Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Croydon Athletic 0 |  Horsham YMCA 0 |
| Source: West Sussex County Times |
TONY Di Bernardo enjoyed a debut to remember, saving TWO penalties in Horsham YMCA's gritty 0-0 draw at Croydon Athletic on Saturday.
The stopper was signed from Worthing at the end of last week, and his heroics earned Chris White's team a point against another of the Ryman Division South's high flyers.
After the last gasp 2-2 draw against Merstham the previous Tuesday, White praised his side's new found character, something which came to the fore again on Saturday in a backs to the wall display.
White said: "We were worth a point, and we had to work very hard for it. Croydon are a good's side.
"Over the last couple of weeks we have had to show some character, and everyone showed it on Saturday right from the front to the back."
As expected, Croydon started strongly and were on top in the early stages, but struggled to create for the opening 30 minutes.
YM meanwhile were happy to play on the break, and Tom Lawley's pace was a worry. In fact, the away side had the better of the chances during this period of play.
Young striker Terry Dodd had a shot well saved and Shaheen Sadough crashed one into the side netting when he might have done better.
Croydon had their first stab at beating Di-Bernardo from 12 yards when Nigel Brake and Tony Timms were adjudged to have teamed up to bundle Ben Godfrey over in the box. The decision was marginal, but the referee pointed to the spot.
Chris Piper struck the penalty, but Di-Bernardo guessed right and made a comfortable save.
Croydon were given a go-ing over at the break by their management and made all the running in the second period.
But the best they could muster was Ben Howe's 20 yard effort well stopped by Di Bernardo. On the hour mark however, the Rams were given their second opportunity to grab the lead.
Gary Noel and Brake went in for a shoulder to shoulder challenge in the YM box - and although both men hit the deck, the decision went Croy-don's way.
Rams' top scorer Noel dusted himself off and took responsibility with the penalty. Di-Bernardo moved slightly to his right opening up the left hand side of the goal, which Noel picked out - but a superb adjustment saw the keeper somehow keep the shot out.
That deflated the home side, and another YM signing, Matt Geard, caused panic in the defence, on his return from Whitehawk.
Croydon did almost have the final say though, substitute Scott Forrester found himself in space inside the box, only to fire over.
White added: "The front men worked so hard, it was a very hard game physically."
YMCA(4-4-2) :Di-Bernardo; Watts, Coon-ey, Timms, Brake; Westcott (Pulling 80), Huckett, Gedling, Lawley; Dodd (Geard 75), Sadough (Geddes 65).