Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Horsham YMCA 3 M.Russell 32 D.Carden (pen) 45, 90 |
 Godalming Town 1Newman 72 |
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| Source:West Sussex County Times |
A TARGET of 25 points by Christmas is as high as Horsham YMCA have dared to aim this season, and after Saturday's 3-1 win they are inching closer to that figure.
The defeat of Godalming Town at the weekend took John Suter's side to 21 points in their debut Ryman League season, and saw an enthralling end to end battle between two sides in the bottom half.
Penalty king Dean Garden converted a spot kick in each half, on top of Matt Russell's first half strike, to guarantee the points, but YM were given plenty of scares by a lively Godalming outfit.
"We had a target of around 25 points for Christmas, a couple more results and we are there," commented Suter.
"We rode our luck in the second half on Saturday when it became scrappy. It was not quite as comfortable as it might have been, but we have got to be pleased with the points. I know it could have gone the other way."
After a docile opening, YM had the first shot in anger when Andy Ottley pounced on the Godalming keeper's poor throw but aimed a tame chip straight back at the stopper.
As the match warmed up on a soggy pitch both sides had good opportunities, Godalming's Shaun Lydon blasted a 20 yard shot wide and Matt Duffield hit the side netting from Richard Greenfield's ball before Andy Ottley missed another chance when teed up by Russell. Despite those chances,
Godalming had the best opportunity to open the scoring, Liam Grier was put through one-on-one with Dean Ruddy who stood tall until the last possible moment and made a fine save with his legs.
The dangerous Danny Newman then had the pick of the opportunities, somehow missing the target from six yards.
"That was a real let off for us," remarked Suter.
And YM took full advantage in the 32nd minute with a sumptuous example of possession football. Tom White, Russell, Andy Ottley, Duffield and Greenfield were involved in the build up which fed Scott Kirkwood, who in turn found Greenfield to tee up Russell who cut inside and drilled a shot home.
Suter added: "It was a good goal especially as we .were able to keep possession around their box."
The first of Garden's penalties followed 13 minutes later on the stroke of half time after Greenfield was pulled back by James Marriner as he broke through.
Relieved to be 2-0 ahead at the break, YM thought they had killed the game off when Russell poked home Andy Ottley's cross, but the goal was harshly ruled out for offside.
A scrappy period of play followed and Godalming assumed the upper hand. Newman tested Ruddy from close range and the keeper did well to tip the shot on to the bar.
The away pressure told on 72 minutes when the otherwise impressive Ellis Hooper gave the ball away in the centre circle, Newman raced; away into the box and picked' his spot for an easy goal.
Newman was in the thick of the action now and blasted over after skipping past Hooper and drilled in a low cross which evaded everyone.
Lydon fired over and rocking in the face of constant pressure, YM needed an escape route. Substitute Steve Davies provided it in injury time, darting inside the box before he was tripped by Chris Boulter. Garden netted the penalty and the points were safe.
YM (4-4-2): Ruddy; Garden, Woodburn, Hooper, Fitzgerald (Levett 67); Duffield, White, Kirkwood (M Ottley 76), A Ottley; Russell (Davies 76), Greenfield.