Match Report
County League:Division One
 Horsham YMCA 2 Gellatly 4 M.Russell 36 |  Hassocks 0 |
Date: 13th December 2005 Location:Gorings Mead
Source: Patrick Corlett, West Sussex County Times
WE SAW two sides to the champions on Tuesday night as YM had a scintillating first half but were forced to hang on to a 2-0 victory against Hassocks after the break.
The Gorings Mead side have closed the gap on Ringmer - who are sitting pretty on top of the table - to nine points but they do have two games in hand.
The impressive Dave Gellatly put the hosts in front after just four minutes and the lead was doubled by Matt Russell in the 36th minute. YM passed the ball superbly and could have put the game to bed with a flurry of chances at the end of the half.
However Hassocks never gave up and put pressure on throughout the second half but the home side stood firm to earn the three points.
YM took the lead from a goalkick by Ian Chatfield that was cushioned down by Ali Russell for Gellatly, who was allowed to run at the defence before tucking the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot.
Minutes later, Gellatly -who ran the show in the first half - played a delightful through ball to Matt Russell but he was tackled just as he was pulling the trigger. Ali Russell was first to the loose ball and got a rasping drive away that was well blocked.
Gellatly curled the ball into Matt Dufield's path and the marauding right-back lifted the ball over the defender - Gazza style - but volleyed over the bar.
Hassocks had a great chance to equalise in the 14th minute when Grahame Beveridge knocked the ball down for Pat Harding. The dangerous striker saw his shot pushed on to the post and the rebound somehow went over the top from James Laing who was under pressure from Ellis Hooper.
Glen Woodburn powered a header over the bar from-a Russell Eldridge corner that looked in all the way,
The visitors threatened again through Harding. He raced clear but Chatfield dived at his feet, however, Harding latched on to the ball but curled his shot wide from an angle with the keeper stranded.
Eldridge delivered another quality ball into the box but Joel Harding smothered Matt Russell's effort at the near post.
Just after that Russell was not to be denied when James Grant fed him, the hitman turned well in the box and fired a fearsome shot past the keeper at his near post.
The hosts could have wrapped the game up in a ten minute period before the break as the Hassocks goal led a charmed life.
Quick feet from Gellatly enabled him to whip a cross in that was laid off by Ali Russell for Grant but the midfield dynamo was denied by a good save.
Another Eldridge corner caused havoc as the ball was flicked goalwards but headed off the line and minutes later Harding made a great stop to leave Woodburn with his head in his hands.
YM's passing went awry in the second half as Gellatly and Eldridge could not get hold of the ball and drifted out of the game, allowing the visitors on to them more. Credit to Hassocks, they did not lie down but the home side were solid at the back.
Having ended the half in style YM struggled to test Harding in the second 45. The keeper was out sharply to dive at Matt Russell's feet, he also intercepted a cross-shot Iron Eldridge and watched a free kick from the cultured left footer go wide of the upright.
In contrast the hosts' defence was tested. Anthony Hibber curled an effort high and wide and Harding flashed a header wide of the post from a fantastic cross by Matt Robins.
The visitors were kept at bay until the ball ricocheted kindly for Robins on the edge of the box but with just Chatfield to beat he fired wide.
The keeper was forced into action as he clung on to a header from Beveridge and saved from his own man as cross hit Hooper and went goalbound.
"It was hard fought," said manager John Suter. "They are always a difficult side to play against. I thought the first half was good - we had them on the back foot, which you have to work very hard to do. The second half petered out. which was very happy with. Overall| I was very pleased with it."
Team: (4-4-2): Chatfield; Duffield, Hooper (Carter 90), Woodburn, Levett; Grant, Potter, Gellatly, Eldridge; M Russell (Carden 83), A Russell.