Horsham YMCA Football Club

Selling a dummy, YM's James Grant takes on the Crawley defence, picture by Mick Burren courtesy of the West Sussex County Times

Champions ready to defend crown.

YM GEARED up for their defence their County League title with a fine performance against Conference side Crawley Town in the Roy Hayden Trophy.

It took until injury-time for the professional outfit to hit the winner in a 2-1 triumph at Gorings Mead in the Sussex equivalent of the Community Shield, where the Senior Cup holders take on the County League winners.

"It was very pleasing because they have gone full-time now," said YM manager John Suter. "They had their strongest team out apart from James Plumley in goal.

"They were the better side, had more of the ball and better opportunities but we still played well, we kept the ball well," he added.

Crawley took the lead shortly before half-time after YM lost the ball 75 yards from their goal. The visitors swept to the other end of the pitch and Jamie Cade scored.

To the delight of the home fans YM equalised in the last minute when Ali Russell's shirt was tugged in the area and Nick Flint scored the penalty. Flying Winger, YM's Joel O'Hara goes past his marker during the Roy hayden Trophey clash with Conference side Crawley, picture by Mick Burren courtesy of the West Sussex County Times

Flying Winger, YM's Joel O'Hara goes past his marker during the Roy hayden Trophey clash with Conference side Crawley, picture by Mick Burren courtesy of the West Sussex County Times

With the game heading for penalties the hosts fell asleep and Cade fired home his second.

The performance bodes well for YM who start their league campaign at home to Littlehampton on Tuesday evening. However, it promises to be a tough season as it is always harder to defend your title as you are there to be shot at as champions.

"There will be sides that aspire to win the league - eight, nine, ten of them and we will be one of them," stated Suter. "We are looking to defend our trophy that we won last year."

Suter picked out new signings Kris Trevor, Russell Eldridge and Glen Woodburn as players to watch out for, as well as the quality that was already in the squad.

"Dean Garden is looking sharp, we've got James Grant and Joel O'Hara has scored two quality goals in pre-sea-son. We've hardly seen Matt Duffield because he's away for the school holidays.

"We've got some good players that will have good seasons. We haven't got a huge* squad but we have a good quality squad, we will see what happens," said the YM ' supremo.

Tomorrow YM host Rye & Iden in the Norman Wingate Trophy.