Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Horsham YMCA 0 |
 Dover Athletic Hooper 58 |
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| Source:West Sussex County Times |
A DOGGED defensive display earned Horsham YMCA a battling draw with Dover Athletic.
Goalkeeper Dean Ruddy pulled off a string of stunning stops, but it was the whole backs-to-the-wall-effort which pleased YM manager John Suter as wave after wave of Dover attack threatened to overwhelm the home side.
"We were delighted with a point," commented Suter.
"We would not expect to get points against teams like Dover, they have one of the best records in the league."
YM started nervously as the visitors had the better of the opening exchanges, the home side possibly overawed by their slick visitors, who had the pre-match professionalism of a club at least two leagues higher.
On 17 minutes, the dangerous Chris Chase gave YM their first scare when his header forced Ruddy into a great diving save, the young keeper turned the ball round the post and the first warning signs were there.
Dover's Jon Wallis fired over the bar shortly after as the former Conference outfit kept the pressure on.
A few moments later, Ruddy was in action again when Wallis found space 12 yards out and hit the target -but Horsham YMCA were determined to hold on to their second clean sheet in four games.
Now YM have a settled side, it's allowing the likes of strike duo Matt Russell and Richard Greenfield to strike up a partnership, and the two almost combined with an effort against the run of play in the first half.
Russell picked up Greenfield's pass, but dwelt too long, and instead of going for goal unsuccessfully attempted to find his fellow striker with a return ball. Another chance fell to Russell in the first period, his header just missed the far post by inches.
And as YM grew in stature, the chances started to flow more freely. Scott Kirkwood's goalbound header from an
Andy Ottley corner was cleared off the line by James Rogers.
An end to end battle was now taking shape and Dover finished the half stronger - a high cross from Chase found Bradley Spice at the far post, he got the better of PhM Fitzgerald, but still could not beat Ruddy who pushed the shot away to safety.
Before the half was out, Dover found time for another opportunity, this time Lee Spiller's free kick evaded everyone and hit the far post.
"It was a let off," Suter said. "But we were still in it at half time."
YM had a great chance to be better than 'still in it' after the break when Tom White's ball allowed Greenfield to open his long stride and get behind the Dover defence, but when presented with a one-on-one chance, he blazed over the bar.
"We could have won it, but would not have deserved it," Suter added.
The terrific defensive effort was summed up in the second half when Dean Garden made a certain goal saving tackle. Dover's grip on the game grew tighter as the half wore on and YM tired. The immaculate John Keister made his only slip of the day when he blasted a shot over Ruddy's bar and the stopper made an instinctive save to keep Wallis' deflected shot out.
Suter remarked: "Dean Ruddy made some great saves but the whole back four were outstanding, Ellis Hooper and Glen Woodburn were terrific.
"Everyone defended and worked very hard to withstand the pressure.
"I felt we deserved the point for that."
The draw means YM have reached their New Year target of 25 points, and Suter is delighted at how his side have adapted to life in the new league.
"If someone had told me we would have 25 points from 19 games I would have had to laugh," Suter said.
"It is such a credit to how hard the players have worked alongside Tommy Sampson.
"There is no easy passage in this league, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels, as we haven't got any!"
YM (4-4-2): Ruddy; Carden, Hooper, Woodburn, Fitzgerald (Levett 75); Outfield, Kirkvyood, White, Ottley; Greenfield (Masarro 80), Russell.