Blast from the past - Episode 3

Ringwood Town bring their 2003-4 campaign to a finish.

Understrength Blues let their chance go by

From the Salisbury Journal, first published Wednesday 14th Apr 2004.

AMESBURY Town did everything but score in their final away game at Ringwood Town on Easter Monday.

They were finally undone by a freak goal direct from a corner.

Carl Barnett was a constant threat for the Blues but he squandered several scoring opportunities, including one he made himself with a clever turn.

Russell Goodman saved well.

The Ringwood 'keeper was in top form, also diving to stop Lee Cunning-ham's header.

Barnett had an effort ruled out for offside, and Ringwood's Matt Cooper received a yellow card for pulling him back when it looked like he was the last defender.

After the break, Cunn-ingham was too casual with a shot, allowing Charlie Pierson to clear off the line.

Ten minutes from time Steve Geary's left-wing corner flew straight in for the winner.

Amesbury boss Nick Horner said: "We were missing a few players today - to the point where we only had one sub - but we still had enough chances to win it.

"I could have pulled more players in but the reserves had a game on Saturday, and I didn't want to ruin everyone's Easter weekend."

Ringwood manager Bob Lane said: "We were scrappy and our goalkeeper Russell Goodman was man of the match, which tells you a lot.

"He made one particularly excellent save from Lee Cunningham's header when he held the ball mid-air."

After 11 league games without a win, Ringwood have now won three in a row.

"They beat Lymington Town 4-0 at Long Lane last Tuesday, with goals from Paul Adlam (2), Mark Burrett and Neil Pedley.

The floodlights failed after 83 minutes but Lymington sportingly conceded.

Then Ringwood won 6-1 at Portsmouth Royal Navy on Saturday, with a Carl Fleet hat-trick and others from Geary, Burrett and Chris Rudd.

They go to Andover New Street on Saturday and host Fawley on Wednesday.

Amesbury beat Lym-ington Town 4-2 on Saturday at the Recreation Ground (Keith Nicholls (2), Neil Sole and Barnett).

They welcome Portsmouth RN on Saturday.