Lots of things went wrong for Horsham in the build up to this game but the players got everything right on the pitch to come away from Imperial Fields with three points.

Manager Ivan Raby lost one player to sickness, an hour before kick off, and then arrived at the ground to hear that five players in one car were running late after getting lost on the M25. With just eight players Horsham requested a delay to the start of the game and, after discussions between officials, it was put back ten minutes to 7.55. With minutes to spare the missing famous five made it and after a quick change and brief warm up the game kicked off.

On a rock hard pitch Tooting tested the Hornets early on with a couple of shots from long range as well as trying to play the ball over the top but centre backs Tom May and George Magnus were communicating well with Tom Baxter in the Horsham goal and dealt with any danger. Both teams were finding it hard to get the ball down and play but United were clearly more used to the conditions and started to use the flanks in an attempt to get behind the Horsham defence. Both fullbacks, Adam Hutchings and Andy Whittingham, were kept busy as they blocked plenty of crosses and this resulted in a number of corners to the Terrors but, apart from one occasion when their forward was given a free header which went wide, the Hornets dug deep to clear the danger.

Horsham were under the cosh a lot of the time but when they were able to get the ball up to the front partnership of Tony Nwachkuwu and Elliot Hawkes they looked likely to cause problems. The Hornets were also on the rough end of some dubious offside decisions which even had the Tooting supporters shaking heads in amazement. With the Terrors gaining the upper hand it was no surprise when they went ahead after some good build up play in the 35th minute. Instead of dropping their heads, which the players have been guilty of after going behind at times this season, Horsham showed some character and Nwachukwu went close with an effort that just went over the bar. With just four minutes of the first half remaining the Hornets drew level when Pat Surlis broke down the left, cut into the box, and as the keeper came out to meet him Surlis picked his spot to send the teams in all square at 1-1.

Horsham expected Tooting to come at them early in the second half but it was the Hornets who settled quicker and started to move the ball well on the bumpy surface. As they found more time and space they settled into playing some good football with Jay Brynin and Dan Hutchings instrumental in midfield. Horsham brought on Karl Threadgold to replace Jordan Williams on the right wing as they continued to go on the attack. Tooting of course were always looking to use their pace but the Horsham back four were well organised and frustrated the Terrors forward line plenty of times.

Horsham began to have their best period of the game with good passages of play and in the 65th minute took the lead after Hawkes and Surlis linked up well before sending Nwachukwu through into the box were he held his nerve and finished well with a shot which found the bottom corner. Horsham, now in front, continued to press and could count themselves unlucky not to find a third goal. With ten minutes remaining, Alexander Green was brought on to replace Nwachukwu meaning the Hornets now had three under 16 players on the pitch. Green made an immediate impact and went close to settling the game but a fine effort just went over the bar. As the time ticked away the referee found some unexpected extra minutes as Tooting finished the game looking for a late equaliser. Horsham had two late scares to survive. First, thanks to a brilliant tip over the bar from Baxter and then from a shot which hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced on the line straight back up before being scrambled away. The final whistle went and the Hornets' good form continues as they have now taken seven points from the last four games.

Manager Ivan Raby was delighted with the result. " I was pulling my hair out before the game with all the problems, but fair play to the lads when they got on the pitch they gave everything, and worked so hard for each other and fully deserved the win".