HORSHAM

Will Kerr

Goalscorers

HORSHAM 12 POLEGATE GRASSHOPPERS 1

Sunday 13th November 2011

Sussex County Cup

A first half hat-trick from Andrew Roberts helped Horsham ease their way comfortably into round three of the County Cup, running out 12-1 winners against Polegate Grasshoppers.

The scoring started as early as the second minute when a cross-come-shot from Roberts drifted over the outstretched hand of the unfortunate Polegate ‘keeper and nestled into the bottom corner. Harry Lee then shot wide when well placed after some good work from Will Kerr. The lead was doubled on eight minutes when Roberts was again on target, this time curling a left footed corner straight in. Further chances were created when Rueben Selby first did well down the right before flashing a great cross along the six yard box, and then when Oliver East did the same down the left flank, but no-one was on hand to apply the finishing touch.

Roberts then completed his hat-trick after twenty minutes when he was left unmarked on the penalty spot and easily slotted home, low to the ‘keeper’s left. The game as a contest was then pretty much over after twenty four minutes, when another through ball from Kerr was latched onto by Harry Lee and he calmly side footed past the onrushing Polegate stopper. To their credit, the Grasshoppers never gave up and had their first attempt on goal after half an hour when their striker hit a shot from the edge of the area that flew just wide.

Three further goals before the interval then followed. The first came after another cross from Selby down the right, Callum Nash this time on hand to tuck the ball away, before East tapped in after a corner from Nash was half cleared and the return back into the box from Roberts was flicked on by Lee to leave him the easiest of opportunities. The last action of the half was a free-kick from Roberts which fell nicely for Jordan Walser on the edge of the area, and he fired home into the bottom right hand corner.

H/T: Horsham 7 Polegate Grasshoppers 0

The Young Hornets got off to a flyer in the second half when some good work from Lee down the left found the unmarked Jared Ashmole, who side footed home with ease. Ross Williams then made it nine as he latched onto a ball over the top from Lee, finishing low to the ‘keeper’s right.

Grasshoppers then had a spell of pressure, forcing two corners and a good save from Tom Auston low down to his left. But the score line inevitably hit double figures for the third time in all competitions this season when Lee curled a twenty-five yard free kick into the top left hand corner.

The striker was then denied a third when a good turn and shot was tipped over by the ‘keeper, before Williams grabbed his second of the game following some good work from Nash, which left him the easiest task of tapping in from close range.

And it was the perfect dozen with three minutes left on the clock as Glenn Johnson latched onto a poor clearance before converting at the second attempt. There was still time for the visitors to get a well deserved consolation for their battling, a cross from the left being converted at the far post by an on rushing Polegate midfielder.