Match Report
County League: Division One
 Lingfield 0 |  Horsham YMCA 1 Manton 83 (pen) |
| Source: Allan Norbury, West Sussex County Times |
IF HORSHAM YMCA man-age to lift the County League Division 1 title next Saturday, they could have a moment of madness to thank.
A hard fought match, which appeared to be drifting to a goalless conclusion exploded in the 81st minute, allowing Tom Manton to net what might turn out to be the most important goal of the campaign.
When Shaheen Sadough was left with blood streaming down his face following an incident at least 30 yards off the ball, chaos ensued.
Lingfield winger Aaron Courtney was picked out as the perpetrator of the crime and given his marching orders by referee Nick
Brown who pointed to the spot. Enraged by both decisions, Lingfield's protests became too much for .the officials and Jay Taylor was also dismissed for his part in the tirade.
When the dust finally settled, Manton lashed home the spot kick sparking delirium among the visitors.
The result, combined with fellow contenders Wick and Eastbourne United dropping points, means YM are now within two points of top spot and have games in hand.
Manager Chris White praised his men for keeping their heads while 'war' was waged on the pitch.
"We might look back at that penalty and be very grateful for it," White said.
"It's been a war, I said after about ten minutes that we have to be careful and that we don't get bullied. We got through to half time and said we have to stand up, and I thought they were magnificent, work rate, putting bodies on the line and throwing ourselves in the way, absolutey fantastic tonight."
Lingfield have been tough to beat, just nine defeats this season is testament to that, and they were out to prove their point with a physical and energetic display.
Before his dismissal, Courtney was Lingfield's source of inspiration, his darting runs on the right flank pulled the visitors one way then another. Lingfield had the upper hand, Daley Clark might have had a penalty when floored by YM keeper Tom Rand and James Holland was denied by a fine Martyn Flack tackle.
Other than that it was pot shots for both sides, and it didn't improve after the break.
A neat Tom Lawley flick which brought a superb reaction stop from Dan Burnett aside, the match was degenerating into a scrap.
Ryan Bradley and Danny Gillard went in the book as running battles started to crop up, and minutes after James Rhodes called Burnett into action, Courtney's indis-cretion turned the title race on its head.
YM will find they have more interest than usual for their last three games -against the bottom three sides - as promotion to the Ryman League will end any doubts of a ground share with Horsham FC.
White added: "They (Saturday's opposition East Preston) will still have something to play for, end up relegating them have to take care of ourselves - three more performs like that and we'll be ok.
Man of the Match: Paul Elliott battled tirelessly
Magic moment: Tom Manton's nerveless penalty could prove so crucial.
YMCA: (4-4-2):Rand; Williams Flack, Graves, Metcalf; Rhodes, Manton, Joseph (Sadough 43) Lawley; Bradley (Lamont 72), Elliott
