Mid Sussex League
Montgomery Cup
2nd Round
Saturday 7th January 2023
Kick Off 12.00 Actual 12.08
Ridgewood 3 Balcombe 2, attendance 28
30’ 1-0
34’ 2-0
37’ 3-0
55’ 3-1
71’ 3-2
@ Uckfield Leisure Centre, 3G Pitch
Downsview Crescent
Uckfield
TN22 1UB
No Admission or Programme.
I had naively believed the weather forecast today, so opted for a 3G option to play it safe, but the three hours of heavy rain starting at 11 o’clock (according to the Met Office forecast) never materialised. In fact, it never even rained and there were even odd patches of blue sky during the second half!
When I last saw Ridgewood play a home game, back in April 2021 (0-0 v Reigate Priory att.12) they played at Convent Field, which is adjacent to The Dripping Pan, home of Lewes F.C. Nowadays they play at Uckfield Leisure Centre, on the now all too familiar 3G cage set up, with viewing restricted to one side.
Apart from the attraction of a noon kick off (their Reserves were at home at 2 o’clock) it was also the only ground I hadn’t visited in this division and now leaves me with just five clubs left to complete the entire league. The match itself was also of interest, as 3rd in the Championship Division (W8 L2) hosted 6th in the Premier Division (W8 D1 L4). Very little happened in the opening half hour, but a miss kick by the visitor’s ‘keeper presented Ridgewood with an easy opening goal. An angled shot into the far top corner, followed by a close range finish, saw them race into a three goal lead within seven minutes of breaking the deadlock.
The second half saw Ridgewood try to protect what they had, rather than push for more goals. An unmarked header saw the lead reduced to 3-1 ten minutes into the second half, before a cross from the right was finished with a scuffed shot that looped over the ‘keeper to make it 3-2 as we headed into the last twenty minutes. In the end, the three goal head start was too much for Balcombe to overcome and Ridgewood held on for the win.
Plenty of time for me to head off for a second game at 3 o’clock…..
