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| Saturday 18 March 2006 East Court 2 AFC Ringmer 2 (aet) - AFC Ringmer won 7-6 on pens East Court's search for silverware looks to be over for another season after losing out in a penalty shoot-out to the division 4 league leaders in the semi-final of the Somerville Challenge Cup. The home side made three changes to the side that beat Nutley II so convincingly last time out. Paul Bishop, James Salter and Andy Wright made way for the returning trio of Daniel Lamprell, Richard Hayes and Nick Palmer. The league match between these two sides at Imberhorne earlier in the season resulted in a comfortable win for the visitors but this match was a much closer affair. As in the first game East Court started the brighter of the sides and created the better chances in the first half. They eventually took a deserved lead when a Lee Champion shot from outside the area was tipped onto the post and Ben Sunderland was on hand to poke home the rebound in a crowded six yard box. As the half wore on Ringmer became more of a force without creating any clear cut chances and it was the home side who had the next big opportunity. East Court broke away but strikers Billy Denyer and Ross Kelly had no support and Ringmer were able to get players back around the ball. At the end of the first half East Court's first real defensive lapse could have cost them a goal but the ball was struck wide. Seconds later a free-kick flew just past the same upright but at the half-time whistle the home side were in front. For the next 45 minutes AFC Ringmer dominated and the home side struggled to get of their own half. Despite this some dogged defending minimised the chances for Ringmer but eventually the pressure told and a speculative long range shot flew over the head of keeper Lamprell to level the scores. For the remainder of the 90 minutes Ringmer pushed on but could not breach a resolute defense for the second time. In extra time East Court became more of a threat again and possibly shaded a tight first half. In the second half of extra time Carl Buckler had a great chance to put the home side in front but he seemed to miscue his effort from a low ball across the box and it went the wrong side of the post. Eventually East Court's pressure told and Ross Kelly scrambled the ball home with a little over five minutes remaining. As the time ticked on and it looked as though East Court may hold on Ringmer were thrown a lifeline after East Court failed to clear their lines. The ball fell to the feet of their centre forward in front of an open goal and he gleefully tucked his shot home to force penalties. Lamprell saved Ringmer's first penalty only for Ross Kelly to miss straight after. Ringmer missed their second before Lee Champion converted his at the second attempt. Adam Shillibeer scored the third to put East Court 2-1 up but Andy Wright?s effort flew over the bar to leave the shoot-out level at 2-2 after four penalties apiece. Dan Medcalf, Carl Buckler, Richard Hayes and Nick Palmer all stepped up and scored to make the score 6-6. Lamprell got a hand to AFC Ringmer's ninth penalty but was unable to stop it crossing the line before man-of-the-match Simon Nickols saw his penalty rebound of the crossbar with the keeper beaten. With a bit more luck the tie could easily have gone in East Court's favour but now they must concentrate on gaining promotion to division 3 next season. Team: D.Lamprell, D.Medcalf, N.Palmer, R.Hayes, S.Nickols, A.Shillibeer, B.Sunderland (A.Wright), L.Champion, R.Kelly, B.Denyer, C.Buckler. Unused Sub: P.Bishop |