Match Report
County League: Division One
 Pagham 1 |  Horsham YMCA 0 Asare 38 |
| Source: Steve Pickthall, West Sussex County Times |
HORSHAM YMCA slipped eight points behind leaders Eastbourne in the Division 1 title race with a 1-0 defeat at promotion rivals Pagham.
Goalkeeper Tom Rand's error gifted Mike Asare a goal before half time and striker Paul Elliott had two excellent opportunities to score in a second half dominated by the visitors.
"I just can't believe we didn't win the game," boss Chris White said. "In the first half we looked a bit rusty having not played for a couple of weeks but in the second half we battered them but couldn't score.
"Everyone is disappointed, none more so than Randy (Tom Rand), he was distraught afterwards."
After a slow start to the match Elliott did well to cut the ball back for Tom Lawley to bobble a shot wide, and soon after Elliott cushioned a header into the winger's path but again he dragged his effort.
Steve Metcalf had an impressive game at left back and was unlucky to see a goal bound header tipped over by Wes Hallett. It was Elliott who had YM's best chance of the half, Tom Manton skipped past two tackles and fed the striker on the left of the box, he cut on to his right and struck at the near post, but Hallett made the save.
Pagham's biggest threat came from their pace down the flanks, especially the lively Asare on the left, who couldn't believe his luck when a routine back pass was horribly sliced into his path by Rand, and after shifting the ball onto his right he smashed it low into the net.
The hosts nearly doubled their advantage two minutes later, Paul Williams' half clearance fell to Fedden but he blazed over on the half volley.
YM came storming out of the blocks at the start of the second half arid Elliott had two great chances in the space of three minutes. A blocked clearance looped into his path and with only the keeper to beat he lobbed the ball just over. Then Metcalf won the ball with a brilliant tackle and fed the striker, who jdid everything right to sidestep his defender inside the bqx but fired the ball when welll placed.
In the hekrt of defence Clay Lament won every-thing in the £^ir and new sign-ing Drew Cooney didn't put a foot wrong all game.
Metcalf came so close with a bullet of a half volley from inside the box which was saved and Paul Williams had a left footed effort from 25 yards tipped over, while Pagham substitute Michael Frangou had a chance to score late on, but it was vital points dropped.
"Paul should have had a hat trick, although I felt his all round game was good, he was a threat," said White.
"There's a long way to go and we won't give up until we can't win it, but Saturday's result makes it very difficult for us."
Man of the Match: Steve Metcalf - was hard in the tackle and got forward well.
Magic moment: Metcalf's snapshot half volley which arrowed at goal and was somehow kept out.
YMCA: (4-4-2):Rand; Williams, Metcalf, Cooney, Lamont; Lawley, Manton, Marshall (Death 80), Watts; Elliott, Bradley (Sadough 55).
