Match Report
County League: Division One
 Horsham YMCA 2 Flitney (og) 53 Manton (pen) 83 |  Croydon Athletic 5 Godfrey 5, 71 Noel 12, 33 Bolarinwa 36 |
| Source: Allan Norbury , West Sussex County Times |
THE HARSH realities of Ryman League football dawned on Horsham YMCA on Tuesday night in a brutal first half against Croydon Athletic.
YM were four goals down at the break and drowning in a sea of defensive errors, before producing something of a second half recovery to lose 5-2 come the final whistle. It was Croydon's ruth-lessness which put YM to the sword and they were on the back foot from the word go.
Manager Chris White said: "We were taught a lesson in the first half, no doubt about that.
"There was some superb finishing but also some mistakes from us. It's the fourth time this season we have conceded a goal in the first five minutes, that's something we have to cut out."
A busy start, with Mike Huckett buzzing around the midfield was soon forgotten when Tom Graves was mugged by Ben Godfrey, who calmly slotted a finish beyond keeper Simon Lockwood in the fifth minute.
Croydon then started to move through the gears, unhurried and clever on the ball, while YM struggled to keep it. When the impressive Chris Piper was given the ball in midfield, his pass dissected the defence and Gary Noel ran on to score with a deft touch. Winger Tom Bolarinwa came to the fore on the half hour, firstly his cross was allowed to reach Noel for 3-0, and he then decided to go it alone moments later - a dart inside off the right flank finished off with a shot smashed into the far top corner.
The introduction of Paul Elliott up front saw YM cause more problems after the break, but when the hosts pulled one back it was in fortuitous style. Luke Gedling's hopeful cross slipped out of keeper Ross Flitney's hands and on to the post, before bobbling over the line.
It was all part of a decent spell from YM, when Steve Sargent's ball in was cleared to Elliott, his shot was well saved and Steve Metcalf put a free header over.
Croydon managed to raise their level again to restore the four goal cushion on 71 minutes. Bolarinwa robbed Steve Metcalf, drove to the byline where he hurdled a rash Drew Cooney lunge and crossed for Godfrey to net his second.
There was still time though for the home side to grab a second, Metcalf went down in a forest of legs and Manton made no mistake from the spot.
YMCA: 4-5-1):Lockwood; Simpson (Pulling 45), Graves (Flack 78), Cooney, Metcalf; Sargent, Gedling, Manton, Lawley, Huckett; Sadough (Elliott 45).