Match Report
Sussex County League: Premier Division
 Whitehawk 0 |
 Horsham YMCA 2 Grant 19 Bird 67 |
Date:21st August 2004 Location: Whitehawk
Source: West Sussex County Times
YM MOVED to the top of the table following an impressive 2-0 win at Whitehawk.
John Suter's men have now taken maximum points from their three matches although the veteran manŽager was not getting carried away with their lofty position.
"It does not mean a thing," insistŽed Suter. "Have a look at the teams we have beaten - they are all in the bottom five. I'm keeping my feet on the ground."
On a difficult pitch at Whitehawk, it was the hosts who first put the ball into the back of the net when Andrew Beech stooped to head in Terry Cooper's free-kick. However, the 'goal' was disallowed for off-side.
YM had a chance of their own, Martin Comper shooting straight at the Whitehawk keeper, but the visiŽtors continued to push forward and were rewarded with a 19th minute goal.
James Grant and Nick Hint husŽtled the Whitehawk defence on the edge of the box, leaving Grant to score his second goal in three games for his new club.
Whitehawk retaliated and forced two good chances, both falling to the prolific Tommy Pattenden. However, the striker shot the first opportunity over the bar before lobŽbing the second on to the roof of James Plumley's net.
YM nearly doubled their lead before half-time when Hint poked the ball goalwards but Whitehawk's defender Toby Phillips was in the right place to clear the danger.
The hosts responded with anothŽer good chance due to some chaotic YM defending which let Steven Garrod in, but he fired over the bar minutes before the half-time whisŽtle.
The dangerous Pattenden caused YM hearts to flutter when the teams resumed hostilities after the break, crossing over Plumley's head but against the inside of the far post which allowed Nathan Sleat to clear the loose ball.
The visitors hung on and scored their second goal in the 67th minute. James Bird, who scored the only goal in the narrow victory against East Grinstead in YM's preŽvious outing, blasted a free-kick straight past the Whitehawk keeper to double the advantage.
Suter then moved Grant upfront, a decision which brought about three clear-cut chances for the forŽmer Horsham midfielder.
The diminutive player first hit the post, despite having his shirt pulled, but then wasted another golden opportunity when he went clear but a poor first touch let him down.
Ali Russell, who impressed in his first start, set up Grant but he shot the game's last chance straight at the keeper.
"I was very happy to win at Whitehawk," said Suter. "They had a few players out but the scoreline will stand for the whole of the seaŽson."
Team: (4-4-2): Plumley; Garden, Westgate, Carter, Sleat; Grant, Bird, Comper (Potter 60), O'Hara; Flint (Brown 70), Russell.