Match Report
Ryman league: Division One South
 Sittingbourne 0 |  Horsham YMCA 2 A Russell 56 Woodburn 61 |
Source: Allan Norbury, West Sussex County Times
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THEY may have only just started digging, but the great escape could be on for Horsham YMCA after their 2-0 defeat of Sittingbourne on Tuesday evening.
Eight points adrift of safety at kick off, YM had taken on the look of a team destined for the drop after seven games without a win. But a committed and passionate second half display ended YM's 536 minute goal drought, with their first clean sheet of the season.
Their delight was short lived though with the news that Corinthian Casuals also won, which means the next team YM can catch is Eastbourne Town, seven points ahead with a game in hand.
Manager John Suter believes YM could need seven wins from their last ten games to avoid relegation.
He said: "I thought we had the side to do well on the night.
"I felt we were relatively strong and capable of doing something. We cannot afford for this to be a win in isolation, we have to build on that. "The entire defence were enormous for us."
It could have been a disastrous start for YM, a flowing move involving Ryan Andrews and Lee Spiller carved the visitors open in the seventh minute and presented Hicham Akhazzan with a glorious chance just five yards out, but his shot crashed off the bar and YM scrambled clear.
Towards the end of the half, Phil Fitzgerald came to YM's rescue when he cleared after on-loan goalkeeper Alan Mansfield committed himself on the edge of the box.
The Gorings Mead outfit were a team re-energised after the break, and Sittingbourne looked devoid of ideas, but could have scored moments before YM's opener. Mansfield made a good stop from Bradley Spice, his clearance set in motion a YM move which ended with Adam Jupp glancing on Dean Garden's deep cross for All Russell to lash home at the far post.
Five minutes later Woodburn doubled the lead, Sittingbourne half cleared when Andy Lutwyche's header was saved but Jupp put the ball straight back in, and Woodburn stooped to head home.
Now YM had a dilemma and they didn't know whether to stick or twist -nerves became frayed but they were never really under enough pressure from the Brickies.
Mansfield made one full length save to deny Akhazzan, and Bryan Glover missed the target with just Mansfield to beat after being put through.
Man of the Match: : Darren Pearce. Very effective in midfield.
Magic Moment: The return of a broad grin to John Suter's face after full time
Teams: YM (4-4-2): Mansfield; Garden, M Russell (Palmer 84), Lutwyche, Fitzgerald; Woodburn, Pearce, White, Grant; A Russell, Jupp.