Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Horsham YMCA 3 Geard 6 Timms 57 Manton 90 |  Fleet Town 2 Evans 44, 45 |
Match Ball Sponsor: Clive Turner | Source: West Sussex County Times |
TOM MANTON popped up with a last gasp winner on Saturday which had YM manager Chris White wishing he could turn back the clock..
The 90th minute goal decided a see-saw contest and laid to rest some of the demons from a 3-0 cup defeat to the same opposition in midweek. And White admits if his side’s early season form had been better, they might be looking towards a play-off position.
As it is, Manton’s sweet strike ensured YM went seventh, a position almost unthinkable following a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Whyteleafe in November.
White said: "We were very disappointed after Tuesday night. Not just the result, but the way in which they (Fleet) conducted themselves.
“I thought we were fantastic today and we were the better side. We have got some good footballers at this club now.And it’s a shame I could not get this group together earlier, otherwise we could be in with a chance (of a play off place)."
YM could not have asked for a better start. After six minutes, Terry Dodd might have had a penalty claim as he went down when collecting a quick throw in. But the youngster scrambled back to his feet and pulled a super ball back for Matt Geard to stroke home at the near post.
With plenty of bad blood left over from the midweek cup match, there was a lot of needle on the pitch. Much of it involved winger Tom Lawley and Fleet left back Tom Bird — a third place finisher in Sky television’s Football lcon competition. Bird played a part in Dodd’s dismissal in midweek, a combination of flashy light blue boots and melodrama hardly endeared him to the Gorings Mead crowd.
It turned into a wide open contest, Tony Timms had a ninth minute flick saved, and Luke Gedling sliced wide, while Steve Hemmings put a free header wide for Fleet. That should have provided plenty enough warning for later.
YM continued to carve out the better opportunities - Geard may have a bit of a disciplinary reputation, but has a very astute footballing brain. He was involved in some of the hosts’ best stuff, tidy triangles and snappy one touch passing reflected how high confidence is at present.
One such opening should have led to a second, Mike Huckett drilled the ball wide from close range, and they were made to pay.
Two goals in two minutes from the head of giant centre back Luke"Evans meant all the good work was undone. The warning from earlier was not heeded, as Darren ‘Wheeler’s open, Timms, Steve Metcalf and Luke Gedling were doing a better job in cutting off the danger at source then their Fleet counterparts.
A beautiful link up between Dodd and Geard was worthy of winning any game, while Mike Huckett shaved a coat of paint off the crossbar with a header.
Fleet’s best chance came two minutes from the end, and when he fired over, a point looked likely. Manton had other ideas however. As the ball was allowed to bounce across the Fleet penalty area, he bought half a yard by allowing it to cross his body before tiring a shot across Smalling which nestled inside the far post.
Man of the Match:
Luke Gedling, efficient throughout in everything he did.
YMCA (4—2-2-1-1): Di Bernardo; Watt, Timms, Metcalf, Brake; Huckett, Gedling, Lawley (Westcott 82), Manton; Geard (Geddes 82), Dodd.