FOOTBALL: Will Arundel be runners-up?

The result was not enough to clinch the league title as Eastbourne UA beat Redhill 2-0 to finish top. But Mullets could still finish down in fourth place depending on the investigation into Chichester playing an ineligible player.

If Chichester are found guilty, the likelihood is that they will be docked points, and teams who Callum Cutler played against will be awarded the result.

If this happens, Horsham YMCA and Wick will both receive three points and will move above Arundel, with YM taking the title and Wick finishing in third place.

The first half on Saturday was fairly uneventful with Mullets looking comfortable, without posing any real goal threat.

Service to Howard Neighbour and Gary Norgate was good early on as they both got the better of the Ringmer defence, and Norgate's back post looping header was cleared off the line on 25 minutes.

Ringmer slowly found their feet and saw two long-range shots dip just over Mullets keeper Lee Arnell's goal, which were early warning signs to Richard Towers' men.

Mullets' best chance of the half arose on the half-hour as Mike Huckett played in Neighbour, who fired his shot into the side netting.

Three minutes before the break, Ringmer took the lead. After pinball in the Mullets penalty area following a corner, an off-balance Sam Sowter volleyed low into the right-hand corner.

Strong words issued in the Mullets dressing room during half-time saw them run rampant from the start of the second-half.

Gary Norgate netted his 38th goal of the season and levelled after good work from Neighbour on the left.

With Mullets gaining confidence, the match took another twist when Ringmer's Darren Altendorff fired home a 20-yard right-foot screamer in off the post.

Towers called for more urgency from his players and on 72 minutes they levelled. Substitute James Crane's bursting run and cross from the left was converted by Neighbour.

The momentum was firmly with Mullets and they took the lead five minutes later when Crane tapped home after a lucky rebound off the keeper.

Moments later, Crane doubled his tally. He showed a touch of class with a first-time volley which rocketed into the top-right corner of the goal.

Mullets finished off a dejected Ringmer side in the last minute of injury-time as the inspirational Crane beat the keeper in a footrace down the right, and passed across goal for Norgate to tap into an empty goal.

Arundel manager Towers praised his side's efforts despite a slow start. He said: "We made hard work of the game and looked a bit tired, due to all the games we've played recently.

"I was delighted with our second-half performance, obviously, and thought we took our goals well.

"It's been a very long season, and I think we thoroughly deserve where we've finished."

ARUNDEL: Arnell; Sneller, Wimbleton, D.Walker, Hall; Biggs, Grove, Mike Huckett, Axell; Neighbour, Norgate. Subs: Crane (Axell 45), Tipper, Hack (Biggs, Wimbleton 65).

-------------------------------------

Click here to go back to Worthing sport.

Click here to return to Gazette sport.

Click here to go back to Shoreham sport.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: [email protected]