|
Reporter: Richard Smith
On this day, April 21st, 1918, the German fighter ace Baron Von
Richthofen, known universally as the Red Baron, was shot down and
killed during the first world war. His untimely demise meant that he
didn’t get to publish his autobiography entitled Fighting to Fly,
Flying to Fight but if he had I am sure he would have taught the
values of “Keeping in a tight formation”, of “Flying in the face of a
storm” and of “Nicking three points when you didn’t deserve to”. It
would appear, based on last night's 2-0 victory over Maidstone United
that the Horsham Youth team are blessed with plenty of the Red Baron's
qualities.
The game kicked off under a lovely spring evening sky with Maidstone
kicking towards the now deserted cowshed end that witnessed such
scenes of jubilation and madness the previous Saturday. Tonight’s
affair seemed a lot more sedate in comparison, however those that were
late getting in or who decided to chomp on a bacon burger missed the
opening Horsham goal scored by Matt Whiteford after just 2 minutes.
Making his return to the team from injury, Matt cut in from his usual
wide right position and fired in an unstoppable cross-cum-shot that
flew over the head of the startled Maidstone 'keeper Luke Phillips to
give Horsham an early 1-0 lead. There was some debate amongst the 54
strong crowd as to whether the attempt was meant as a shot or a cross
however I think we should leave the verdict to Mr Whiteford senior who
commented “cross...defiantly a cross”. One hopes there is no unrest in
that household today.
The following twenty minutes witnessed a footballing feast as both
teams played with an honesty that was refreshing and with enough good
football to suit the purists. All that was lacking from both teams was
a little more composure with the final ball or the final shot. Chances
came for both teams with attempts from Horsham’s Pat Surlis, with a
weak shot from inside the area, followed up by an attempt by Tony
Nwachukwu who should have done better when one on one with the 'keeper
but he slide his shot wide.
Maidstone’s front two were proving a handful and, in number 9 Danny
Brann, they had a willing runner all night who can count himself
unlucky to have finished up both on the losing side but also without a
goal for his considerable effort. Maidstone were slightly guilty of
shooting from distance when there was a better ball on, especially as
they didn’t seem to have their special shooting from distance boots
on.
On 19 minutes Horsham could have doubled their lead as Tony Nwachukwu,
played in by Pat Surlis, chose to shoot from a tight angle rather than
play a ball across the area to the unmarked Elliot Hawkes who would
have had a simple tap in. Maidstone took note of the right ball as a
few minutes later a similar break saw the ball whizzed across the
Horsham 6 yard box by Brann. However there was no supporting player to
finish and a good opening when begging. Danny himself had a shot on
goal a minute later but again the ball was fired over the bar and, at
this point, Tom Baxter hadn’t been troubled in the Horsham goal
despite the open play from both sides. On 24 minutes the ball again
fell to Brann but his shot was kicked away by the Horsham 'keeper at
the near post for a corner. From the corner, the Jackie Charlton
lookalike, and Maidstone skipper, Robert Lyall caused confusion in the
penalty area allowing who else but Danny Brann to crash a powerful
header against the 'bar. The ball bounced down, didn’t cross the line
and was agriculturally hoofed clear by a Horsham defender.
Further Maidstone chances were created by Matthew McParland out wide
and Dave Lewis through the middle and the Horsham central pairing of
Tom May and Niall O'Hagan were having to work hard to kept the lead
intact. The pressure was coming from Maidstone and their high energy
levels and work rate started to nullify Horsham’s passing game.
Despite the Maidstone pressure chances still came Horsham’s way and
Nwachukwu was put though on 33 minutes for the second time in the half
but, again, his finish wasn’t to the usual high standard and his shot
slid frustratingly wide. His shot also seemed to frustrate the
programme editor from Amsterdam who, it seemed, was keen to witness
Tony’s Olga Korbet impersonation- he wasn’t to be disappointed on the
night though.
The half ended with more Maidstone pressure with Lyall firing over
from inside the area when well positioned and further shots from Scott
Ibbotsen and Matthew Garner but Horsham held out and went in at half
time 1-0 up.
H/T Horsham 1 Maidstone United 0
The half time interval proved uneventful although the clubhouse was
beginning to look bare as the many trophies and pictures had started
to come down as the reality of the end creeps a little closer. It will
be a sad day when the lights are turned off for the last time.
Maidstone, having finished the first half in the ascendancy, started
the second in exactly the same vein and, after an early attack by
Horsham’s Surlis that earned Maidstone’s substitute Scott Whibley a
booking for a particularly wobbly tackle, all the chances fell to the
team in white.
On 52 minutes, Brann put a glancing header wide. On 53, after a good
through ball by Colin Richmond, Dave Lewis fired over the top. And, on
54 minutes Richmond played in Lyall who shot wide.
Ten minutes later another of Maidstone’s substitutes, Miles Cornwell,
had a shot deflected wide and the resulting corner was scrambled clear
by the Horsham defence who were standing up to Maidstone’s forays but
who were under obvious pressure. You had the feeling that the next
goal would decide the eventual winner of the contest.
To help with defensive duties, Horsham brought on George Magnus and he
was soon helping out with some last ditch tackles as further chances
came and went.
On 67 minutes Maidstone made a further substitution and the crowd were
delighted to spot the son of Carlos Valderrama coming onto the pitch.
One wonders what he made of his humble West Sussex surroundings
compared to his more familiar Colombian stadium.
The pattern of the game continued with Maidstone enjoying the lion’s
share of the possession and again chances fell in rapid succession to
Matthew McParland and Lewis, and Baxter rushed off his goal line to
make a fine smothering save to keep Horsham in the game. You get the
impression Tom will be knocking on the first team squad door next
season.
As we have all seen over the years, missed chances can come back to
haunt the best of teams and, with the clock pointing at 83 minutes
played, Horsham secured the game with their second goal.
It was almost a mirror image of the first goal as a flashing shot by
Nwachukwu, as he cut in from the left hand side of the area, went over
the Maidstone 'keeper and in off the foot of the back post. Did he do
his traditional celebration? - Yes he did!
The last few minutes of the game were played out with a spate of
Maidstone bookings, as it appeared their frustrations got the better
of them, which was a shame.
The last shot of the game summed upped Maidstone’s frustrations as it
was blasted high wide and handsome by Brann although it was apt that
he was the player involved as he had played so well for the previous
90 minutes.
So Maidstone’s good run comes to an end and Horsham’s excellent finish
to the season continues.
It was also commented on that the Youth team are the best-supported
club in their Youth league so credit to the relatives and supporters
of the club – maybe their good football deserves a bit more respect
from within.
FINAL SCORE: Horsham 2 v Maidstone 0
NEXT MATCH: v Worthing (a)
Thursday 24th April ko 7.45pm |
