Match Report
County League:Division One
 Horsham YMCA 2 Russell 79 Trevor 97 |  Eastbourne Town 1Godfrey 30 |
Date: 15th October 2005 Location: Gorings Mead
Source: Steve Payne , West Sussex County Times
IN A scene reminiscent of the end of a major cup final, Eastbourne's players looked shocked and shattered on Saturday as the final whistle went.
They had every right to be dismayed and depressed as, for most of the game, they had played the better football, passed the ball more accurately, battled with more conviction and, quite simply, looked the better side.
They even had a man advantage for the last few minutes of normal time after YM's James Grant was sent off.
But football can be cruel and YM conjured a victory from nowhere, thanks to one defensive lapse and a winner that looked offside in the 97th minute.
Home manager John Suter said: "It was a poor, lack lustre first half performance. We showed no sharpness, we were too casual, not enough urgency and I thought they played some good football in the first half.
"In the second half the tempo was raised a little bit and they made a mistake by sitting too deep. They seemed quite happy to defend their lead.
"It was an unlikely three points. It's nice to be on the right side of it, though - it must be very disappointing for them."
YM did create a couple of promising first half moves, but it was not until the 37th minute that they managed a shot (albeit soft) on target.
Town provided a very dangerous cross after just 21 seconds and, 16 minutes later, Steve Dallaway had a close range effort hacked away in a crowded penalty box.
So it was no great surprise when the visitors took the lead. On the half hour Mark Goodwin's cross was met by Bob Godfrey who stooped to head in from close range.
Town barely had a second half chance but, to be fair, they seemed to be defending well enough and YM's work in the final third was very poor. Glen Woodburn for the home side missed a sitter with his head in front of goal after 50 minutes and then Ali Russell blasted over from the edge of the box.
Gary Bidwell came on to make a more attacking 3-4-3 formation, but it was a complete surprise when Russell, on 79 minutes, was allowed to turn in the box and slammed a shot into the far corner.
YM supporters were breathing a sigh of relief at getting a point and when Grant was shown red for a second bookable offence it looked like a tense few minutes hanging on to the draw.
But in the 97th minute, Adam O'Carroll's long ball forward was nodded on to Kris Trevor who looked offside, but ģie charged forward, beat a defender and drilled home.
He was promptly mobbed by his team-mates while Town looked on in shock.
Team: (4-4-2): ): Chatfield; Garden (Martin 91), Carter, Woodburn, O'Carroll; Duffield (Bidwell 61), Westgate, Eldridge, Grant; Trevor, Russell.
