Match Report
Ryman league: Division One South
 Whitsatable Town 2 Pulman 8, 26 |  Horsham YMCA 0 |
| Source: Patrick Corlett, West Sussex County Times |
THINGS do not go your way when you are near the bottom, and it was evident for Horsham YMCA as they lost 2-0 at Whitstable Town.
Wasteful finishing and poor defending cost John Suter's men as they suffered another defeat in a six pointer on Saturday.
A first half brace from lan Pulman was enough to secure a valuable victory for Whitstable, but the visitors spurned some gilt-edged chances with Matt Russell and Matt Simpson particularly culpable.
"It is difficult for everyone at the moment," commented Suter. "Difficult for the lads, difficult for the management.
"With the chances we created we could have got a draw, and on a better day won it, but until we can stick the ball in the back of the net the best you can hope for is 0-0."
YM started well with debutant Ben Fillery whipping in a dangerous corner that Glen Woodburn was just unable to get anything on but they soon went behind which knocked their confidence.
In the eighth minute, Simpson played Martyn Flack into trouble, his clearance ricocheted up into the air and David Cory read the bounce better, got in behind and squared the ball for Pulman to tap home.
Tommy Martin then got away from Flack and rolled the ball into Cory who flicked the ball up and hit an acrobatic volley from 15 yards that clipped the top of the bar.
Danny Tipple shot straight at Winterton before YM got back into it with Andy Ottley denied by Kevin Fewell. From his kick, Flack's header fell to Pulman and he curled a beauty into the bottom corner to leave Chris Winterton with no chance.
Within seconds of the score nearly being 1-1, the visitors were two down.
Minutes later and Russell somehow failed to halve the deficit. He laid the ball off for Ottley to cross to the far post where an unmarked Russell managed to guide his header back across goal into the arms of the grateful keeper from close range.
Russell went through again but blasted straight at Fewell and Ottley should have done better when he dragged his shot across goal but too far in front of Fillery.
Chances continued to come and go with the impressive Tom White volleying inches over and on the stroke of half time, he won a tackle in the opposing box and teed up Simpson who hit it low and hard but into Fewell 's/arms.
After the break the lively Pulman fired wide with his hat-trick beckoning and Tipple was also off target when well placed.
A fantastic save from Fewell denied YM again, Ottley's cross was met by Simpson but the keeper flung himself to his left to turn it round the post.
From the corner, Simpson flicked on to Russell to stoop and nod into the side netting.
It was not going to be YM's day when that didn't go in despite substitute Richard Greenfield giving the full back a torrid time with his pace, so much so that he was replaced.
Throwing. men forward, the visitors were vulnerable on the break and only a fine saving challenge from Woodburn prevented a certain goal for Cory.
Winterton thwarted Pulman with a stunning save and there was still time for YM to miss two clear cut chances from Ottley and Fillery.
Suter remarked: "It's very, very disappointing, we thought we could go there and get something."
Man of the Match: Tom White - controlled the midfield for large parts of the game. br>
Magic Moment: The nice link up between Matt Russell and Andy Ottley which created an excellent opening for the former.
Teams:
Horsham YMCA: Winterton; Garden, Flack (Palmer 83), Woodburn, Keaney; Duffield . (Greenfield 63), White, Simpson, Fillery; Ottley, Russell.
