Match Report
County League: Division One
 Kingstonian 1Reid 18 |
 Horsham YMCA 2 Davies 6 Bird 82 |
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| Source: West Sussex County Times |
HORHSAM YMCA made history by claiming their first win in the Ryman League at Kingstonian.
Bank Holiday Monday saw them secure their first points in Division 1 South in unlikely fashion - winning 2-1 at the home of one non league football's big names.
Steve Davies made his first start after returning to the club and gave YM the lead but Tony Reid levelled.
Martyn Lee was sent off midway through the second half and YM took advantage with James Bird coming off the subs bench to hit the winner with eight minutes to go.
Manager John Suter said: "It's excellent, settling to get your first points.
"It has been hard work, effort and commitment. We haven't adjusted to the higher standard of football - the better fitness, better players, faster football.
"But we lack for nothing in the hard work department and we gained our reward for that on Monday," he added.
Kingstonian started the better side and James Rose wasted two early chances, heading straight at the keeper from a Reid cross and going close after a long throw from Richard Taylor.
Against the run of play YM opened the scoring in the sixth minute, Davies charged down a clearance from the keeper, Luke Garrard, was first to the loose ball and tucked it home - a reward for perseverance.
The equaliser deservedly came in the 18th minute when Taylor propelled another massive throw which was not dealt with and Reid blasted it home.
The visitors finally woke up and Matt Russell's shot was blocked before Scott Kirkwood's effort was well saved.
Dean Garden, back from suspension, crossed to Dave Gellatly who headed down for Davies but Garrard blocked it from close range.
The striker then beat two defenders but after a good run could not get any power in his shot.
"Steve Davis and Matt Russell looked very dangerous," said Suter.
After the interval Lee was inches away from the top corner with a free-kick before he was given his marching orders for a thigh high tackle on Garden.
Going down to ten men galvanised the hosts who tested Jason Dumbrill on a few occa-sions before the Gorings Mead outfit hit the winner.
Kirkwood delivered quality from a corner, Bird spun off and fired home in the 82nd minute.
"Then they really threw the kitchen sink at us," remarked Suter.
Dumbrill saved at full length and Nick Levett, just back from injury, cleared off the line but YM held on.
The boss commented: "In every game now there is something to learn, we will adapt to it."
YM (4-4-2): Dumbrill; Garden, Woodburn, Hooper, Levett; Keehan (Grant 45), White, Gellatly (Bird 70), Kirkwood; Russell, Davies.
