Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Leatherhead 2 Marshall 6 Forrester 44 |  Horsham YMCA 1 Jupp 45(+2) |
 Source: Patrick Corlett, West Sussex County Times |
HorshamYMCA suffered their fifthdefeat in six games as they went down 2-1 at Leatherhead.
John Suter's men seem to suffering from second season syndrome but they came close to nicking a point, hitting the woodwork late on.
The hosts took an early lead through Billy Marshall who was released by Bristol City - which was doubled a minute before the break by Scott Forrester.
However, that was halved in first half stoppage time by Adam Jupp's firsL senior trike for YM.
Apart from the goals, the first half was devoid of action as the Tanners' strikers kept running offside and YM offered very little.
However, the second half opened up a bit more despite there being no goals and it was the visitors that came closest when Joe Keehan struck the post in the dying minutes with the keeper beaten but it was not to be for YM.
"We lack cutting edge, that's the be all and end all," said Suter. "We haven't got anybody that harms defences.
"I thought we were a bit unlucky with the first goal, it could have been offside, it was harsh to lose a goal like that early on.
"For the second goal, we hadn't regrouped properly after Tom Carter going off injured."
Leatherhead's opener had a hint of offside about it as Marshall got clear of the YM defence and lifted it over the on rushing Chris May.
Just after that had gone in a photographer wearing a similar top to that of the YM players was asked to move by the linesman because it could confuse matters as the official looked across the line.
It took the visitors 20 minutes to muster up their first effort when Matt Percival cut inside and teed up Andy Ottley who didn't get enough power in his shot to trouble Paul McCarthy.
In the final few minutes of the half the game sparked in to life. In the 44th minute Marshall beat Dean Garden and cut the ball back for Forrester to side foot home.
Then three minutes later, Jupp gave YM hope. Glen Woodburn strode out of defence and found Jupp who played it out wide to Ottley and his cross was nodded back across goal by Keehan for Jupp to finish.
"To get a goal just before half time was a boost and it's encouraging that he [Jupp] has got his first senior goal," added Suter.
At the beginning of the second half Ottley bent a free-kick wide of the upright and the Tanners countered, Scott Bennetts skipped past a challenge and found Marshall who fed Forrester but he shot inches wide.
A stinging drive from Forrester was excellently saved by May before the forward flashed another effort wide.
Tom White made crucial interventions at the back for YM and Ottley gave them hope with quality delivery from set pieces but the Leatherhead defence stood firm.
A driven in corner went over McCarthy but with White and Jupp going in it was headed over and at the other end a half volley from Forrester was well turned round the post by May.
With four minutes left, Ottley's free-kick was knocked down by White into the path of Keehan but his half-volley came agonis¬ingly back off the post.
YM threw everything at their hosts in injury time, including May who came forward for a corner, but Leatherheld held on.
YM (4-4-2): ): May; Garden, Carter (Duffield 41), Woodburn, Keaney; Percival, White, Keehan, Ottley; Jupp, Davies (Nayee 61).
Man of the match: Andy Ottley - gave YM a creative spark.
Magic moment: When Adam Jupp netted his first senior goal for YM, finishing off a fine move.