Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Horsham YMCA 3A Russell 31, 72 Simpson 61 (pen) |  Chatham Town 3Constable 13 Smith 51 (pen), 67 |
| Source: West Sussex County Times |
GREAT character was shown by Horsham YMCA as they came from behind three times to earn a point at home to Chatham Town on Tuesday evening.
Although manager John Suter was less than pleased with the way his side gave away the goals.
Defending was at a premium as you might expect with a 3-3 scoreline and missed chances galore.
Andy Constable was given all the time in the world to turn inside the YM box and fire into the top corner before Ali Russell headed the hosts level.
After the break Dean Garden fouled Constable in the area and was lucky to just receive a yellow for his reaction and Darren Smith buried the penalty but Matt Simpson equalised from the spot.
Simpson missed a golden opportunity to put Suter's men in front for the first time then minutes later the YM defence parted like the Red Sea and Smith strode through to score.
However, the Gorings Mead side would not lie down and Ali Russell produced a fine, finish for a share of the spoils.
Suter commented: "I think it was two points dropped because we didn't turn possession into goalscoring chances.
"The turning point in the game was when Matt Simpson should have put us 3-2 up, it looked obvious to score, but a couple of minutes later they go 3-2 up.
"We've battled and we've worked hard but we don't have any luck, whether we deserve any luck I don't know. We don't do things right at the important times.
"It's very disappointing. We were always playing catch-up, we seem to give goals away."
YM should have gone in front when Ali Russell missed a great chance with his head and they were punished.
Both sides were in desperate need for the points in a relegation fight and it was the visitors who struck the first blow in the 13th minute. The ball fell for Constable and Tom White and Matt Russell backed off, allowing him time to pick his spot.
It was the first time in a while that the White/Russell pairing at the back looked vulnerable as YM defended poorly throughout.
But they equalised with a carbon copy of Ali Russell's earlier miss, except this time he met Alex Keaney's whipped in corner to head home at the near post in the 31st minute.
Both sides had efforts but you had to wait until the 51st minute for the next goal. Matt Russell should have left the ball but didn't, which resulted in Constable going through and being brought down by Garden. Captain
Smith smashed the penalty into the corner.
Ten minutes later Greg Palmer was pulled down in the box by Tom Davey. Carden had missed two penalties on Saturday so it was Simpson who took responsibility and sent the keeper the wrong way.
Andy Ottley put on the afterburners to get away from his man and showed composure to set up Simpson but he inexplicably put it wide.
It was a double blow as moments later Keaney lost the ball and there was a huge gap in the middle for Smith to exploit and he gave Chris Winterton no chance.
Joe Keehan did well to win the ball and delivered a fine cross that Ali Russell brought down expertly before poking the ball past John Whitehouse for a third equaliser in the 72nd minute.
Man of the Match: Ali Russell - took his goals well, especially his second which was a bit special.
Magic moment: The fantastic run by Andy Ottley to put it on a plate for Matt Simpson - who missed.
Horsham YMCA: Winterton; Carden, White, M Russell, Keaney; Ottley, Simpson,Keehan, Grant; Palmer (Greenfield 67); A Russell.