Match Report
Ryman League: Division One South
 Horsham YMCA 4 |  Whyteleafe 0 |
Match Ball Sponsor: GORDON HEAD | Source: West Sussex County Times |
A COMFORTABLE 4-0 win wrapped up Horsham YMCA’s season and secured their highest Ryman League points total.
Goals from Terry Dodd, Mat Geard, Tom Manton and Mike Huckett against Whyteleafe saw YM end on a high with a total of 59 points, surpassing their previous best of 58 in the 2006/07 season.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for Chris White’s men, who were in the doldrums in October and early November.
White commented: "I have to give full credit to the lads, they have been excellent.
"We were struggling earlier on inthe season. Funnily enough it was the 5-O loss at Whyteleafe on November 9 which was our lowest point.
"Then we went to Eastbourne on the Wednesday and won in the cup and it seemed to turn from there.
"We had some tough decisions to make and released some people on and off the pitch.
"It worked for us and if the season had started in November we would be in the playoffs. It has been an excellent season."
The two teams served up a scrappy first half on a tricky end of season surface. The nearest either side came was a hurried clearance from YM centre back Tony Timms.
Whyteleafe were made to pay for their physical approach when they were reduced to ten men for a ‘headbutt’ on Matt Geard early in the second half.
YM then took advantage and ran riot. Manton teed up Dodd for the opener, his cute through ball found the striker who lashed home a good tinish with an early shot.
Skipper Neil Watts combined with Dodd to set up Geard for the second, Dodd’s header down fell kindly for a smart strike.
Reserve team striker Toby Fitzgibbon hand a big hand in YM’s third. He won the ball just outside the box and squared for Manton to find the net.
And Huckett then put the seal on a fine second half display with a typical goal.
Getting beyond the front men, he met Dodd’s cross and forced a shot past the Leafe keeper.
After this season of consolidation, White wants to improve even further. He said: "As far as I know the players want to stay. I want to push on and I`am not happy to sit where we are. We will be discussing next season next week."
YM (4-4-2): Di Bernardo; Watts, T Timms, R Timms, Brake; Gedling, Huckett, Westcott (Pulling 65), Manton; Geard (Fitzgibbon 60), Dodd (Geddes 75)