Match Report
Brighton Charity Cup: First Round
 Lancing 1 Meredith 40 |
 Horsham YMCA 3 Massaro 18, 81 Shoefield 37 |
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Source: Patrick Corlett, West Sussex County Times |
MISSION accomplished by Horsham YMCA on Tuesday evening as some different players were looked at whilst they saw off Lancing 3-1 in the Brighton Charity Cup.
YM won the first round rearranged clash in even worse conditions than when the original game was postponed, but they did it with some sparkling goals.
Pat Massaro and Ross Shoefield scored in the first half before County League style defending allowed the hosts to pull one back but the result was never in doubt and another stunner from Massaro gave the scoreline a fairer reflection.
Apart from the lively Massaro, who had too much class for the County League Division 2 strugglers to cope with, Eddie Achoko impressed in the middle with Shoefield and substitute James Hancock having good games.
Manager John Suter said: "It was job done in the end.
"The objective was to go down there and have a look at a few players, get some football and win the game - which we did.
"I feel sorry for Lancing's pitch.
"There were no negatives -no injuries and no bookings."
YM started positively, getting balls into the box but they were not finding the intended targets, Dan Taylor was inches away from connecting with a Richard Greenfield cross who was troubling the Lancing defence with his pace.
From the first real chance in the game, YM opened the scoring, Achoko skipped past his man and slid it through to Massaro who jinked inside and fired his shot into the bottom corner in the 18th minute for a very well taken goal.
Young Ken Westoby had his first test minutes later when John Cairns struck a shot with the outside of his foot and the ball nearly squirmed underneath the keeper but he did well to gather it in the end.
Phil Fitzgerald released Taylor down the left and his centre was met by Greenfield who smashed it wide when well placed as YM were dominant.
Shoefield and Dean Garden both tested Richard Whittington from distance.
On the half hour mark Garden whipped in a great cross that Massaro did not connect properly with but still wrong footed Whittington, however the ball got stuck in the mud and the keeper was able to adjust and pounce on it.
Gary Strevens sliced a shot wide after Tom Carter failed to deal with a long ball on a rare Lancing sortie forward.
Greenfield then went down in the box under a heavy tackle, credit to him, he got back to his feet quickly but couldn't pick out Massaro or Taylor who were in great positions.
The second was deservedly scored when Greenfield galloped away, was tackled when he should have found a team mate but the loose ball was smashed home by Shoefield from the edge of the box.
It should have been three when Massaro tricked his way past a couple of defenders and picked out the unmarked Taylor who should have scored but the ball went harmlessly across goal.
The conditions were a definite leveller and despite having been outplayed, Lancing were suddenly back in the game five minutes before the break.
Ellis Hooper and Carter got in each others way and neither managed to cut out a through ball, Dan Meredith then fortunately bundled his way past Carden and coolly slotted the ball under Westoby.
The hosts came out after the interval and enjoyed a brief spell of pressure that came to nothing with Carden and Achoko firing off target from long range at the other end.
YM should have scored more in the first half as they were reduced to half chances in the second when Hancock headed a Shoefield cross wide.
Tom White was assured and Achoko commanding in the middle with Hooper untroubled at the back and it looked as if it was just a case of how many YM would score.
Achoko powered a header off the bar but with ten minutes to go quick feet from Massaro made space in the box and he delightfully chipped in the third.
Man of the Match:Tom White-still looked comfortable and oozed class on the ball despite the conditions.
Magc Moment:The first goal was well created by Achoko and emphatically finished by Massaro.
YM (4-4-2): ): Westoby; Carden, Hooper, Carter, Fitzgerald (Bidwell 76); Taylor (Hancock 45), White, Achoko, Shoefield; Greenfield (Grant 62), Massaro.
