Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Hastings United 2Adams 46, Ellis 57 |
 Horsham YMCA 2Russell 86 Mills 90 |
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Source: Allan Norbury, West Sussex County Times |
A WHIRLWIND final five minutes saw Horsham YMCA snatch an unlikely point at Hastings United on Tuesday evening.
Trailing by two second half strikes, YM found the back of the net twice through substitute Matt Russell and Rob Mills in the dying moments to somehow come away with the draw.
"That was our get out of jail card," commented YM manager John Suter.
YM should have been dead and buried as they came under a second half barrage, inspired by former midfielder Russell Edlridge, but a mixture of vital saves from Jason Dumbrill and wasteful finishing allowed Suter's men a way back in.
The boss said: "Hastings were much the better side.
"They played better than us, they played more football, but we worked very hard, got stuck in and did the best we could. The fact we were still in it with five minutes to go was Hastings' fault - Jason pulled off some excellent saves and they had some great chances."
The game's opening was messy with neither side able to create a foothold, but Ellis Hooper lit up the dark night in the 12th minute with an acrobatic overhead kick which rattled Will Toal's crossbar.
Richard Greenfield and Steve Davis were running themselves ragged up front, but the Hastings penalty area was uncharted territory for much of the first period.
Hastings had a helping hand as the half wore on, Hooper gave away a free kick in a dangerous area after misjudging a high ball, and Mo Shuga'a was caught out trying to turn on the edge of the box.
Sam Adams poked a shot safely into Dumbrill's arms as Hastings pressed for a goal to finish the half.
They didn't have to wait long after half time for the opener however, Adams gave chase to a hopeful punt, and when Dean Carden looked in charge of the situation, he stubbed his toe into the ground and slipped as the striker barged past. Adams burst into the box and slammed home a fierce shot at the near post.
Suter knew he had to mix things up and brought Scott Kirkwood in from the left flank to influence the game in the middle.
But the manager's changes had little effect as minutes later United went into a two goal lead. Edlridge hustled Ross Shoefield out of possession and Dumbrill turned the shot over the bar. From the resulting corner Danny Ellis lashed the ball in after Dumbrill dropped the cross in the congested area.
Dumbrill was forced into another fine save as Hastings exposed YM's soft centre and Adams missed two golden chances to put the game to bed before YM hit back.
On 86 minutes Hooper hooked a clearance forward and Toal collided with Davis as he attempted to punch, both fell to the ground and Russell nipped in to side foot home.
With four minutes remaining Hastings lost their composure and YM finally were on top.
The decisive second goal came from a deep Peter Brackley free kick, Mills crept round to the far pos and powered his header in.
Suter said: "It's not abou how many shots you have it's all about how many yoi score and we scored the sam< as them.
"Although I know tha only being on top of a lean for five minutes is not gooc enough."
Man of the match: Jason Dumbrill - not a superb show from the keeper but made some important saves when it mattered most.
Magic moment: Ellis Hooper's overhead kick from 15 yards which thudded into the woodwork.
YM (4-4-2): Dumbrill; Carden, Mills, Hooper, Shuga'a; Kirkwood, Grant, White, Shoefield (Russell 71); Greenfield (Brackley 51), Davis..