Match Report
County League: Division One
 Horsham YMCA 3 Russell.M 36, 71 Trevor 56 |  Wick 0 | |||
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Source: Patrick Corlett, West Sussex County Times |
HORSHAM YMCA have achieved the hardest thing in football, retaining their league title.
The Gorings Mead side had trailed Ringmer by 12 points at one stage but Saturday's 3-0 victory over Wick con¬firmed them as champions of County League Division 1.
A brace from top scorer Matt Russell and one from Kris Trevor sealed a compre¬hensive win as YM were crowned in style.
The hosts took a while to get going but once they had scored first it was always going to be a celebration, however, manager John Suter only admitted that they had won back to back championships after the third had gone in.
"I think we might have won the league now," he said after Russell's second goal with 20 minutes left.
Russell had the first effort after ten minutes, shooting low at Tom Rand.
Phil Fitzgerald blocked a shot from Wick's Pete Christodon before James Bird scuffed a good chance for YM.
Chances went begging before YM opened the scoring in the 36th minute.
Russell and Kris Trevor linked up well and the ball was moved across the park by Gellatly to Matt Duffield and he flighted the ball to the far post where Russell smashed home from close range.
O'Hara (twice) and Matt Duffield went close before Trevor doubled the advantage.
Mark Cooper completely missed his kick, the diminu¬tive frontman raced clear and tucked the ball past the keep¬er.
Russell added the third after Rand misjudged a cross and the hitman chested the ball down and drove a shot into the back of the net in the 71st minute.
He was denied a hat-trick when the referee - Steve Feest - judged he had fouled Rand before heading in.
Russell missed another two attempts and O'Hara and Hooper also threatened as YM completed a superb day.
Team: (4-4-2): Carden, Hooper, Fitzgerald (Bidwell 83), Levett; Duffield (Dunk 83), Bird, Gellatly, O'Hara; Trevor (Grant 64), Russell.