Match Report
R.U.R. Cup, 2nd Round
 East Preston 3Biggs 52, 72 Smith 93 |
 Horsham YMCA 4Grant 3, 73 Russell 91 O'Hara 100 |
Date: 25th Septemeber 2004 Location: The Lashmar, East Preston
Source: By West Sussex County Times
JOEL O'Hara scored an extra-time winner as YM beat bogey side East Preston 4-3 in the second round of the RUR Cup.
With the game well poised at 3-3 after both sides missed a multitude of chances, O'Hara stooped to head n a 100th minute winner from Mick Flint's cross to send YM through to the next round.
"Over the past few years we have lot done well against them, so it vas a pleasing result," said YM manager John Suter.
"I have to give credit to the side. We worked hard, were fit and bat-led. I like those qualities," he added.
YM's recent meetings with East Peston have brought scant success although Suter's men will have travelled to the Lashmar Road round buoyant considering their top of the table position. Hopes of a rare win rocketed in le third minute when James Grant itched on to O'Hara's pass and otted low past Andy McCarthy in IB home goal.
East Preston should have equalised two minutes later but, in keeping with a game where chances went begging, Josh Sutcliffe put the ill over the bar from close range. YM nearly doubled their advantage when Barrie Westgate headed side but the visitors needed a corn-nation of debutant keeper Chris Wilson and Nathan Sleat to prevent Chris Hibberd equalising moments later.
"You could see it being 9-8 at If-time," said Suter. Flint and Matt Huckett traded missed chances at either end and McCarthy had to be alert to deny ant a second goal as YM took a slender lead into the break. Both sides continued to fashion openings and, after Flint had blast-another chance wide, East Preston finally converted after 52 minutes. Dave Hall's free-kick straight down the middle was not cleared allowing Josh Biggs to turn and shoot past Poison.
"We were having a bad period. We could not pass, we could not cross, we could not take corners, we could not take free-kicks and we could not shoot. Everything we did was useless," said Suter.
Poison pulled off a fine reaction save from Jim Smith's header but East Preston took a 72nd minute lead when Biggs nodded home.
YM were behind for just a minute, however, Grant shooting in at the near post after a one-two with Flint.
The chances kept coming at both ends with O'Hara and Grant fluff¬ing golden openings that would have won the game in normal time.
Substitute Ali Russell put YM ahead in the second minute of extra-time, heading O'Hara's cross through McCarthy's legs, but the hosts were level within two min¬utes.
Poison saved Hibberd's right-wing cross but Smith pounced and buried the rebound to make it 3-3.
YM pushed for a winner but Grant and O'Hara missed as the thought of a dreaded penalty shoot-out loomed.
However, O'Hara got it right to send YM through.
"Granty could have had six goals. When you talk about a mid-fielder creating six chances, that's fantastic. I was very impressed with his running from midfield," said Suter.
Team: Poison; Duffield, Westgate, Sleat, Levett; Garden (Bidwell 90), Bird (Comper 90), Grant, O'Hara; Davies (Russell 70), Flint.