The last weekend in November brought more rain, but it didn’t deter me from driving to Ringmer, to make a first visit to the Kings Academy to see Ringmer AFC play in their Southern Combination Football League Division 1 fixture against Worthing United FC.

Ringmer AFC moved to the Kings Academy ground when they were formed from the merger of Ringmer FC and AFC Ringmer in 2020, moving to Kings Academy, from the old Caburn Community ground, in Anchor Field.

The ground benefits from two 75 seat grandstands and floodlights, alongside a modern artificial pitch. The ground is served by an excellent refreshment stand within the large modern clubhouse, which the SNLF’s (Sussex Non-League Football Forum) Gareth Spinks has graded as third in his Bundesliga of football burgers in the SCFL.

Worthing United FC have made a really positive start to the season, winning nine, drawing two and losing just five games. They came into today’s game in fifth place, just nine to points behind the leaders, Godalming Town, but with a game in hand. Goals this season have come from Ethan Roberts (8 goals), Dan Hills and Dan Kingston (both 5 goals) and joint managers Mark Curran and Glenn Souter, would have been looking to their strikers to help secure the goals needed for victory today to keep their positive start going.

Ringmer AFC have not had a consistent season thus far. They sat in thirteenth place at kick off, having won five, drawn two and lost seven of their opening fourteen matches. Goals for the home side, have come largely from Will Fenner (7 goals), Jamie Blackford (4 goals) as well as Jake Lindsey (3 goals). Manager Tommy Haddon would have wanted his Ringmer AFC team to win an unexpected three points today at their home ground, despite facing higher placed placed opponents.

Ringmer AFC took the early initiative, when Ethan Davey appeared to be the last player to force the ball across the Worthing United goal line, from a corner, in the twelfth minute.

On 37 minutes the game was level again. An error by Nathan Bryson, in the Ringmer AFC goal, allowed Worthing United’s Ahmed Kamil to ram the ball home from close range. At the break the sides went in with the scores tied at 1-1 and everything still to play for.

With twelve minutes of the second half gone, the visitors were ahead. A corner was met at the near post by Worthing United’s Dan Hills, who headed home to make it 1-2.

In the 76th minute Worthing United’s Ethan Roberts scored with a near post flick, to put the visitors 1-3 ahead, creating a two goal cushion.

With three minutes left Worthing United’s Ethan Roberts secured a brace for himself and made the score 1-4.

There was still time for a 30 yard wonder strike from Jordan Smith to make it 1-5 at full time. Unfortunately the shot not only surprised the Ringmer AfC keeper, but also my filming abilities!

At the final whistle it was Worthing United’s who walked away with a clear win and all three points. Ringmer AFC would have been left wondering how a game which was tied for so long, ended up with them losing by a four goal margin.