Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Fleet Town 1 Reid 77 |
 Horsham YMCA 0 |
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Source: Patrick Corlett, West Sussex County Times |
A DEFENSIVE error cost Horsham YMCA as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at promotion chasing Fleet Town on Tuesday evening.
The hosts were the better side in the first half and just when the visitors began to get into the game as an attacking force after the break, Dean Ruddy rushed from his goal line and was left stranded when Tony Reid poked home from close range.
The keeper had impressed up until then but his mix up with Dean Garden proved costly.
Manager John Suter commented: "They deserved to win it over the 90 minutes but it was such a battling performance from us in the second half.
"It was a dreadful goal to give away."
Fleet started the first half in the ascendancy and that's how it continued.
James Field forced Dean Ruddy into a good save from a free kick and at the other end Hooper's miss hit shot fell to Russell but his effort was brilliantly blocked for a corner by skipper Steve Noakes.
However it was the home side on top and Nathan Smart hit the post after being released by Adam Wallace.
Ruddy made several good stops, including one from a bullet header by Noakes.
Fleet lost no momentum after the break, Phil John was given time and space 25 yards out but fizzed his shot wide of the upright.
On the hour mark, Wallace nonchalantly flicked the ball through to Jermaine Hamilton but Ruddy saved brilliantly from point blank range.
YM then began to get into the game as Scott Kirkwood won the ball in midfield and sent Garden galloping away, his shot hit the post with the keeper, Paul Smith, allowing it past with either brilliant judgment or a stroke of good fortune.
Kirkwood produced a bit of magic to lift the ball over two defenders but he sliced the volley wide.
Substitute Richard Greenfield looked a threat when he came on and he fired a half chance across goal.
But then Ruddy's error of judgment in the 77th minute provided Fleet with the winner.
He rushed out and called for the ball belatedly so Garden could not get out of the way, it hit him on the back of the head and Eddie Smith latched on to the loose ball, he found Reid six yards out who made no mistake with the keeper in no man's land and the defenders on the line helpless.
Suter remarked: "It's a shame, but not the end of the world.
We have lost two games away from home to good sides in Maidstone and Fleet.
Man of the match: Ellis Hooper - made vital interceptions and crucial tackles to keep Fleet at bay.
Magic moment: Great save by Dean Ruddy to thwart Jermaine Hamilton.
YM (4-4-2): Ruddy; Garden, Hooper, Sackman, Levett (Fitzgerald 24); Duffield, White, Kirkwood, Goncalves (Grant 70); Russell, Davies (Greenfield 70).