Match Report
Westview League Cup
 Worthing Knee 19 Andrews 28 Newman 87 |
 Horsham YMCA 1Carden 11(pen) Greenfield 15 |
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Source: Patrick Corlett, West Sussex County Times |
A LAST gasp goal sent Horsham YMCA crashing out of the Westview League Cup on Tuesday evening with a 3-2 defeat at Worthing.
The hosts are struggling at the bottom of the Ryman Premier League and you could see why as YM raced into a two goal lead after 15 minutes.
Dean Garden despatched a penalty and Richard Greenfield doubled their advantage as the Rebels were on the ropes.
Cracking strikes from Mark Knee and Ben Andrews drew them level before the break.
The two sides did not look a league apart, however a long punt from the Worthing keeper only needed one touch from Lee Newman to win the game in the 87th minute.
Manager John Suter commented: "It was probably a very good game if you are a neutral.
"It's disappointing to lose it in the manner we lost it, when you think of all the good football that has been played by both sides, to lose it to a big punt by the goalkeeper, one more touch and it's a goal."
However he was positive about the game: "We played some good football tonight, apart from their purple patch when they scored their first goal up to nearly half time we were their equal.
"It was a terrific end-to-end game.
"There were an awful lot of positives, we are getting sharper, getting quicker, moving the ball around better, we looked to have a better shape - hopefully we are getting used to the Ryman League.
"They were a good side but vulnerable at the back, and it showed in the first 20 minutes, but very sharp up front.
"Lee Newman looked very sharp all evening and scored."
Worthing looked shaky from the start as the visitors created two half chances with Scott Kirkwood's header saved by Rikki Banks and Dave Gellatly nodded into the side netting.
It was not long before the goal arrived, Greenfield's shirt was blatantly tugged inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot.
As usual, Garden was coolness personified, burying the spot kick in the bottom left corner.
YM exploited the gaps behind the wing-backs and a Garden crossfield ball found Steve Davis who danced round Stewart Axten before finding Greenfield to side foot home and Worthing were in disarray.
However Newman looked threatening at the other end and Jason Dumbrill blocked his shot at the near post but could do nothing about Worthing's first.
Rob Mills' clearing header droppped outside the area and Knee lashed it back in with his left foot in the 19th minute.
Nine minutes later Worthing were level when a corner went through to the far post where an unstoppable drive from Andrews flew in.
YM could have folded at this point but they stood firm and created chances of their own before half time.
Ross Shoefield found an unmarked Gellatly at the far post but his touch let him down and the dangerous Davis fired a golden opportunity over from six yards.
Worthing still looked there for the taking in the second half and Davis skipped past his marker and squared the ball that only needed a touch which could not be provided by Greenfield or Gellatly.
The hosts still looked a menace at the other end, Byron Harrison should have done better when he headed over from a fantastic corner by Lewis Cook.
They then had a goal controversially ruled out.
Cook's cross found Newman whose initial shot was brilliantly saved by Dumbrill but the striker turned the rebound in only for the linesman to point out a foul off the ball to the displeasure of the home fans.
The Ryman Division 1 South side appeared to be tiring and maybe settling for extra time as substitute Jemal Carr spurned two great chances.
Disaster struck with three minutes to go, Gellatly's shot was saved by Banks, his big kick eluded Mills, and the YM defence was turned.
Newman raced clear and dinked it past the on rushing Dumbrill.
There was still time for YM to go close when Banks tipped a Gellatly drive over and they had opportunities from set pieces which they couldn't make count.
Suter said: "If we can transmit that to league performances it is encouraging, I thought we came out of the game with a lot of credit but like last year when we did well, we still lost and that's disappointing."
Man of the match: Steve Davis - caused a Ryman Premier defence a lot of problems.
Magic moment: A piece of trickery from Davis before coolly picking out Greenfield for the second.
YM (4-4-2): Dumbrill; Garden, Hooper, Mills, Shuga'a; Shoefield, White, Gellatly, Kirkwood; Davis, Greenfield.