Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Horsham YMCA 2Ottley 20 A Russell 26 |  Walton & Hersham 1Thompson 78 |
| Source: West Sussex County Times |
A FANTASTIC effort from Horsham YMCA saw them end a long winless streak by triumphing 2-1 over Walton & Hersham.
Having gone ten games without a victory in the league, the delight and relief was there for all to see on Tuesday evening when the final whistle went.
John Suter's men were superb and inflicted only the second defeat of the season on their high flying visitors.
It was a new little and large strikeforce that did the damage for YM - one which has the potential to fire them up the table having lifted them off the bottom.
Andy Ottley - who has played the majority of games at full-back - opened the scoring for YM with a peach of a goal in the 20th minute.
Six minutes later their advantage was doubled when Ali Russell, playing his first game for the club since helping them to the County League title, finished with aplomb.
It wasn't until the second half that Walton started playing and substitute Richard Thompson netted with 12 minutes to go but the hosts bravely hung on.
Debutant goalkeeper, Chris Winterton - who is on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion - impressed, as did the whole team with Matt Simpson and James Grant running themselves into the ground and Matt Russell imperious at the back.
A delighted Suter commented: "It's difficult to explain what that three points meant. People don't see all the hard work and effort that goes into it in training and to put a team out on the park that wins a game.
"It's born of hard work and commitment," he stated.
"They've played one of the best teams in the league who have only lost one game, I think we deserved it but they are a super football side and knock it around well."
YM started positively, finding the target twice in quick succession midway through the first half. Ali Russell knocked the ball on for Ottley who cleverly lifted the ball over the defender before smashing into the far corner.
Winterton made a brave block at the feet of Dan Nwanze before it was 2-0.
Simpson's shot deflected into the path of Ali Russell and he clinically finished with his right foot.
YM were playing with confidence, Russell cut the ball back for Joe Keehan who scuffed his shot wide.
Walton cranked up the pressure ten minutes into the second half as the hosts struggled to get hold of the ball.
Winterton saved well from Nwanze and Mark Peters and courageous blocks were made by the defence as the red tide relentlessly poured forward as the half wore on.
Phil Ruggles was a big threat as was Thompson, who came off the bench and the parr combined to halve the deficit in the 78th minute.
Ruggles broke the offside trap and squared for Thompson to side foot under Winterton - cue more pressure.
Matt Russell did brilliantly to scramble an effort off the line from Ruggles and Glenn Boosey headed over from close range.
But YM nearly settled the nerves as they broke but Gary Bidwell rifled against the foot of the post.
Horsham YMCA:(4-4-2): Winterton; Garden, White, M Russell, Keaney; Grant, Simpson, Keehan, Ifill (Bidwell 53); Ottley (Flack 90), A Russell (Palmer 83).
Man of the Match: Matt Simpson - typified YM's fantastic work ethic. Magic moment: John Suter celebrating at the end.