Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Horsham YMCA 0/b> |  Godalming Town 2 |
Match Ball Sponsor: Team Coach | Source: West Sussex County Times |
DESPERATELY in need of some points, YM produced a performance which encouraged manager Chris White, despite a 2-0 defeat to Godalming on Tuesday.
YM are fourth bottom of Division 1 South, and on ten points are among five teams in danger of being cut adrift.
Leatherhead sit five points and two places ahead, but more worrying for White's team they are just three ahead of basement boys Whitstable, who are their visitors on Saturday.
But, the performance in de-feat has given White a boost -he believes Godalming 'got out of jail'.
"The performance was terrific," White remarked. "I thought we played some of the best football we have played this season. But it was the same story, we did not take our chances, and two errors led to us conceding twice.
"The attitude and work rate were right and they put everything into the performance.
"I'm convinced that if we play like this we will get some points under belt."
Fourth placed Godalming came with a reputation for being a big physical side, and YM planned to take that apart with their mobility around the pitch.
Using the same formation as in the Championship Manager Cup win against Eastbourne Town six days earlier, YM roared put of the blocks and barely gave Godalming a touch of the ball in the first 15 minutes.
Luke Gedling was first to go close, dragging a shot wide of both keeper and the upright, before Terry Dodd did likewise. Mike Huckett shot wide and when John Westcott delayed his shot it allowed Godalming to clear their lines.
Tom Lawley provided a superb outlet out wide and caused havoc with a number of fine balls into the box.
As so often has been the case with YM this season, a mistake allowed Godalming in to score the opener mid way through the first period.
Building from the back, Tom Rand bowled the ball out to Neil Watts, but the centre back slipped at a crucial moment, and from the resulting cross, a good finish from the Town striker put them ahead.
White said: "I told them at half time to continue what we were doing, it's just not falling for us in front of goal."
It continued in that vein, Gavin Geddes came on after re-covering from an achilles problem and should have opened his account, and Gedling put an effort wide.
Then the second goal 15 minutes from time, knocked the stuffing out of White's troops. A long throw was allowed to bounce in the box, and James Virgo lost his man who planted home a firm header.
White brought fresh legs on, but by then the match was gone.
The manager added: "If we play with that same attitude against Whitstable we will win. I don't think there is an awful lot between the top and bottom teams in this division."
YMCA: (4-2-3-1):Rand; Watts, Timms, Virgo, Brake; Manton, Huckett (Sadough 65); Westcott, Gedling, Lawley; Dodd (Geddes 75).
