Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Horsham YMCA 0 |  Cray Wanderers 4Kempster 40 Power 69 Willy 74, 80 |
 Source: Allan Norbury, West Sussex County Times |
THE DWINDLING resources at John Suter's disposal have been laid bare at times this season, none more so brutally than on Saturday in a 4-0 home loss to a solid, if unspectacular Cray Wanderers.
Following the 3-1 defeat to Canvey Island in the FA Trophy, Suter said he felt YM had turned the corner, but that looked to be a dead end as Cray scored three second half goals to kill this game.
Due to injuries, absentees and the shrinking squad, YM included seven players who had featured in a reserve game at Walton Casuals last month.
The lack of Ryman League experience and a general slump in confidence was evident as the hosts only managed two shots on target in the match.
Suter said: "We were lucky to get away with just four.
"We certainly were not good enough on Saturday to beat a Cray side who were stronger, bigger and louder than us, and who played football which was effective for them.
"What we want to do is bring in the reserve players one or two at a time, and play them alongside people with Ryman experience, not all in one go - that is a big factor."
The returning Tom White was moved into a back three to add some experience alongside rookie pairing Martyn Flack and Scott Bidwell.
And in the opening exchanges, Matt Duffield, operating as right wing back, almost made the formation pay off when his cross just evaded Richard Greenfield's head.
But unfortunately for the hosts, Cray applied a lot of pressure in the first half. Michael Power twice missed opportunities and Ken Westoby eventually ended a goalmouth scramble when he fell on Mark Willy's shot.
Goalmouth scrambles were a feature of the first period - Andy Ottley saw a shot well saved and Westoby made a good reaction stop when Power diverted an effort goalwards.
Cray had the more efforts, and kept coming at YM, Westoby acrobatically kept out Power's stinging drive, while Flack and White were involved in some desperate defending.
YM needed an outlet, but with Cray centre back Ryan Royston in imperious form to dominate Matt Russell in the air, the ball just came straight back.
And there was no doubt the goal was coming when it arrived shortly before half time. Colin Luckett's well delivered corner was only half cleared to Julian Curnow who smashed it back into the danger area for Jamie Kempster to poke home.
Cray served up more of the same after the break, Royston rattled the bar and Westoby held on when George Fenwick was afforded space to shoot.
A hint of frustration crept into the visitors' game though with only the one goal to show for their dominance.
YM could have capitalised as Cray passes went astray and 50/50 tackles started to go their way. Seb Kazemi did well to emerge from a midfield tussle to find Greenfield who raced towards the Cray box only to find the side netting.
It was an encouraging sign, but their hopes were to be dashed on 69 minutes when Power rose to plant a header between Westoby and the near post.
Five minutes later, Willy made it three, bulleting his header into the roof of the net from yet another quality Luckett delivery.
With the game falling apart around them, YM then conceded a soft fourth, Willy was allowed to sneak in unmarked at the far post to score another header.
A deflated YM did manage one more sortie forward before the final whistle -Ottley's angled ball found James Grant, but the substitute's shot went straight at Glen Knight.
Suter's options have become even more limited this week with the departures of Steve Davies and Dan Taylor, who has gone to Shoreham.
YM (4-4-2): ): Westoby; Bidwell, White, Flack; Duffield (Garden 71), Kazemi, Keehan, Ottley, Keaney; Greenfield (Grant 74), Russell (Gainet 72).
Man of the match: : Tom White - worked his socks off for the cause.
Magic moment: The final whistle, which gave the hosts some much needed respite.