Match Report
Sussex County League: Premier Division
| Rye and Iden United 1 Tuppenny 18 |
Horsham YMCA 0 |
Date: 27th Mar 2004 Location: Rye
Source: West Sussex County Times
YM'S six game unbeaten streak came to an end when they lost 1-0 to an experienced Rye side in the County League Division 1.
After the long journey down to the East Sussex coast, John Suter's men fell foul to Paul Tuppenny's speculative 30-yarder which YM keeper James Plumley left, thinking it was going wide, only to see it nestle into the net.
At the other end of the field, YM rarely threatened the home goal and a title chasing Rye celebrated at the final whistle as if they had won the league.
"It was a frustrating afternoon. They were jubilant at the end, but I don't think they will win the league. I won't know anything about football if they do," said Suter.
While the veteran manager was unimpressed with the opposition, he was similarly disappointed with his own players. "We have not got enough players who would roll their socks up and give us some good, honest battle," he moaned.
Plumley has won more man of the match awards than any other YM player, but the 16 year old has learnt this year that errors cost goals and that the life of a goalkeeper is a very lonely one.
"It was unfortunate that James made a mistake that cost us the game. The lack of goals means his mistake was highlighted," he said.
YM went into the game with in-form striker Phil Churchill, James Bird and Joel O'Hara unavailable, so Suter handed teenager Matt Simpson a debut. The midfielder, who made a substitute appearance for Horsham this year, made a promising first start.
It was the debutant who had the first effort on goal in the 14th minute when he unleashed a 30-yarder which just went past the angle of post and bar.
Rye took the lead minutes later with a shot from similar distance, when Tuppenny's shot flew into the net past a static Plumley who misjudged the flight of the ball. "He just left it and watched it go in," explained Suter.
The visitors had to wait until the final minute of the half to respond when Paul Young shot straight at the keeper from an acute angle.
YM had the first chance of the second half, Matt Duffield shooting past the post after being released by Wayne Potter.
Plumley atoned for his earlier error when he saved point blank from Ade Olorunda after Nathan Sleat had been turned inside out.
Two pieces of action towards the end of the game summed up YM's dearth of attacking invention. First Young's free-kick went untouched, allowing Rye an easy clearance, and then Steve Davies did wonderfully well to get to the goal line and cross but there was no-one there to apply the finishing touch. "The ball was in tears, crying out to be kicked into the net," explained Suter.
YM will hope to improve when they entertain Sidley at 2pm tomorrow.
Team: Plumley; Duffield, Westgate, Charman, Sleat; Davies, Simpson, Potter, Brown, Young; Taylor (Still 75).