Four-star Common see off Ringmer

Goals from Lewis Hole, Jamie Crone and Dan Estherby put Common firmly in command before Crone struck again after half time to make sure of the points.

The first half was played in continuous driving rain and Common were quick to stamp their authority on the Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One fixture.

Hole gave them a fourth minute lead, heading home an inch-perfect left wing cross by strike partner Crone at the end of a move which started from a Ringmer corner.

Five minutes later it was 2-0. Estherby raced clear of the Ringmer defence and unselfishly squared for Crone to tap home.

Martin Denny saw an angled drive saved by the feet of away goalkeeper Graham Leach before Common added a third goal in the 23rd minute. Leach came out of his box to head clear a ball over the top, but only found Estherby, who superbly lobbed into the unguarded net from around 35 yards.

Ringmer’s line-up contained plenty of higher level experience and they enjoyed a decent spell after the half-hour mark. Shaun Loft headed against the angle of post and crossbar from a Terry Payne corner, and moments later Matt Maclean’s 25-yard drive was well gathered by Common stopper Matt Cruttwell.

The visitors pulled one back in the 37th minute. Maclean managed to get a low cross away from the right-hand side of the box and Jack Robinson turned the ball home from close range.

The rain had thankfully relented by the start of the second half and Common effectively put the result beyond doubt with a fourth goal in the 55th minute. An attempted clearance by Ringmer full-back Andy Corrigan hit Crone and rebounded into the net.

It was comfortable for Common thereafter, although Maclean did fire one effort over the top after skipping past two defenders. At the other end, a well-struck shot by Dave Ammoun was beaten out by Leach.

Ringmer grabbed a consolation in the 88th minute. A dangerous cross from the right was headed against the far post by Robinson and the ball rebounded against Reece Johnson before rolling into the net.

Common could have added a fifth in the time that remained. Crone dispossessed Loft and squared for Hole, but his touch was poor when invitingly placed and the chance was gone.

Common: Cruttwell, Lusted, Mote (Sherwood HT), Ammoun, McEniry, Eldridge, Denny (Feakins 74), Foster (Haward 83), Hole, Crone, Estherby. Subs not used: Collier, Wells.

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