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Reporter: Richard Smith
March 3rd 1873 a famous day in history as it marked the day when the
U.S Congress enacted the Comstock law, which is still valid to this
day. The law covers the censorship of the written word be it in the
form of a newspaper article, a print or drawing and no doubt in my
case for a match report for the Horsham Under 18’s against Carshalton.
Lets see if the U.S Law Enforcement Agencies can track me down.
The tone of the game was set by the different approach of the teams as
they entered the field of play. Carshalton ran on with a distinct
South London swagger whilst Horsham strolled on with what can only be
called a West Sussex Amble. It was left to the ref and his two
linesmen to show the crowd of 52 hardy souls how it should be done as
their came out in the tightest pack of three formation seen on a
football ground ever. Maybe they had heard about Sky cameras being
down at Queens Street one time. Their effect of togetherness and
strength soon evaporated however as the linesman was spotted wearing
the thickest par of gloves available and the ref looked like he
weighed no more than three stone.
Horsham kicked off defending the cowshed end, which now sadly
resembles nothing more than a lean too, without the lean.
The first 20 minutes were a fairly scrappy affair, with neither team
being able to carve open a clear chance. The Carshalton striker Osa
Obamwony had the first of many of his attempts from long range that
either flew high and wide or dribbled into the keeper’s arms. He was
to make up for his wayward attempts with his feet by heading home the
game-defining goal in the second half.
On too many occasions during the first period the players from both
teams were guilty of over running the ball, of beating the first
player and then not being able to find a pass or simply running into
trouble.
Corners were cleared at the near post; shots skewed wide, defenders
got a foot in and cleared the danger and neither keeper was called
upon to make a save in anger. Carshalton slowly got their game going
and their power down the middle and speed down the flanks through
Ziyaad Hussein and Jake Whiteman started to prove dominant and Horsham
were struggling to get their usual passing game moving. They also
struggled to win the second ball allowing Carshalton free possession
on too many occasions. Ben Blisset wasn’t seeing the ball and having
to drop deeper to find it and Pat Surlis and Jordan Williams couldn’t
get involved. On the times that they did get through the Carshalton
midfield, defender Rhys Tunner got a foot in, a toe in, a knee in, and
other various parts of his body in and won the ball.
On 35 minutes the blonde haired flying Carshalton winger Jake Whiteman
surged down the left flank and in a mazy run beat two Horsham
defenders with ease. The run was reminiscent of Jesper Olsen in his
prime whilst at Man United however his finish was poor and reminded
the crowd more of the Olsen twins, a nice touch, good to look at but
with no real substance.
Moments after Jakes’ run Horsham’s Ben Blisset fired high and wide
after the whistle had gone and got his name taken by the ref. It was
deserved as the shot cleared the Queens Head Pub with ease however the
ref let himself down as in the second half a Carshalton striker tried
to repeat the feat and escaped punishment.
Horsham’s best move of the game came just before half time as a slick
one two through midfield put Jay Brynin into the area but his shot was
well saved by Adam Peck in the Carshalton goal.
So 0-0 at half time and with little to warm their hearts and minds the
crowd took solace in their refreshments .Den however, maybe still
reflecting on last Saturday premiership results didn’t seem amused
when asked for 4 sugars in a tea. I have no idea why?!
The second half kicked off and the first attempt was another one of
those long distance shots from the Carshalton number 10.This time he
took aim from Wiltshire and his attempt was saved just this side of
Reading. He followed up this attempt with a successful foul which
resulted a booking which to be fair looked a little harsh. He was to
his credit causing problems to Horsham with his strength and power in
the air.
As the second half moved on the game began to get stretched and both
teams forged a number of half chances. On 63 minutes a fine attempt at
a volley come scissor kick come over head kick come bicycle kick, well
you get the picture by Carshalton’s Ziyaad Hussein was cleared off the
Horsham’s line by Jay Brynin with the keeper beaten all ends up. It
would have been a wonderful goal.
The game always looked like it would turn up a goal and on 74 minutes
one came and it was an excellent effort as well. Carshalton captain
Aaron Huie broke from midfield and wriggled his way around 4 Horsham
midfielders and defenders .He should have been tackled but kept going
and as he stumbled into the area he swivelled and got his shot away
that went under Tom Baxter in the Horsham goal.
Horsham to their credit rolled up their sleeves and went looking for
an equalizer. It nearly came a few minutes after going behind as a
ball over the top landed at the feet of Daniel Hutchins and he managed
to turn and get his shot away which was dipping under the bar. As the
crowd drew breathe in the cold night air the Carshalton keeper sprung
up and tipped the ball over the bar for a fine save. Horsham then
wasted a good free kick position only for Carshalton to extend their
lead on 79 minutes from their own free kick. A ball into the Horsham
area found Osa Obamwony unmarked in and around the penalty spot. His
header wasn’t the cleanest but he got enough on the ball for it to go
in off the far post.
2-0 and Horsham had just over 10 minutes to get back in the game.
Their chance came moments later as a suspect handball decision
resulted in the referee awarding Horsham a penalty. The game that had
been fairly sterile in the first half was really coming to life. Ben
Bissett took on the responsibility and he hit a powerful shot to the
keepers’ left hand side. It was a nice height to save but Adam Peck
still had a lot to do as he dived full stretch to palm the ball out
and away to safety. It was a good save rather then a poor penalty.
Horsham’s evening went from bad to worse as following an accidental
clash in the area Horsham’s centre half Niall O’Hagan was left holding
his face. At first it wasn’t clear how nasty his injury was but one or
two of the players reactions told a different story. He was lead from
the pitch with more claret than Threshers running down his shirt .An
ambulance was called as it was revealed that he had suffered a
suspected broken nose and as severe and deep gash that would require
looking at. We wish him well.
After a considerable hold up play resumed and the mood was lightened
up slightly, by the Carshalton number 10 who took such a mighty swing
at the ball, which he missed by a mile, that he fell over in a
crumbled heap. Even the Carshalton bench afforded a snigger that would
have made Mutley proud.
The game drifted into many minutes of injury time with both teams
still looking to create openings and Carshalton nearly extending their
lead with a chance late on that was turned over by the Horsham keeper.
As the final whistle blew Carshalton took the spoils in deserved
fashion whilst Horsham can be proud of battling right to the end.
NEXT MATCH: v Tooting &
Mitcham United (a)
Thursday 6th March ko 7.45pm |
