Hornets sting neighbours.
HORSHAM claimed local bragging rights with a 5-2 victory over neighbours YM on Tuesday night.
The damage was done in the first half as the Hornets flew into a 4-0 lead courtesy of a brace from the on-fire Jamie Taylor and goals from new boys Dominic Hudak and John Parley.
However, the County League Division 1 champions put up a plucky second half display and pulled goals back through Joel O'Hara and Dean Garden from the spot but Nigel Brake had the last word for the hosts.
"The first 45minutes was really, really, really good," drooled Horsham manager John Maggs. "We were streets above them in the first half which is encouraging, that side gave Crawley a run. Every player in the first half was superb, absolutely superb.
"But I'm disappointed with our second half performance, the way we defended and when it wasn't happening for us we decided to chuck the work in as well," added Maggs.
John Suter was pleased with his side's second half efforts, considering they were missing James Grant, Matt Duffield, Kris Trevor and Glen Woodburn. "It was a good exercise for us. I thought Horsham played very well and I won't take anything away from them but we didn't defend well in the first half, Nathan Sleat was given a torrid time down their right. Their selection of final ball was excellent.
"We went out there to win the second half and scored two goals against a side that played in the first half, it was shame about the last goal," added the YM boss.
Horsham made the ideal start when John Westcott - who was outstanding - crossed for Taylor at the far post and he smashed in an excellent volley across Ian Chatfield, giving the former Horsham stopper no chance.
Possession was fairly equal until midway through the half but the Ryman side had the cutting edge and Taylor missed a far easier chance to score than the first one when he curled the ball over from close range after Hudak had made a nuisance of himself.
Brake, who tormented his marker in the first half, skinned Nick Levett for pace and crossed for Westcott to head wide.
Lee Carney then slid the ball in behind Sleat and Westcott squared for Hudak to double the advantage, taking a touch before passing into the bottom corner.
YM's only chance came as the lively Nick Flint latched on to a long clearance from the keeper, beat Rob Frankland to the ball but fired over under pressure.
A rampant Horsham missed more chances before they scored two goals in two minutes, Parley heading home Brake's centre and Taylor tapping in from close range after Carney hit the post.
Parley, who organised well at the back, was replaced at half-time and YM took advantage as they penetrated down Horsham's right with success.
O'Hara nicely dinked the ball over the keeper immediately after the restart and eight minutes later got in again and was brought down by Frankland.
Garden coolly dispatched the penalty to make it 4-2 and add some respectability to the score.
There were substitutes galore, particularly from Horsham, after that and YM enjoyed a better second half until the last action of the game when young James Cant crossed deep for Brake to send a bullet header into the top corner.
Horsham conclude their pre-season programme tomorrow when they travel to Ryman Premier side Folkestone Invicta.