Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South Cup
 Horsham YMCA 2 Davies 33 Garden (pen) 36 |
 Ashford Town 1 Matata 68 |
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| Source:West Sussex County Times |
A TWO goal first half lead was enough for Horsham YMCA to see off relegation candidates Ashford Town 2-1 on Tuesday night.
The impressive Steve Davies struck before Dean Garden fired home a penalty when Graham Porter was sent off for tripping Davies. But the plucky ten men of Ashford staged a second half fightback which saw Walid Matata and George Fenwick combine to bundle the ball over the line. YM broke the 50 point barrier for the season thanks to the win, to the delight of manager John Suter.
"It looks like we really had to work hard for it," he said.
"But in the end it was quite comfortable.
"A total of 50 points was our ambitious target, and now we are on 51 with eight games to go, it is amazing."
In a furious opening, Ashford belied their lowly position in the Ryman Division 1 South table by going straight for YM's throat, the visitors were sharp and eager with more to play for. YM struggled to adapt to the early threat, and after just 30 seconds Matata almost burst through following Ryan Andrews' penetrative run.
Ellis Hooper was booked for a particularly cynical foul in the opening exchanges and Suter's men were rocking,
They saw off the early firestorm and just after the half hour they were in front, Davies played a quick pass into strike partner Pat Massaro and picked up a delightful return ball inside the box. He took a touch to get the ball out of his feet and popped a good finish over Jake Whincup.
Proving a real nuisance of himself, Davies was instrumental in the second goal three minutes later. He took advantage of confusion inside the area and nipped the ball off Porter's toes - the centre back promptly clipped the YM man's ankle, receiving a straight red card for his troubles.
Garden made no mistake from the spot, and now YM were in control.
With Ashford desperate in their battle against the drop they went at then" hosts more stretching the play across the length of the pitch in the second half. They scored when Fenwick held the ball up well from a throw in, and alongside Matata conspired to bulldoze their way through the YM defence and force the ball over the line.
Despite late pressure, which saw Glen Woodburn and Tom White at their best, Ashford couldn't force a leveller.
Man of the Match: Steve Davies - bullied the Ashford defence into submission.
Magic moment: Massaro's well weighted pass for the opener.
YM (4-4-2): Ruddy; Carden, Woodburn, Hooper, Lovegrove; Greenfield (Jupp 75), Kirkwood, White, Levett; Davies, Massaro