Match Report
Horsham District Youth League: Under-12s
 Horsham Sparrows 0 |  Horsham YMCA 2 |
| Source: Mark Lawton |
For much of this scrappy game against our town rivals there was not a lot to say.
Both teams cancelled themselves out in midfield making for a stop-start spectacle which we clearly dominated in the first half.
Anthony Jupp and Christopher Nicholson came close to scoring with shots that just went wide while Cameron Allan looked dangerous in midfield on the break.
But both defences were on top, snuffing out attack after attack on the sloping pitch on a very warm, sunny morning.
Goalless at the break having played uphill, we fancied our chances but Sparrows started the second half brightly.
Their right winger looked more than dangerous and Toby Laker at left back needed to be on top form to keep him out.
Fortunately, on the one occasion he did get past Toby, he was forced wide by Ryan Lawford and shot well past the post.
Neither side looked like scoring until we made a couple of changes.
Alex Moon and Rumon Ahmed went on up front and Alex sent a bullet header inches wide while Rumon brought out a good save from the keeper.
Midway through the half a cleared corner fell to Kieran Sullivan 25 yards out and his shot through a crowd of players found its way into the corner of the net to give us the lead.
And five minutes later Ryan's delightful chip over the top of an advancing defence sent Christopher through and he buried a rocket shot past a startled keeper from an angle.
So a fine win from a match played in the best of spirits. The first goal was always going to win it and Chris's rocket was just a bonus.
YM: Stanbridge, Watson, Lawford, Sullivan, Laker; Nicholson, Jupp, Allan, Holmes; Mathers, Denny (Moon, Ahmed)
Man of the match: Toby Laker