Match Report
County League:Division One
 Horsham YMCA 3 M.Russell 12 Grant 20 Carden 75(pen) |  Eastbourne United Association 1Catt 72 |
Date: 17th December 2005 Location:Gorings Mead
Source: Steve payne, West Sussex County Times
THERE is a still a long way to go, but YM edged closer to the County League leaders Ringmer who were unexpectedly held to a draw, on Saturday.
YM are now seven points adrift but have two games in hand.
For the first 20 minutes of Saturday's match it looked like YM might rattle up a cricket score, such was their domination and skill.
However, they had to settle for just a brace while, after the break, the visitors were given heart with a reply until the home side slammed the door in their face with a penalty.
As usual, YM were unable to field an exact same side two games running, with Ali Russell, who was in the side last Tuesday, now playing rugby for Horsham on a Saturday.
But 42 seconds into the match and James Grant almost netted, only thwarted by the keeper, Mark Oldroyd.
The opener, however, came on 12 minutes when three YM players in a congested penalty box had a swipe at the ball. The first two were blocked but Matt Russell managed to find a gap between defenders.
Eastbourne had little fire power up front and only Shaun Dennis looked likely to cause a problem, though all three of his first half shots were from outside the box and off target, the last one just missing the bar.
At the other end, though, YM made it 2-0 after 20 minutes as Grant sped down the left wing.
He fired in a cross that was too close to goal but the ball flew over the keeper into the far corner, leaving him shaking his head in disbelief at his good fortune.
Left-back Nick Levett was providing good passes for Grant who had another couple of efforts in the first half.
YM seemed to take the foot off the pedal after the break and only Russell was able to provide any firepower, with a couple of shots saved.
The visitors edged back and, after 72 minutes, a cross from the right saw Sknon Catt bundle the ball home, despite two defenders round him.
It was a blip, though, as three minutes later Russell attempted to jink into the penalty area, only to be upended. Dean Carter stepped up to fire home the spot kick.
Late on, YM could have grabbed more but sub Joel O'Hara had a good shot saved and then a brilliant run and cross from Carter saw Russell head straight at the keeper.
Manager John Suter was happy with the points.
"It's a funny old game football. You are two nil up and there's only one side in it. They do one thing right and suddenly at 2-1 everyone panics.
"We had chances to score all through the game and their keeper made a few good saves.
"I think we could have been more clinical. But with the possession we had it was a deserved win.
"Now on to Boxing Day. That will be a good game against Three Bridges, with Ali Rennie (Suter's former coach) running it and a few ex players. It will be very emotional."
Team: (4-4-2): Chatfield; Carter, Hooper, Woodburn, Levett; Duffield (Hudai 79), Potter, Gallatly (O'Hara 73), Grant; Eldridge, Russell.