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Kieran Towse, Stuart
Chester, Zack Gray, Joss Knowles, Mackie Law, Matt Mayes, Daryl
Jeeves, Marcus Collier, Matt Clarke, George Hall, Josh Clack, Subs –
Louis Masih, Ryan Wotton, Sam Bulley
Goalscorers – Masih (2),
Mayes |
|
Matt Bulley’s team returned to action
this week with the 1st of 3 vital back-to-back encounters with
Rustington Otters and, with the added problem of 2 midfielders being
unavailable, the game was going to be tough.
Horsham had an early chance when, in the 2nd minute, Josh Clack fired
his shot straight at the goalkeeper and, 4 minutes later, a Matt Mayes
free kick went just over the bar. With Horsham having the bulk of the
play, several more chances went just wide and, on 22 minutes, Ryan
Wotton and Louis Masih came on for Mackie Law and Josh Clack. Marcus
Collier had a shot deflected of a defender's head on 24 minutes and
George Hall’s attempt to chip the 'keeper brought a fine finger tip
save on the half hour. In the dying seconds of the half, a fine move
started by Ryan Wotton saw his shot, from a return pass by Clarke, go
just wide.
The second half saw Hall replaced by Clack and Horsham continue to
pile on the pressure making the Rustington 'keeper produce a series of
fine saves to deny them. First of all Masih was denied in the 43rd
minute, then Daryl Jeeves’ low shot to the 'keeper's right was turned
around the post. Two minutes later, Clack was 1 on 1 with the keeper
but could only steer his shot straight at him. Wotton had to come off
in the 51st minute with what appeared to be a thigh strain, sustained
after chasing and tackling an Otters player. Sam Bulley came on to
replace him and almost had a dream start when his cross was hit just
wide by Clarke. Four minutes later, a through ball by Bulley was
blasted over by Clack and then came the first of 2 chances for
Collier, the 1st producing another fingertip save and then a safe
catch to deny him. With 9 minutes to go Horsham were denied a penalty
when a handball by a Rustington defender was deemed to be accidental.
In the 65th minute, Collier was through 1 and 1 on the 'keeper who
stood his ground to again deny Horsham.
The full time score of 0-0 meant extra time of 10 minutes each way.
Hall came back on to replace Clack and Horsham again set about
breaking down the Rustington defence. However, with 3 minutes gone
Towse was called on to make his only real save. In the last minute of
the half a through ball by Masih saw Hall’s shot saved again.
The 1st minute of the second half of extra time saw the first goal
when Clarke’s through ball was coolly slotted home by Masih. Within 2
minutes both Horsham and Masih’s tally was doubled when he picked up a
rebound from a Clack shot and stepped right to slot home. This was to
be Masih’s last action as he was replaced by Law. With the clock
running down the result was sealed when a Bulley free kick fell at the
feet of Mayes who tapped in for Horsham’s 3rd.
The 3-0 win sees the young Hornets
through to the Semi Finals of the County Cup for the 3rd consecutive
year.
The fixture next Sunday is Home to Rustington Otters in the League. |
