Match Report
Brighton Charity Cup: Quarter Final
 Horsham YMCA 1 Duffield 64 |  Wick 1 Evans 42 |
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| Wick win 4:2 on Penalties | |||
Date: 21st March2006 Location:Gorings Mead
Source: West Sussex County Times
YM SUFFERED the agony of a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Wick having dominated for large periods of Tuesday night's Brighton Charity Cup game.
The visitors made the brighter start and were good value for their lead given to them by Kane Evans just before half-time.
However YM played them off the park in the second period, but only had a Matt Duffield goal to show for it after an inspired substitution to bring on Ali Russell changed the game.
The hosts were also the better side in extra-time but could not find that elusive winner.
The Gorings Mead side have a poor record under manager John Suter in shootouts, and that continued when the imposing Oliver Khan look-a-like, Tom Rand, saved from Dave Gellatly and James Bird.
Wick tucked all of theirs away for a 4-2 victory.
"It's as pleased as I've ever been with a defeat," said an upbeat Suter. "We dominated. We kept the ball and moved it around ever so well, just couldn't put the ball into the back of the net to put the icing on the cake.
"We were all over the place in the first 15-20 minutes but they were not an attacking force after the break."
The manager was backed up by the stats as Wick only had two efforts in the second half and extra-time, compared to YM's 15 shots during that time.
"Once we got into penalties, it's usually the side that scrapes through by the skin of its teeth that wins and we are not a great penalty shootout side.
"I'm not overly worried about coming out of it but would have loved a Horsham v YMCA game - it would have been good for the town," remarked Suter.
Wick looked dangerous, catching the hosts out with balls over the top, and came closest to scoring when Evans sent the ball crashing off the top of the bar.
YM's best moment came when a James Grant shot was Dreadful defending from YM handed Wick the lead in the 42nd minute. Barrie Westgate's header back to lan Chatfield never looked like it had enough on it but Dean Garden let it through and Evans lofted the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net.
The hosts started to move through the gears in the second half and did have the ball in the back of the net early but Ellis Hooper was flagged offside.
The turnings-point came when Suter threw Mijlussell on up front, the centre-i caused havoc for the rest the evening.
He flicked on a long throw with his first touch and the skipper, Duffield, slammed the ball into the roof of the net.
From then on Wick were forced back and it was all YM. Garden was always an outlet at right-back and his diagonal balls into the box caused danger.
YM came close numerous occasions, perhaps the only error of the night from Rand was when he came a long way to punch clear, he was beaten to the ball by Ali Russell, but the header went inches wide.
Matt Russell was thwarted by an excellent save from the keeper and flashed a header wide. Good work by Nick Levett and Matt Russell set up Gellatly, but he too was denied by a fine save from Rand.
The pressure was relentless but still they couldn't find a way through as Hooper saw a header well saved and the game went into extra-time.
Gellatly and Duffield had shots saved by Rand before the inevitable spot kick drama.
At 3-2, with Garden and Duffield scoring for YM, Rand comfortably saved from Gellatly, Chris Morrow made it 4-2 before a better save by Rand denied Bird - cue Wick celebrations.
YM were very unlucky and Russell had turned the game on its head but his availability to YM is limited due to rugby commitments for Horsham Lions.
"It's a shame that Ali Russell plays rugby, I don't feel bitter about it, just disappointed that he has chosen rugby and not football, but it's his decision," remarked Suter.
Team: (4-4-2): Chatfield; Garden, Hooper, Westgate (Woodburn 115), Levett; Duffield, Potter, Grant (Bird 63); Hudai (A Russell 63), M Russell.