Match report: Ringwood Town lose rain-affected Wessex League Division One match 2-0 to promotion-chasing Hamworthy United

RINGWOOD Town manager Fran Mathers said he was proud of his players despite their 10-match unbeaten streak coming to an end on Saturday.

Ringwood had not lost since September, but promotion-chasing Hamworthy United scored at the right times en route to a 2-0 Wessex League Division One victory at the Dorset County Ground.

After the game, Fran Mathers, Ringwood Town manager, spoke: “We lost to worthy opponents who took their chances at key moments. The conditions were abysmal, with us being one of only a handful of local games left.

“The players gave everything, but conceding right on half-time was the critical moment. We worked incredibly hard but didn’t use the ball well enough at times when in possession.

“There were few chances at either end of the pitch in a scrappy wind-affected game, in truth. I think Hamworthy will be right up there come the end of the season.”

The defeat ends Ringwood Town’s second-longest unbeaten streak since 2005.

Mathers added: “I’m proud of my lads for the run, but now we need to show a reaction and character this Saturday at home against Romsey.”

With many other games falling foul to the weather, Hamworthy knew a win would push them up one into fourth place in the league.

Both teams struggled to adapt to the driving wind and rain, with the first real chance going the Hammers’ way after 18 minutes. Jack Delves slipped the ball wide to Josh Malpas, who outpaced his defender. A trademark low ball across the goal superbly teed up Bailey Rowe for a strike at goal. However, Ringwood Town keeper Will Griffin got down to make an excellent instinctive block.

The hosts probably just about deserved to take the lead in the 45th minute. A long diagonal ball over the top from Jake Streams was flicked on by Delves to Malpas. Another pinpoint low cross by the United midfielder once again found Rowe. This time, he gave Griffin no chance from three yards out as he stabbed the ball home inside the far post.

Despite the worsening conditions, the game opened up more after the break. Ringwood began to threaten at the other end, giving keeper Jeremy James his first real test. A neat Ringwood move ended with striker Lee Vint firing an awkward shot goalwards, but the keeper managed to push it clear.

Ringwood gathered momentum, but Hamworthy United delivered a hammer blow when doubling their lead in the 61st minute. Delves floated in a perfect corner for Lewis Sainval to head powerfully back across the keeper and into the top corner, again giving him no chance to save.

Ringwood shot-stopper Griffin made several good saves, and no one would blame him for the two-goal deficit.

Until the end, Ringwood looked dangerous on the counter, with Hamworthy repeatedly giving away fouls to stop the visitors’ progress.

One such free-kick, taken by substitute Jesse Rabin in the 90th minute, drew a superb finger-tip save from James at his near post, and Ringwood went home empty-handed.

Ringwood Town: W. Griffin, B. Bradwell, C. Lister, J. Wintle, H. Dathan, T. Hopper, B. Harris, J. Petty, L. Vint, J. Ridland, P. Correia. Subs: L. Pothas, J. Zdrava, B. Savage, J. Rabin, L. Cleary.