Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Horsham YMCA 4 Geard 6 Manton 36 gedling 87, 90 Geard 90 |  Leatherhead 2 Andrews 1 Hutchings 57 |
Match Ball Sponsor: NEIL CHARTRES | Source: West Sussex County Times |
THIS game had everything as Horsham YMCA scored three times in the closing stages to snatch a remarkable win.
From an opener inside 30 seconds to Matt Geard’s freak goal in the 94th minute, there was plenty in between. Luke Gedling was the hero, as his sumptuous 87th minute free kick levelled the scores at 2-2 before he nodded in from close range to make it 3-2 in stoppage time against the ten men of Leatherhead.
For YM, it perhaps demonstrated that last week’s 3-2 loss after being 2-0 at Ashford was more of a blip rather than a return to their poor early season form. And to twice come from a goal down proved the Gorings Mead outiit’s mental strength.
Manager Chris White remarked: "We have some real character now in this squad.
"I know they had ten men but this season we have not been very good against ten men. Today we were, we kept passing the ball, kept playing and I knew we would create some chances.
"The lads who came in did well today, so to get a start like thatrwe could have folded, I was pleased with the character that was showed. We ended up playing some decent football.
"We have been on a great run which came to an end, and we needed to get back on the bike as quick as possible, and that’s what we have done."
A combination of an unfamiliar backline and the boggy playing surface contributed to Leatherhead’s opener just 27 seconds into the game. The pitch was only given the final thumbs up 20 minutes before kick off thanks to the heavy rain, and the YM defence - missing three regulars - were struggling to find their footing as Tommy Hutchings danced to the edge of the box, teeing up Greg Andrews.
The shocking start lingered, the hosts could not get to grips with the midfield and the back four were left exposed. When they did improve there was a threat. Skipper Neil Watts saw his speculative effort whistle just past the post via a deflection, before Gedling fired a free kick over.
The Tanners retained their early threat, which was just as potent on the break - James Virgo’s lack of pace was exploited as Andrews blazed over from a tight angle.
YM had now achieved a degree of control, and minutes after Tom Manton came off the wing to replace Tom Lawley as the lone striker, they were level.
The ball squirted out towards Manton after good work from John Westcott, and his finish was clinical from ten yards.
The action became more and more frantic in the second half, simple ball control became near impossible and led to a few bone shuddering tackles.
One such tackle led indirectly to the pivotal moment. After overruning the ball slightly, Tom Lawley went unpunished for a meaty challenge which left Jon Coke writhing in agony. Lawley won the ball, but studs were certainly showing.
Minutes later Coke decided to deliver his own brand of retribution by kicking the YM winger. Refreee Mark Walton spotted it and after some backchat, issued a straight red. Twelve nminutes later, Gedling struck the game’s second equaliser. His curling 20 yard free kick was expertly delivered over the wall and into the top corner.
Naturally the home side were making all the running now and it was a question of whether Leatherhead could hold out.
We had our answer in the first minute of stoppage time. Lawley showed a devestating turn of pace to work a crossing position and when Geard saw his header saved by Colin Harris, Gedling was on hand to convert.
It was unbridled joy for the YM bench, and there was more to follow when the much maligrled Gorings Mead surface came to their aid.
Geard shot from the edge of the box and Harris looked to have it covered before the ball hit a divot a leapt over the now prostrate keeper for a somewhat harsh fourth.
Man of the Match:
Tom Manton
YMCA (4-2-3-1): Di Bernardo; Watts, Cooke (Pulling 45), Cooney, Virgo; Gedling, Huckett’ Manton (Geddes Z4), Geard, Westcott (Shaw 85); Lawley.
