Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Metropolitain Police 1 Gray 63 |
 Horsham YMCA 1 Kirkwood 84 |
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Source: Patrick Corlett, West Sussex County Times |
A LATE goal by Scott Kirkwood earned Horsham YMCA a share of the spoils at Metropolitan Police on Saturday in a 1-1 draw.
The midfielder levelled with six minutes to go after Ryan Gray had put the hosts in front and it was no more than YM deserved in an intriguing encounter.
Both sides were evenly matched but just before the Blues opened the scoring in the 63rd minute Pat Massaro hit the bar and Dan Sackman could have scored, however they got their just rewards.
"It was a good point gained and a fair result," said manager John Suter.
"Both sides could have won it and both sides could have lost it.
"In the end to come away from home against a good footballing side, with good individuals, I am satisfied," he added.
YM started well as Glen Woodburn was close to converting a corner at the far post but in the sixth minute the Met Police should have been in front.
Jon Daly beat his man, picked out Barry Stevens in the middle but somehow he fired over from inside the six yard box.
Massaro's header was deflected just wide from a good cross by Matt Duffield who was getting a lot of joy down the right.
Matt Russell flicked the resulting corner on to Duffield but his control let him down and former Horsham stopper Will Packham smothered the ball.
Minutes later Kirkwood did well to keep the ball before sliding it through to Sackman but he was brilliantly tackled by Carl Hutchings just as he was pulling the trigger.
More chances came for YM as Duffield lashed a half chance high and wide and Massaro spooned a good opportunity over after a crunching tackle by Dean Garden had regained possession.
Garden was then in action at the other end, hooking a corner off the line.
Five minutes before the break Massaro got in down the channel and cut the ballback for Garden to hit but Packham made a good save, diving to his right.
YM had the better of the first half but the hosts came out strongly after the interval with the lively Tony Finn a threat, exerting pressure that Woodburn and Ellis Hooper stood up to.
However, in the 58th minute, the visitors spurned a golden opportunity.
Kirkwood's deep cross found Russell, who nodded into the path of Sackman but the keeper made a fine save from close range.
Another chance went begging when Hooper's pass dropped over the full back perfectly for Richard Greenfield and he whipped it in for Massaro to head on to the bar.
The Gorings Mead outfit were punished two minutes later when Hooper's headed clearance fell to lan Batten, YM still had enough bodies in the box to deal with it but Gray smashed the ball home.
Substitute Adolf Amoako nearly wrapped up the points when the ball fell kindly to him eight yards out but Hooper made a superb block challenge.
This kept YM in the hunt and they equalised in the 84th minute, Russell beautifully cushioned the ball into the path of Kirkwood who finished clinically in the bottom corner.
The visitors came close to an injury time winner but after Greenfield's dangerous run, neither he nor Massaro could apply the finish in a crowded box.
"We kept at it and it's nice to get a reward out of it," remarked Suter.
Man of the Match:Ellis Hooper - outstanding at the back apart from one misplaced header for the goal.
Magc Moment:A brave block challenge by Hooper with ten minutes to go to keep YM in it.
YM (4-4-2): ): Ruddy; Garden, Hooper, Woodburn, Levett; Duffield (Greenfield 45), White, Sackman, Kirkwood; Russell (Hancock 86), Massaro.