Midhurst’s 5-3 win at Mile Oak put them in good heart for their trip to face first-division Ringmer in the John O’Hara League Cup - but they were brought back down to earth.
They were no match for a rampant Ringmer side in a game which, following heavy overnight rain, the referee was in two minds whether to allow to proceed. Ringmer ran out 6-0 winners.
Ringmer’s ground has a pronounced slope and Midhurst were playing downhill in the first half.
Ollie Pearce’s free-kick after 15 minutes skimmed the bar with the keeper beaten - before Michael Asare broke free of his marker only to shoot wide.
On 20 minutes, Scott Marshall found Midhurst’s defence out of position and scored an easy goal.
Tom Lyons found an easy passage down the left and netted goal number two.
The game was out of reach just on half-time as James Knight put the ball well out of Midhurst keeper James Knight’s reach for an own goal.
After the restart Seb Saunders scored goal number four for Ringmer. Midhurst were finding it difficult to contain Ringmer and Marc Whitman netted goal number five.
Although well behind, Midhurst attacked and Asare and Lewis Hamilton went close but could not produce a goal with a few minutes left Ringmer netted goal number six by Tony Reid.
Midhurst had a chance to get at least one goal when a foul produced a penalty but Jed Stone in the home goal saved Hamilton’s shot.
Midhurst replaced Knight with Jamie O’Leary and Sean Dummer with Lawrence Hyde.
MIDHURST: I Knight, J Knight, White, Angell, Farr, Dummer, Asare, Pearce, Hamilton, Norgate, Dreckman. Subs: O’Leary, Hyde.
On Saturday, the first XI travel to Eastbourne.
Midhurst reserves took on Arundel at Rotherfield and the score ended 2-2. This weekend the seconds take on Selsey reserves at Rotherfield (3pm).
TED DUMMER
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