Romsey finishes strongly in one-all game against Ringwood

Romsey battled to secure a point with a second-half equaliser from makeshift striker Aaron Scott at Ringwood Town last Saturday, as they finished strongly in a game of few clearcut chances.

Town boss Andy Samuels rang the changes with his team selection, handing a debut to young centre-back Max Biddleston, who recently signed from Premier Division Millbrook, whilst goalkeeper Miles Bartram made his final appearance before his move to Hamworthy Recreation. Midfielder Aaron Scott was asked to lead the forward line as Harry Prisk returned to the right-back berth, and with both Bryant and Ockwell unavailable,  Alex Wilson continued in his new centre-back role.

Neither side could be said to dominate the opening exchanges with both goalkeepers untroubled, but an air of controversy surrounded Ringwood’s goal in the fourteenth minute. Although there was a clear foul on a Ringwood attacker some 25 yards from the goal, the referee allowed the advantage and eventually a dangerous cross from the left was cleared, but to Town’s amazement instead of allowing play to continue the referee concluded no advantage had accrued and awarded a free kick for the original foul. This led to a fine save from Bartram, but Ringwood reacted quickest and Vint squared the ball across the area for a simple tap-in by Bradwell.

Bradwell nearly added a second when after a surging run into the box to Town’s relief he scuffed his shot wide. It took until the 34th minute for Ringwood’s ‘keeper to be tested after George Pomeroy’s pass to Josh Bowerman saw a chipped effort comfortably held. With halftime just seconds away Romsey mounted a series of concerted attacks, and Bowerman’s fierce drive produced a fine save before he had another goalbound effort palmed away for a corner.

The second half witnessed a far sharper performance from Town with overlapping runs by substitute full-back Mark Fawley, whose cross into the box in the 66th minute fell invitingly to Aaron Scott and he blasted the ball into the net from twelve yards for Town’s deserved equaliser. Romsey enjoyed a spell on top before Ringwood came back into the game late on, but a commanding performance by Alex Wilson helped keep the hosts at bay. Town nearly snatched a winner in added time when Henry Yates played in Bowerman whose shot from an acute angle was parried away by the ‘keeper for a corner as time ran out.

Tomorrow Romsey Town welcomes league leaders New Milton Town (ko 3pm) to The AEC Protection Ground. The Linnets are unbeaten away from home in Division One this season and defeated Town by 5-3 in the reverse fixture back in August, so this will be a tough test for Andy Samuels’ young side.