BURGESS HILL TOWN 3 HORSHAM 2

HORSHAM U18s:
Tom Baxter, Jamie Baxter,  Danny Bryant, Andy Whittingham, George Magnus, Niall O'Hagen, Michael Dale, Pat Surlis, Elliott Hawkes (Dean Wright), Matt Whiteford, Jay Brynin, (Danny Hutchings), Tony Nwachukwu (Jordan Williams)
Scorer: Whiteford, Surlis

Horsham Youth went down to the odd goal in five in an exciting, if at times lacking in quality, encounter at Leylands Park. Horsham went into the match without four regular players and had Niall O'Hagen, a recent signing from Worthing, and Under 16 Hornet George Magnus both making debuts in a untried centre half partnership. Also making a first appearance in midfield was another ex Rebel, Jay Brynin, who had frustratingly waited nearly three months to pull on the Horsham shirt.

After the recent period of poor weather this was the Hornets' first game for exactly two months against a Hillians side who had played twice over the past fortnight and this was clearly evident as Burgess Hill made a fast start and, looking a lot sharper, soon had the Horsham goal under pressure. The Hornets had put in a number of good training sessions since the Christmas break but getting on to the pitch in the heat of a League match was proving a different matter and it came as no surprise when the Hillians went ahead after ten minutes following a long ball which was well flicked on for McDonald to put the ball past Tom Baxter in the Horsham goal. It was clear that the hosts, tactics were to put Horsham under early pressure and it was paying dividends as four minutes later a crossfield ball was misjudged by full-back Andy Whittingham and the ball was whipped across the face of the box where once again Baxter was given no chance with a good finish from Lansdale and the Hornets found themselves two down.

Horsham were clearly struggling to find their way as the Hillians stayed on the attack and only a fine save from Baxter when faced one on one, and at times some scruffy but effective defending, kept the hosts at bay. After riding out this spell Horsham started to grow in confidence and started to put together some better moves and were denied a goal twice within a minute when first Elliot Hawkes' shot was cleared off the line and then, after a superb cross from Pat Surlis, a header from Hawkes forced the Hillians keeper to make a great reaction save as he tipped the ball over the bar for a corner. Horsham were now sensing that they could find a way back into the game and got their reward five minutes later when striker Matt Whiteford found the net from what seemed an impossible angle to end 330 minutes of misery in front of goal for the young Horsham team.

Horsham continued to keep the pressure on with Brynin and Michael Dale now looking dominant in the centre midfield areas. The Hornets were incensed when the referee turned down appeals after the Hillians 'keeper picked the ball up following what seemed to be a definite back pass from the full-back and both teams had a couple of half chances before they went in for the break with Burgess Hill leading 2-1.

The start of the second half saw a scrappy period of play as both sides looked for the next vital goal. O'Hagen and Magnus both looking assured at the centre of the Hornets defence, clearing danger a number of times in a confident manner. Horsham then began to take more control of the game and were starting to force the Hillians to defend deeper. Tony Nwachukwu on the left flank was causing problems for the home team's defence and a number of free kicks were won as the winger confidently took on the full-back. The Hornets came close a few times before manager Ivan Raby had seen enough and sent on top scorer Dean Wright on to replace Hawkes as Horsham moved to a 4-4-2 formation. The substitution had an instant impact as, with his first touch, Wright won the ball in the air and flicked it to Whiteford who put in Surlis inside the box to finish well to level the scores.

With 25 minutes still remaining Horsham now had to fancy their chances of going on to take all three points but a lack of concentration, five minutes later, saw Burgess Hill once again go in front after a well worked move down the right. The ball was cut back across the face of the goal where Moreland was able to tap the ball home to make the scoreline 3-2. The Hillians now became more determined in their defending as Horsham once again went on the attack. Further changes were made with Danny Hutchings replacing the hardworking Brynin and Jordan Williams coming on for Nwachukwu. Horsham kept going forward although at times they lacked composure and were guilty of giving the ball away too much which frequently resulted in danger from the fast counter attacking Hillians who continued to look lively. With five minutes left it looked like the equaliser had come after another move involving Wright and Whiteford but this time an easier chance was somehow put over the bar by Surlis. Deep into injury time the Hornets won a corner and even sent Baxter forward, the delivery went to the near post where it was met by Surlis but he was unable to find the target with his head and before the goal kick could be taken the final whistle was blown.

NEXT MATCH: v Croydon Athletic (a) Wednesday 6th February ko 7.45pm