Match Report
County League:Division One
 Hassocks 1 Harding(P) 77 |  Horsham YMCA 2 Grant 58 Davies 66 |
Date: 16th February 2005 Location: Hassocks
Source: West Sussex County Times
GOALS from James Grant and Steve Davies ensured YM got out of their recent slump with a 2-1 victory at Hassocks on Wednesday night.
The pair combined superbly for Grant's opener and then linked up again to secure the points despite the hosts pulling one back through Pat Harding in a nervous finale.
"I was relieved to hear the final whistle," said manager John Suter. "It's good to get the three points after the run we have been having, hopefully we can kick on from here," he added.
Playing with the wind in the first half the visitors often over hit the passes and did not play their best football but they did have an opening in the first minute when Ali Russell headed Gary Bidwell's free-kick over the bar.
Richard Thomas then had a couple of chances for Hassocks, he got clear of the defence and forced Ian Chatfield into a great save.
For the second opportunity he did not connect properly with the shot and it was comfortable for the YM keeper.
Clinton Moore and Bidwell replied for YM but both their efforts were saved by the keeper.
Shortly after half-time Grant went on a mazy run and beat three defenders but his shot just went wide of the far post.
A super cross from Davies picked out Moore but he scuffed his effort.
YM did break the deadlock in the 59th minute. Grant found Davies who produced a brilliant piece of play to drop his shoulder and dummy the keeper then kept his cool to put it on a plate for Grant for a certain goal and the dynamic midfielder did not disappoint.
"It was as good a bit of football that Steve Davies has played all season, the control, touch and awareness," purred Suter.
The advantage was doubled in the 66th minute after Russell hit a fantastic 40 yard pass to Grant who miss-hit his shot and it fell into the path of the predatory Davies to tuck the ball home.
Mickey Turner's cross picked out Graham Beverage but the big man could not get the touch he was after. However Hassocks did pull a goal back with 12 minutes to remaining.
A Beverage cross was headed up in the air by Harding and he, Chatfeild and Ellis Hooper all went for it but it was the Hassocks hitman who got there first to finish clinically.
With their tails up and YM looking nervous the hosts went on the hunt for an equaliser but Chris Hewitt's free-kick was expertly tipped over by Chatfield as it was top corner bound and YM held on for the points.
YM host Hailsham Town tomorrow in the league as they bid to carry on winning.
Team: (4-4-2): Chatfield; Carden, Hooper, Carter, Levitt; Bidwell, Butcher, Russell, Grant; Moore, Davies (Westgate 80). Unused substitutes: Sleat, Williams.