Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Ashford Town 3 |  Horsham YMCA 2 |
| Source: West Sussex County Times |
AN UNBEATEN run stretching back to the start of December was decisively ended when YM threw away a two goal lead at Ashford.
A Terry Dodd goal shortly after the half time break had put the visitors 2-0 up and despite concerns over the state of the Ashford pitch, YM were in control. But Chris White’s men ceded possession and territory.
White insisted though: "lt’s difiicult to criticise. For two and a half months we have been outstanding and it’s the first game we have lost in the league since early December?
Suspensions to Tony Timms and Nigel Brake left the away side light at the back. Still though, YM started well kicking down the slope. It was a pretty even contest until ten minutes before the break when Dodd was pulled to the floor as he darted into the box.
The decision was clear cut, and Mike Huckett stepped up to stroke home the spot kick.
The lead was doubled five minutes into the second period. A ball squirmed out of a tackle across the Ashford box and Dodd was on hand at the far post to apply the finishing touch — shooting across the keeper.
YM’s management had tried to emphasise how important it was not to get pinned in as they shot uphill in the second half. But those words went unheeded as possession was increasingly dominated by the hosts.
White would have been even less impressed with the manner of the goals - a throwback to poor defending earlier in the season. Ashford’s iirst came after a ‘silly’ free kick given away by Tom Lawley, and from the resulting ball into the box, a wicked flick wrong footed Tony Di-Bernardo in goal and went through his legs.
The Nuts and Bolts levelled when Charlie Cooke lost Mark Lovell in the box and the striker was allowed a free header.
Cooke was als at fault for the winner, a rash challenge led to the award of a soft spot kick which was tucked away expertly.
"They out battled us really." White remarked. “And from that point of view I have no complaints."
YM (4-2-2-1-1): Di-Bernardo; Watt, Cooke (Shaw 85), Metoalt, Virgo; Gedling, Huckett; Lawley (Westcott 70), Manton (Geddes 70), Geard, Dodd.