HORSHAM

Goalscorers

LONDON FA U16 2 SUSSEX FA U16 3

Sunday 9th October 2011

South East Counties U16 Youth Championship

The Stadium, Upmister (AFC Hornchurch FC)

Attendance: unknown

Sussex's U16s found themselves in unfamiliar territory at Hornchurch by conceding 2 goals in the first 20 minutes, against a very physical London side. Despite trying to get their passing game going, all momentum was lost as we could not keep possession. This resulted in us allowing London time and space and, with two breakaways, London found the back of the net on both occasions.

At half-time, Sussex remained out on the pitch which seemed to have worked as we started the second half with a bit more passion and were rewarded with a goal on 47 minutes. A great individual piece of skill from an in-form James Fegany saw him go on a jinking run into the penalty area and hitting a low shot into the corner of the goal.

Invigorated by this goal things started to happen for Sussex all over the pitch, the back four started hassling and closing down their opponents, with some solid defending from the full-back pairing of Jacob Waller and Ben Collier preventing London from using their flanks while the midfield trio of Connor Cushing, Benji Allen and Jarryd Gilbertson continued to soak up the pressure from their opposite numbers by winning important tackles and stopping London from pressing forward.

Sussex were deservedly back on terms when Liam Lancaster, with some good work down the flanks, managed to get behind the full-back and slid a ball in for Charlie Dennis to tap in from close range, making it honours even on the 52 minute mark.

The remainder of the game was a tense affair with each side looking for the deciding goal and both sides having opportunities. It was London that looked more nervous, as they had been 3-0 up in their last game before losing it 4-3. In their last game, Sussex had been 2-0 up in Kent and, but for a couple of lapses in concentration, would have come away with all three points instead of a draw.

On this occasion, however, it was Sussex who took the honours with a stunning goal from Benji Allen, with only 4 minutes of the game remaining. He picked up a clearance inside the London area and, from close range, fired the ball into the roof of the net.

This was definitely a 'game of two halves' and, with the second half introduction of Johan van Driel and Charlie Dennis, whose passing ability stretched our opponents, we were able to bring this into our own passing and possession game which tired out the London players.

report taken from www.sussexfa.com