Match Report
Sussex County League: Premier Division
| Redhill 2 | Horsham YMCA 1 Churchill 62 |
Date: 20th Apr 2004 Location:Kiln Brow
Source: Richard Bryne , West Sussex County Times
"IT WAS a disappointing end to a disappointing season," summed up YM manager John Suter as their campaign ended with defeat in the rain.
With the departure of Burgess Hill – the Manchester United of the County League – YM were expected to challenge for the title after finishing a close third last year. But the loss of key players and their habitual travel sickness meant that they finished in the bottom half of the table.
Only one of their 11 wins has come away from Gorings Mead and they have the third worst away record in the division.
In the most wide open title race for years, YM have been also-rans as the loss of Jason Dumbrill, Stewart McCreadie, Peter Durrant, Tom Carter and Nick Flint was too big to overcome.
"We lost important players at the start of the season," acknowledged Suter, who will celebrate 50 years in Sussex football as a player and manager next season. "The positive side is the youngsters who are coming through from the reserves and under-18s. There are a lot of good players around the first team squad, but too many times we've not been at full strength. But every manager will say that, and every club just has to deal with injuries and find replacements."
Their final fixture was a microcosm of their season. They looked good in spells, bad in spells, managed to give away soft goals and left the field wondering where it all went wrong.
Mark Sherwin gave the hosts a deserved lead just before the break but Phil Churchill equalised just after the hour. YM were looking the more likely winners at this stage before Redhill substitute Matt Dean scored the winner.
Suter felt the game was a good advert for football but would rather have points than plaudits. "I thought we deserved something out of it. We just edged it for the first half an hour but then we kept giving the ball away and we were in disarray.
"We started the second half very positively and played some good stuff. When we scored the goal, I thought we could go on and win it. They were very quick and mobile, and we played too many square balls all evening. But you can't really criticise the players – everyone worked very hard."
On a miserable night, the brave fans got wet, even though the tempting glow of the television showing the Monaco-Chelsea game could be seen through the clubhouse window.
YM went into the match without skipper Matt Duffield, Wayne Potter and Joel O'Hara and faced the towering figure of Scott Kenwood, who started the season at Gorings Mead, in the home goal.
Redhill looked lively going forward with the nippy Jamie Sinclair and David Graves on the flanks. The hosts had the first real chance when James Plumley saved well with his legs from stocky striker Luke Jones.
But YM also looked interested, with striker Steve Davis holding the ball up well and bringing other players into the game. In the 21st minute his cushioned lay-off opened up the goal for partner Churchill whose shot lacked the power to beat former team-mate Kenwood.
It was pretty even for the first half hour, but YM's tendency to give away possession invited the hosts to mount quick raids, and they hit some searching balls into the danger zone.
Redhill almost took the lead five minutes before the break when Plumley first knocked the lively Michael Morgan's shot onto the bar and then made an even better save, twisting in mid-air to tip over Sinclair's follow-up volley.
But two minutes later the teenage keeper could do nothing when Sherwin slid in to convert Morgan's excellent cross from the left.
In injury time, Plumley almost gifted the hosts a goal when Graves knocked the keeper's poor clearance into the path of Morgan. The striker stepped inside Barrie Westgate but Plumley redeemed himself with a smart stop with his legs.
As the spectators started to shuffle towards the clubhouse, Churchill was inches away from touching home Young's superb curling cross.
Soon after the break, Redhill opened up the visitors and appealed loudly, but unsuccessfully, for a penalty when Paul Charman blocked Sherwin's goal-bound shot.
But YM started to find their rhythm and equalised in the 62nd minute when Churchill took Young's precise crossfield pass in his stride and swept the ball past the advancing Kenwood.
The game really opened up as everyone took the chance to enjoy themselves. YM were a fingertip away from going ahead when Davies swivelled and shot in one quick movement but Kenwood touched his effort onto the bar.
However, it was the hosts who made the breakthrough when substitute Dean drilled a low shot through Plumley's legs after YM wasted several chances to clear.
Dean was enjoying his opportunity, and tested Plumley with a well-struck shot from 25 yards that the young keeper was forced to turn over. Redhill could have gone further ahead but Charman's wonderful last-ditch tackle stopped Ben Bigger sweeping home a loose ball.
Suter threw on Dean Carden and Greg Brabon, and YM gave it a go in the final ten minutes. Churchill screwed a shot wide, and Young had a couple of long-range efforts, forcing a good save from Kenwood in injury time.
They traipsed off with a smile and while they may not all be at Gorings Mead next season, one thing is certain – Suter, who is already the longest serving manager in the league, will be embarking on his 16th season at the helm.
Team: Plumley; Charman (Carden 83), Westgate, Fenn, Sleat; Young, Bird, Brown, Still (Brabon 83); Davies, Churchill.
