching on to a Harrison Fay through ball, but the lineman's flag was raised - denying the striker his eleventh goal of the season.
18 minutes in and it was Petersfield’s turn to come close to an opener. Marvin Orepo hit the post after rounding ‘keeper Sam Reilly, but was put off by Knight who put in a brilliant tackle at the last minute.
It was the away sideswho drew first blood in the end. Ryan kennedy fired home from just inside the box with a wonderful first time volley from right back Kieran alcock's low driven cross just aftert the half hour mark.
Fay was then on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Ben Cooper who ploughed through the back of the winger and was subsequently booked. Petersfield took advantage of the break in play as fay received treatment and replaced Aaron Akoman-Ehikpa who had failed to shake off a knock picked up in a tackle with Hughes with Joe smith.
As the teams emerged for the second half, Hughes did not reappear after suffering a swollen knee from the tackle with Akoman-Ehikpa and was replaced by Brad Smith.
Ten minutes into the second period and Petersfield doubled their lead through Brandon jewell who powered home a header from around the penalty spot - again the cross came from the right-hand side.
Knight was then sent to the sin-bin with 25 minutes to, although no one was quite sure what the full-back had done wrong but the referee sent the player to the dugout for descent as Ringwwod's discipline started to waiver, compoundig the teams woes.
Five minutes later and Ringwood's troubles continued as Harris had to be substituted after suffering a hamstring injury with Sammy Brown coming on to replace the captain.
The home side had struggle to create any real opportunities since Smith's early chance and it took until deep into the second half for Ringwood to have their first shot on target with joss Holford sending his free kick straight into the arms of Scott Heelas in the Rams goal.
As the final 10 minutes approached, Ringwood made another change with Joe Petty replacing Holford in the middle of the park as Ringwood tried to inject some energy into the game and turn the tie around.
Petersfield found the post again with just minutes left on the clock and it was Orepo again who hit the woodwork. The striker opened his body up and looked for the far corner but his curling effort clipped the inside of the post and into the arms of Reilly
there were shouts for a late penalty for the home side as teh ball bounced up and appeared to cpome off the elbow of an unsuspecting Petersfield defender, but the refereewaived the calls away before blowing for full time.
Next up for Ringwood is AFC Stoneham in the Russell Coates Cup on Tuesday night.
Ringwood: Sam Reilly (g/k), Jack Knight, Charlie Hitching, Tommy Hughes (Brad Smith 45'), Callum Horton, Harrison Clarke, Joss Holford (Joe Petty 79'), Ben Harris (Sammy Brown 70'), Harrison Fay, Josh Taylor, Harry Smith
Subs: Joel Hirdle (g/k) Sammy Brown, Brad Smith, Joe Petty, Nick Magee
Booked: Harrison Fay, Knight (Sin-bin), Harrison Clarke
Petersfield: Scott Heelas, Kieran Alcock, Charlie Meritt, Cameron Smith, Charlie Oakwell, Ben Cooper, Jake Bourton, Aaron Akoman-Ehikpa (Joe Smith 35), Marvin Orepo, Brandon Jewell, Ryan Kennedy
Subs: Matt Petts (g/k), Joe Smith, Jamie Randall, Reece Colbourne, Kris Stephens
Booked: Ben Cooper
Referee: Derek Pratt
Assistants: Huw Evans, Thomas Farr