HORSHAM 1 BASINGSTOKE TOWN 1

HORSHAM:
1.Alan Mansfield 2.Yinka Salaam (Cook) 3.Stuart Myall 4.Andy Howard 5.Kevin Hemsley 6.Jacob Mingle 7.Lee Carney 8.John Westcott 9.Lee Farrell 10.Chamal Fenelon 11.Nigel Brake Subs: Matt Geard, Tom Graves, Gary Cook, Dave Labranche, Lewis Taylor, Dean Wright
Scorers: Farrell (73)

BASINGSTOKE TOWN:
1.Max Aneke 2.Musa 3.Sean Hankin 4.Jason Bristow 5.Joe Dolan 6.Ben Surley 7.Dean Lodge 8.Ben Wells 9.Carl Gibbs 10.James Taylor 11.Matt Warner Subs: Scott Fitzgerald, Paul Harkness, Ben Townsend, Luke Townsend, Jonty Venter, Jamie Whisken, Steve Laidler, Marc Vockinns
Scorers: Warner (48)

reporter: Mark Wells
photos by John Lines

A 73rd minute goal from Lee Farrell earned the Hornets a share of the spoils from a lively pre-season encounter with Basingstoke Town. Farrell, Horsham’s summer signing from Lewes, pounced to apply a smart finish to a flowing move that even had sections of the visiting fans nodding in admiration and it was no more than the hosts deserved after matching their Blue Square Conference South opponents for most of the game to leave boss John Maggs in positive mood with the start of the new season less than a month away.

Despite this being their first match of the summer, there were some strong performances from the Horsham players with trialists and ‘regulars’ all giving Maggs food for thought as he looks to build on last season’s 8th place finish. Missing the likes of Eddie French, Carl Rook and Gary Charman, Maggs gave a start to former Basingstoke defender Yinka Salaam and the highly rated Pease Pottage Village striker Chamal Fenelon and both put in a good showing that should encourage the Horsham supremo to give them another run-out at Eastbourne Borough on Saturday. It was, though, a couple of the more familiar faces who caught the eye with Andy Howard and Lee Carney both enjoying excellent games. Howard was disappointed to have been released by the Club early last season, only to make a surprise return towards the end of the campaign, but his near faultless display against a lively ‘stoke forward line is sure to give his manager a selection problem come the start of the season and Carney looked eager to put last season’s injury blighted campaign behind him with an energetic and busy display, knitting the side together in the midfield alongside Jacob Mingle.

Basingstoke arrived having already played three friendly fixtures and sporting a squad mixed with experience and youth with former Crawley Town defender Sean Hankin and ex-Walton & Hersham striker Paul Harkness among the more recognisable faces in a side that will be looking to improve on last season’s disappointing campaign that saw them flirting with relegation. The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening half an hour without truly threatening the Horsham goal although their defence was kept on their toes by the bustling Fenelon. It was soon evident that neither side was treating this game as a gentle run around with several strong challenges coming in from both sets of players although Nigel Brake’s lunge on the flying Dean Lodge was too much for referee Lloyd Rendell who brandished the yellow card to the errant Horshamite. The hosts came close to opening the scoring on 28 minutes when the ball was worked out to John Westcott and Carney headed the winger’s flighted delivery against the crossbar. It was another fifteen minutes before the Hornets forced their first corner of the game and Howard almost took full advantage, his volley bringing a fine save from Max Aneke to ensure that the scoreline remained goalless at the break.

H/T Horsham 0 Basingstoke Town 0

Maggs made four changes during the interval, replacing Brake, Hemsley, Westcott and Salaam with Matt Geard, Tom Graves, Lewis Taylor and Gary Cook and Geard was immediately in the thick of the action, appearing to be impeded by Aneke inside the Basingstoke penalty area only for play to be waved on. Horsham’s misery was compounded just two minutes later when ‘stoke were awarded a disputed spot-kick of their own. A couple of neat step-overs and a quick turn of pace saw Lodge accelerate into the eighteen yard box where he was sent sprawling by the slightest of touches from the trailing Howard. Mr Rendell’s decision was an unpopular one with the home fans, given what had taken place at the other end just moments before, but Matt Warner ignored the protests to slam the ball against the stanchion at the back of the goal to give his side the lead. Mass substitutions followed for the visitors, soon after, with 6 players introduced and a speculative shot just cleared Mansfield’s goal as the visitors tried to make the most of any confusion in the Horsham ranks.

Farrell and Fenelon combined to create an opening, after the former showed good skill in controlling Graves’ long pass and laying the ball off, but his strike partner’s shot was deflected back to the goalkeeper for a comfortable save. A free-kick then presented Mingle with two bites of the cherry, his first shot being blocked and the second drifting off target, as Maggs’ side went in search of an equaliser. Howard and Cook performed last ditch tackles to prevent a couple of dangerous attacks, and Mansfield did well to block a fierce drive, but the home side were beginning to enjoy the bulk of the possession and it was the introduction of Dave Labranche that was to prove the turning point. On the pitch for less than five minutes, he played his part in an excellent move by putting a perfectly weighted pass through to Farrell to finish first time past the exposed ‘keeper to fully justify Maggs’ desire to secure the striker to contract for the forthcoming season. It might have been 2-1 in Horsham’s favour, five minutes from time, when Aneke produced a fine tip over from Labranche’s powerful drive before Farrell left the pitch to a generous ovation to be replaced by Dean Wright. Basingstoke did threaten to spoil the night when Carl Gibbs had a shot deflected over the top, and Mansfield showed good handling when Scott Fitzgerald headed the resulting corner goalwards, but Horsham could be happy with their performance and will be looking for more of the same when they travel to the coast this weekend.


NEXT MATCH: v Eastbourne Borough (a) Saturday 28th July ko 3.00pm