Sussex County League: Division One
Match Report
Sussex County League: Division One
 St Francis Rangers 4 Carruthers 26 Mhehka 36 Baker 50 Arnoux 63 |  Horsham YMCA 5 Wright 14 Hillier 58 Sullivan 64 Wright 66 Hillier 70 |
| Source: Graham Carter |
HORSHAM YMCA manager Sammy Donnelly admitted he may not be able to stand as much excitement as against St Francis Rangers on Tuesday night after his side recovered from 4-2 down to end up 5-4 winners.
YM overcame traffic problems which meant they arrived just 20 minutes before kick-off to take the lead through Dean Wright after only ten minutes.
But they were trailing 2-1 at half-time as Rangers found the net twice through Matt Carruthers and new signing Malcolm Mheuka.
Following a Hull City style half-time team talk on the pitch because of being locked out of their changing room, YM twice went further behind before mounting a superb second half fight back with goals by newboy Nick Sullivan, Wright and a brace by the excellent George Hillier.
Donnelly quipped: "I don’t want to see too many matches like that - I don’t know if l can take it!
"Whoever watched the game will have enjoyed it. There were some good goals there. The lads were asked questions tonight and did well to come back from 3-1 and 4-2 down. I’m well pleased for them. They showed tremendous character"
This was a tremendous spectacle of end-to-end football which kept the 43—strong crowd guessing right to the end.
Wright’s early opener crept in at the far post from what looked like a cross. St Francis got back on level terms when centre back Carruthers blasted in from just out- side the area.
Hillier saw a shot saved before Saints made it 2-1 when striker Mheuka headed home a cross by Stuart Brown and Louis Pole then hit the crossbar for Saints before halftime Injury to Mheuka did not seem to hinder Saints as Carl Baker tucked away on the rebound after keeper Simon Lockwood had denied Mickael Arnoux with his legs.
Brad Curtis saw a powerful strike saved before Hillier followed up on a through ball to pull one back on 59 minutes.
A far post header my Arnoux restored Saints’ two-goal lead with 27 minutes though before YM really turned it on upfront.
Helped by the strong presence of midheld substitute Dan Smith, who recently arrived from Three Bridges, Nick Sullivan began the fight back with a scrappy short-range finish.
Just 60 seconds later Wright levelled at 4-4 from a counter attack, and after Wright headed just over the excellent Hillier found the winner from just inside the box.
Donnelly stressed: "This wasn’t an easy place to go to. We couldn’t have got off to a worse start but in the second half the players knew what they had to do - it wasn’t that I said anything that fantastic".
And he added: "We must take all the good things from tonight into this Saturday’s FA trophy game at home to Deal from the Kent Premier League, which will be tough."
YM: Lockwood, Wood, D Sullivan, Hunter, King, Crane, Curtis (Smith 60), Dugdale, Hillier, Wright, N Sullivan.
Man of the match:George Hillier - great determination as well as two goals.
