Match Report
County League: Division One
| Pagham 2 Forden 68 (pen) Hope 87 |
Horsham YMCA 2 Davies 34 |
Source: Russell Staves, West Sussex County Times
FOOTBALL matches are often won and lost by mistakes and James Plumley's clumsy second half error proved the point.
The visitors looked in command after Steve Davies had given them the lead but Plumley handed a toothless Pagham a lifeline that ultimately changed the course of the game.
There appeared little danger as the teenage keeper came out to claim the ball at the feet of substitute Dave Speller. But the 16 year old stopper fumbled possession back into the
Pagham player's path before pulling off a personal tribute to Martin Johnson's international retirement by felling Speller with a textbook rugby tackle around the legs.
Twickenham would have applauded such an effort but Plumley's bemused team-mates responded by putting their hands on their heads in disbelief as Brett Forden buried the resulting penalty-
The goal inspired the hosts and they went on to snatch the game when Martin Hope fired a classy winner three minutes from the end.
"The penalty was the turning point," admitted YM manager John Suter. "They were no great shakes, we had them on the back foot but the penalty brought them back into the game. We shot ourselves in the foot."
Suter thought Plumley's inexperience cost his side dearly. "He's only 16 and he's still learning the game. But it was a bad mistake. When a keeper makes mistakes then it's something you can see. It's one of the unfortunate things about being a keeper."
The youngster will shoulder most of the blame for the defeat yet his team-mates in front of him would have made the task a lot easier had they added to Davies' opener. "We need to get a second goal, we need to be 2-0 up," conceded Suter.
There was little quality on offer, aside from the goals from Davies and Hope, and if games were decided on giving the ball away then this would have made for an entertaining eight-all draw.
Neither side stamped any authority on the match, and it was hard to tell if the eggs and tomatoes that were part of the meat raffle prize were meant to be cooked or thrown at the players who had served up such rotten goods.
The defeat concluded an interesting week for the YM manager -he offered to resign last Monday -and not even the appointment of former Horsham assistant manager Ali Rennie to the coaching staff could bring a much needed change in fortune.
"You keep thinking things are going to change, but there have been too many false dawns. It's like someone up there is taking the mick out of me," he added.
The freezing wind that whipped through Pagham's open ground did little to encourage the shivering crowd who huddled together under the grey skies and the bumpy pitch did not help matters on the field.
Most of the spectators were still discussing the surprise Wolves-Man United scoreline as the game kicked off but all eyes fell on Davies within the first 50 seconds when the blond forward streaked through with only keeper Wes Hallett to beat. His finish, however, was wayward and he pulled a left foot volley wide.
Pagham should have gone ahead in the eighth minute but Plumley pulled off a brilliant point blank double save from Bryn Hauxwell and then Darren Akmenkalns to ensure the scores remained level.
Nathan Sleat was a fortunate man as Pagham looked to have had a good claim for a handball in the box but the home side nearly got a lucky break when Hope's miss-hit cross dipped under the bar until Plumley tipped it over.
There was very little quality on show although Davies' opener contrasted sharply with what had previously been on offer. Sleat's long diagonal ball sent Davies away and he finished with panache, shooting across the keeper and just inside the far post.
Pagham responded gamely and went close to equalising less than a minute later after a whipped cross caught out the YM defence. Hope just failed to get a touch as he slid in but the ball fell kindly for James Mandry who could not beat Plumley from a tight angle.
Mandry was involved in a controversial moment two minute from half-time. After Dean Carde had given away possession Mandry tried to go round Plumle but knocked the ball out for a go kick just before being clattered t the keeper. The Pagham players were up in arms but referee Andrew Goddard oddly signalled for a corner thinking Plumley hi got the final touch.
A few of the spectators opted for the sanctuary of the clubhouse as the teams emerged for the second half and Paul Young's well struck shot which thudded in Hallett's mid-riff was the sum tot of both team's efforts in the opening 15 minutes.
YM looked comfortable Pagham continued to miss-fire front of goal until Plumley's blunder gave Forden the chance level from 12 yards and 1 grabbed it.
Young nearly restored YM advantage minutes later when connected sweetly from the ed of the area but Hallett made 1 best save of the game.
Plumley went some way atoning for the penalty when denied Forden's header but the was nothing he could do to prevs Hope's 87th- winner that nestled the bottom corner.
Team: Plumley; Charman (Garden 11), Silsby, Fenn, Sleat; Duffield, Potter, Westgate (Still 89), Young (Andrews 89) Churchill, Davies.