EAST THURROCK UNITED 0 HORSHAM 1

EAST THURROCK UNITED:
1.Shane Gore 2.Dave Collis 3.Ashley Dumas 4.Wes Faulkner 5.Dean Chandler 6.Max Cornhill 7.Lee Burns 8.Lee Williams 9.Gary Ansell (Harris) 10.Jamie Richards 11.Jon Turnbull (Boyce) Subs: 12.Bradley Stevens 14.Keith Martin 15.Danny Harris16.Ben Boyce 17.Jamie Riley.

HORSHAM:
1.Alan Mansfield 2.Tom Graves (Myall) 3.Nigel Brake 4.Eddie French 5.Andy Howard 6.Lee Carney  7.Jacob Mingle 8.John Westcott 9.Simon Austin 10.Carl Rook 11.Gary Charman Subs: 12.Kevin Hemsley 14.Stuart Myall 15.Yinka Salaam 16.Dean Wright
Scorers: Rook (26)

reporter: Tim Harrison

Horsham moved into second place in the Ryman Premier Division table thanks to a first half header from Carl Rook, the 7th goal of what promises to be another productive season for the former Hastings United frontman. His 27th minute header, from a cross by Jacob Mingle, was due reward for the Hornets who enjoyed the bulk of the possession and, on another day, might have won by a greater margin against a disappointing East Thurrock side.

The hosts had enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign and wins against Margate, AFC Wimbledon, Hendon and Leyton had seen them briefly top the table only for their good form to desert them with three successive defeats in which they had failed to register a single goal. By contrast, Horsham went into this match on the back of a fine victory against Chelmsford City and were favourites to repeat last season's success when Mingle and Kevin Cooper peered through the blizzards to register a goal apiece. With temperatures thankfully above freezing this time, John Maggs elected to start with the same eleven players who finished Saturday's match although the Hornets boss was on tenterhooks with the late arrival of Mingle and his travelling companions Stuart Myall and Yinka Salaam who, for the second time this season, had to endure a nightmarish journey from South London.

Horsham got off to a good start and put together a series of well constructed attacks with Mingle quickly into his stride, spreading the play and frequently bringing the widemen into the action. It took ten minutes for the visitors to test Shane Gore when Tom Graves' shot from distance produced a parried save from the Rooks 'keeper, Nigel Brake fired wide and full-back Ashley Dumas' shot-cum-cross was easily taken by Alan Mansfield. The game's decisive moment came just before the half hour mark when John Westcott's throw sought out Mingle who curled a lovely ball over to Rook who headed past Gore for a lovely, well-worked goal. Almost immediately, Gary Charman won a ball deep in his own half and released Rook with a long pass but, with a second goal beckoning, Rook tangled with a defender and was harshly penalised. Horsham were well on top at this stage and it seemed only a matter of time before the second goal would come. Simon Austin was playing well in a deeper role allowing Rook the freedom to roam freely up front although the goalscorer turned villain in the eyes of replacement referee Jorden who cautioned the striker for an ill-judged challenge in midfield. A couple of long range free-kicks from Lee Carney tested the home defence but there were no further goals and the sides went into the break with the Hornets holding a slender advantage.

H/T: East Thurrock United 0 Horsham 1

An improved showing from the home side after the break saw a couple of shots from Gary Ansell and, later, Lee Burns but Horsham continued to threaten a second goal and Carney's free-kick led to a back flick by Rook that went close. Further opportunities fell for Charman and Eddie French before, on 71 minutes, East Thurrock produced their most dangerous effort of the night. Max Cornhill and Jamie Richards combined well to create an opening for Jon Turnbull but Mansfield was equal to the shot, palming it away to safety. What had been a fair and clean game suddenly degenerated with a spate of bookings; Turnbull was cautioned for a foul on Austin and David Collis was lucky to receive just  a yellow card for an elbow on Charman. Westcott also got his name in Mr Jorden's book for a mystery indiscretion that bemused and angered sections of the Horsham followers. Rooks manager Lee Patterson introduced Danny Harris and Ben Boyce in place of Ansell and Turnbull but it did little to alter the complexion of the game with Horsham less dominant but still comfortably in control. A time consuming substitution in the final minute saw Myall replace Graves who had played consistently well throughout and, although there were scares at either end of the pitch, Rook's goal remained the difference between the two sides and Horsham were able to celebrate only their 3rd clean sheet of the season and a clean bill of health ahead of Saturday's crucial FA Cup tie with Bury Town.

NEXT MATCH: v Bury Town (h) Saturday 29th September ko 3.00pm