Match Report
County League: Division One
 Horsham YMCA 1 Metcalf 64 |  Three Bridges 0 |
| Source: Allan Norbury, West Sussex County Times |
A SECOND half header from Steve Metcalf kept Horsham YMCA's promotion flame flickering - and with it a swift resolution to the Horsham ground-share saga.
If YM finish in the top two of the County League, and win promotion to the Ryman League, the ground-sharing deal struck between the clubs should avoid the stumbling block of the County League's refusal to permit such an arrangement.
But for YM on Monday, it was about ensuring they kept in touch with the top two following the disappointment of losing Good Friday's John O'Hara Cup final.
Metcalf s header, from a smartly worked corner, did just that as Chris White's men effectively ended Three Bridges' challenge.
White remarked: "That was exactly what we wanted.
"We bounced back well from Friday's disappoint-ment (losing the cup final to Whitehawk and it was important to do so.
"You look at the remaining fixtures and Lingfield should be a tough game, but we ought to win the rest of them all going to form, but football isn't always like that.
"But we ought to be looking at winning every game."
YM, lining up without the suspended Matt Geard, were drawn into an attrition Jal battle against their Crawley-based rivals.
Paul Elliott enjoye the first clear cut chance, drawing a superb stop from Bridges keeper Mark Fox at point blank range. In general though, it was a hard fought match as both sides re salised what was at stake.
George Hillier and Joel O'Hara had half chances for the visitors, while at the other end Tom Lawley and, James Rhodes did the same. Defences were on top and although YM finished the half the stronger, Carl Dunk could have put the visitors in front from close range.
YM took a while to find their stride in the second period, while Bridges made heavy work of progress in the final third of the pitch.
It look a bit of quick think-ing to finally illuminate the game shortly after the hour mark. Tom Lawley rolled a quick free kick to James Rhodes, who had time to pick out a cross, and Metcalf stooped to nod in a free header at the far post.
Dean Wright's pace continued to be Bridges' most potent weapon, but the youngster was just about kept in check by Tom Graves' experience. YM might have even extended their advantage, an audacious effort from Paul Elliott floated just wide, and Scott Marshall was off target with an attempted lob
Man of the match: Ryan Bradley, effective with and without the ball.
Magic moment: Paul Elliott's first time shot from nowhere which crept wide.
YMCA: (4-3-3):Rand; Williams, Graves, Flack, Metcalf; Manton, Marshall, Bradley; Rhodes, Lawley, Elliott.
