Match Report
Horsham District Youth League: Under-12s
 Kirdford 2 |  Horsham YMCA 9 |
| Source: Mark Lawton |
We started our life in a new league with a comfortable win at picturesque Kirdford.
It was very scrappy to start with as neither team managed to get any control but we gradually took control.
And when Cameron Allan smashed us into the lead from the endge of the area, that should have been the start of an avalanche.
However sloppy marking through the middle allowed a long ball to beat the defence and Kirdford levelled with their first and only shot of the first half.
The match was effectively won in the five minutes before half time.
Christopher Nicholson was fouled wide right but no free kick was given.
This seemed to galvanise the whole side as first James Watson, then Nic Mathers, Connor Denny then Christopher himself netted in a frantic spell that blew the battling home side away.
Still the goals came after the break.
Connor hit his second then Cameron also doubled his tally, superbly set up by Alex Moon's cushioned header.
Kirdford then replied with a belting 25-yarder - again more slack marking - before slick passing saw Connor complete his hat-trick and Anthony Jupp hammered home a 30-yard free-kick.
The defence was rarely tested but Ryan Lawford, Kieran Sullivan and Toby Laker looked solid while Alex Holmes worked hard down the left, Anthony was colossal in the middle and Christopher looked a class above and three yards quicker than anything else on the pitch.
And Elliott Stanbridge in goal made a couple of good blocks when a long ball did get a player in behind our defence.
And as for Cameron...he looked like he's been playing for us for years, not just one game. Great touches and tackles.
So a great start but there'll be harder than this to come. This is no time to start getting complacent.
YM:Elliott Stanbridge, James Watson, Ryan Lawford, Kieran Sullivan, Toby Laker, Christopher Nicholson, Anthony Jupp, Cameron Allan, Alex Holmes, Connor Denny, Nic Mathers, Alex Moon.
Man of the match: Christopher Nicholson.