Match Report
Ryman league: Division One South
 Horsham YMCA 0 |  Leatherhead 2 Barnard 39 Marshall 90 |
| Source: Patrick Corlett, West Sussex County Times |
JOHN Suter insists his Horsham YMCA side still have a chance to survive in the Ryman League, despite Saturday's desperate 2-0 home defeat to Leatherhead
YM looked short on ideas and inspiration as they toiled to cancel out Adam Barnard's first half opener, before Tanners sub Billy Marshall wrapped up the win when he pounced on an error by Chris Winterton in the last minute to complete a miserable afternoon for Suter.
Not only did YM lack bite going forward, Alex Keaney and Glen Woodburn collected injuries, Woodburn's could keep the centre back out for some time following a studs-up tackle by Leatherhead's Stewart Holmes.
"Just when you think things cannot get any worse, they do, it has got worse," Suter commented.
"It comes to haunt us every week, we just seem incapable of scoring. You cannot blame a figure of fate that says just because you are bottom you get no luck.
"I don't know where we go. Before the game you are all optimistic and put everything behind you, we talked about it before the game then we don't do it."
A win for Corinthian Casuals on Saturday has cut YM six points adrift at the bottom. Suter added: "A lot of people would say the writing is on the wall.
"But there are too many points to play for. I have to have my optimist's hat on -there are still 39 points to play for."
A terrible first period saw two teams struggling for their best form, and it took until the 19th minute for Leatherhead's Andy Martin to drag a shot wide from range. As the game started to warm up in the unseasonal sunshine, Aaron France made a brave block at the feet of Matt Simpson and Woodburn smashed one over from the edge of the box.
YM's best chance of the half came courtesy of hard working striker Greg Palmer, who latched onto an Andy Ottley ball and tested France with a well placed chip.
Leatherhead had a lot of joy out wide with the tricky Barnard causing problems.
And when it came, it was Barnard who fired the visitors ahead. Simpson lost possession in midfield and Leatherhead broke, YM first appealed for offside, then for the ball going out of play as Martin raced to the byline before threading a pass through the static defence for Barnard to net.
A response was needed in the second period, and to YM's credit they hustled more in midfield and had far more of the ball.
Substitute- Adam Jupp made a good impression, and carved out a good chance which should have been taken but for Palmer's movement inside the box.
A period of pressure saw Jupp turn his man, only for France to save with his legs.
But all too often YM wandered down blind alleys, with Richard Greenfield the chief culprit.
The hosts might have been awarded a penalty for a lunge on Palmer when a Ben Fillery free kick bounced around inside the box, but seconds later Winterton dropped a clanger when his handling failed him and he presented Marshall with the ball to score in an open goal.
"The first goal was disappointing," Suter remarked. "The second one doesn't matter, that's the first mistake Chris [Winterton] has made since he has been here. If we had managed to equalise that goal would be even more painful."
Man of the Match: : Tom White - committed leadership
Magic Moment: Adam Jupp's turn and shot showed much promise
Teams:
Horsham YMCA: Winterton; Garden, Woodburn (Flack 45), Russell, Keaney (Jupp 45); Greenfield, Simpson, White, Fillery; Palmer, Ottley.