Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Horsham YMCA 2 Kirkwood 34 Duffield 86 |
 Cray Wanderers 4 Whelan 50 Abbott 55 Curnow 74 Woods 75 |
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Source: Allan Norbury, West Sussex County Times |
THE CURSE of the manager of month award haunted John Suter as the Horsham YMCA manager saw his side's six game unbeaten run come to a shuddering halt on Saturday.
Suter was handed the manager of the month award and Dean Ruddy the golden gloves award for December before the match - and the sight of their opponents collecting their gongs just prior to kick off must have fired up the Cray side.
And despite trailing 1-0 at half time, the visitors swept YM aside with a devastating four goal blast to win 4-2.
Suter fumed afterwards at YM's complacency at half time.
He said: "Historically when a team wins team or manager of the month they lose, but that didn't have anything to do with it.
"The reason we lost was because at half time we thought the game would follow the same pattern as the first half.
"I felt that we were lulled into a false sense of security. All of us at half time believed we would go on to win and we went out expecting that to happen.
"I think it was a wake up call - we have not needed one so far this season.
"People have to realise we have got to go hammer and tongs in every game."
Although the home side had the better of the opening exchanges, they were dealt a severe blow on six minutes when Matt Russell limped off the pitch for treatment after a collision with Wands stopper Steve Northwood.
Russell faces a week out after having the wound glued and stitched. Replacement Steve Davies stepped into action and threw himself about impressively enough though.
But it was at the other end where the first real chance of the game came. Veteran former Barnet man Gary Abbott peeled away from Glen Woodburn at the far post and chested down Colin Luckett's cross before smashing a volley goalwards which Ruddy did well to palm over.
Pat Massaro's movement was impressive as YM brimmed with the confidence of a team in form, but they had to be careful not to over commit.
Just as it looked as if the visitors had found their feet, Kirkwood scored a peach in the 34th minute.
Davies flicked a long ball on to Massaro, who took up his favoured left sided position before crossing deep for Matt Duffield, his pull back was met by Kirkwood at full steam.
A half time reshuffle from the Wands resulted in a different side taking to the pitch.
The visitors' enterprise at the start of the half was duly rewarded when substitute Jamie Wood's shot was deflected over. Davies could only get studs on the ball as he attempted to clear the resulting corner and Whelan lashed home from 18 yards.
Five minutes later, the turnaround was complete. As he had done in the first half, Abbott peeled away from Woodburn at the far post and planted a header beyond Ruddy to convert David Hall's cross and YM were rocking.
When Ruddy tipped over a Woods drive, a third goal was looming.
From the ensuing corner, Woods' mis-kick flicked up to Curnow who had time inside the box to swivel and fire home.
The pain was to continue as Woodburn, who had taken a nasty kick on the thigh off the ball, came off. YM were poorly balanced with at least three players out of position, and Cray grabbed their chance of a fourth when Woods scrambled home a goal in a sea of tangerine shirts.
Duffield poked home a consolation in the 86th minute when Massaro returned a shot which hit the post.
Suter commented: "We had injury problems, but that doesn't excuse the first 30 minutes of the second half.
"We were not a balanced side towards the end, but that is not the reason for the result."
Man of the Match:Dean Ruddy - some superb saves.
Magc Moment:Pat Massaro's movement for YM's opener was a joy to watch.
YM (4-4-2): ): Ruddy; Garden, Woodburn (Handcock 75), Sackman, Fitzgerald (Greenfield 55); Duffield, Kirkwood, White, Levett; Russell (Davies 12), Massaro.