Ringmer FC 0
Crowborough Athletic FC 2
Carrington 6’, T. Saunders 10(pen).

By Anthony Scott

Tuesday 27th July 2010
John McWhirter Charity Cup

Crows: R. Gordon, D. Tear (J. Turner 70), E. Willoughby, T. Nowell, T. Boddy, J. Hampson (J. Trotter 45), M. Culverhouse, S. Reid (capt), S. Carrington (C. Ottway 40), T. Saunders, S. Treleaven (B. Freeman 65).
Man of the Match: Tom Boddy.

Crowborough Athletic resumed their preparation for the start of the season with a brilliant performance at Ringmer in the John McWhirter Charity Cup.
Sam Carrington and then a Tom Saunders penalty gave the Crows a 2-0 advantage after just 10 minutes, and from then on Boro produced a good all-round display to keep their 2 goal advantage and win the Cup in memory of John McWhirter, a police man who was involved at Ringmer FC and the fireman who died in the firework factory at Halland a few years ago.

Ringmer came close to taking the lead just 4 minutes in, as Jo Jo Tubon latched onto a ball over the Crows defence to go one on one with the advancing Rob Gordon, only to drill the ball over the bar.
Crowborough then took the lead after just 6 minutes. Thom Nowell’s corner from the right picked out Tom Boddy, whose sensational header was parried by Tom Rand, and Carrington beat the keeper to the rebound to smash the ball in from 6 yards.
Moments later, the Crows doubled their advantage. Mike Culverhouse latched onto a header through the Ringmer defence, and was victim of a late challenge by Kiefer Ardean-Webb for referee Paul John to award a penalty. Tom Saunders stepped up to drive the ball beneath the diving Rand and into the bottom left corner.
For the remainder of the half, the Crows produced an impressive defensive performance after being put under pressure by the hosts.

Ringmer came close to pulling a goal back early on in the second half. Darren Lok’s free-kick from the left picked out Tubon, whose looping header was well tipped over the bar by Gordon.
Boro then came close to adding to their lead when Culverhouse found substitute Charlie Ottway who turned well past Jayson Sowter, and drilled the ball narrowly wide of the top far corner, with Rand well beaten.

Over £250 was raised on the gate for the Fire Service Benevolent Fund.

Crowborough now play Horsham YMCA on Saturday at the Crowborough Community Stadium (3PM), before kicking off the season with a home match against Wick next Saturday (3PM).