HORSHAM SQUAD

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Goalscorers

HORSHAM 5 Seagulls 3

Sunday 16th October 2011

Sussex Sunday Youth League Cup 2nd Round

Both teams began as brightly as the October weather and Horsham had to soak up some early Seagulls pressure. It wasn’t long before Horsham found the back of the net but their 3rd minute 'goal' was flagged offside and some end to end play ensued.

Seagulls then came close with a break down their right and a nice flicked on header found their winger in space to put in a dangerous low cross but, luckily for Horsham, Finn Bigg had tracked back and managed to clear to safety. Bigg was working hard down Horsham’s right, helping both defend and attack at pace, and combined well with George Matthews in the 8th minute to create a chance for Liam Clarke but his shot was slightly scuffed and curled narrowly wide across goal. Clarke was to prove a handful all afternoon for the Seagulls' defence and only some excellent defending from their captain, who could just about match him for pace, was keeping him in check.

Eleven minutes gone and Clarke forced a corner from the Seagulls captain which was taken by Bigg. It was cleared for a second corner and, this time, Bigg found Jack Reeves in the centre of the box who headed home firmly for Horsham’s opener. Seagulls bounced back and looked a threat down their left and with both Horsham’s central defenders beaten it took some great covering from full back Tom Summerfield to clear the danger. Summerfield had to repeat this shortly after and Horsham’s defence was looking slightly rattled.

However, Horsham’s second goal came just before half-time from a massive clearance from central defender, Louis Lewis. His pass reached Clarke who took a touch to control then slotted neatly into the corner; a nice way to conclude the first half.

H/T Horsham 2 Seagulls 0

Horsham made their substitutions, bringing off Kieran Wootton in goal, Nick Bristow and Finn Bigg, but Clarke picked up where he left off with a goal after brushing aside two defenders and finishing nicely low into the corner and Horsham appeared comfortable with their lead.

Seagulls weren’t about to throw in the towel though and almost pulled one back on 45 minutes. Horsham broke back through Charlie Belton who cut inside to find Clarke and he executed, what I have been informed, is a 'Bergkamp spin' but his shot went just wide. However, Seagulls did find the net two minutes later from a free-kick and then again, not long after, a further goal to make it 3-2 and Horsham needed to get back on their game.

Bigg and Bristow returned to the field of play for Matthews and Belton and Horsham tried to step things back up again. A corner was won, taken short by Bigg to Ali Kerr who whipped in a terrific high cross but this was cleared. Seagulls then retaliated with the equaliser on 54 minutes and the game was all square. Thoughts of a penalty shoot-out came to mind and Horsham’s nerve was being tested.

The lads held strong and a great through ball from midfielder Hugo Cowan reached Bristow who ran onto it and calmly volleyed across goal to give Horsham back their lead on the hour. Ten minutes left on the clock and this was going to be a tense finish, but 6 minutes later, Bigg was bundled down inside the box after beating two defenders and Horsham looked for a calm head to take the penalty. Cowan stepped up and finished very coolly high into the net to return the spectators’ pulse rates back to normal.

Well done lads but I blame you all for my rapidly greying hair!

Adrian Carter