HORSHAM

Ben Collier

Greg Gander

Connor Cushing

Harry Smith

Ryan Hallett

Zak Comber (Smallwood)

Dean O'Keefe

Ryan Kirkland (Moyo)

Joe Smallwood

Jack Surlis

Toko Moyo

Goalscorers

BOGNOR REGIS TOWN: Pearce(2) McCarthy

BOGNOR REGIS TOWN 3 HORSHAM 2

Wednesday 15th February 2012

Ryman Youth League (South Division)

Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis

Attendance: 63

For the second game running Horsham Youth came back from 2 goals behind in the second half only to suffer heartbreak and concede a third and leave the South Coast empty handed.

The Hornets side was the youngest to represent the club at U18 level for many years, with six U16 players in the starting line-up including three of the back four, but Horsham started the game well with Dean O’Keefe and Zak Comber looking dangerous up front. But the young, fast breaking, Rocks team caused plenty of problems with good counter attacking football and goalkeeper Jonny Burfiend was on top form with some fine saves.

On the excellent Nyewood Lane surface Horsham were encouraged to pass the ball as much as possible with Connor Cushing pulling the strings in the middle of the park. Bognor had their work cut out dealing with the lively Harry Smith on the right wing, who always looked likely to create an opening, but a clear cut chance was difficult to come by for the Hornets. Bognor continued to cause problems on the break and the excellent Ben Collier at left back was overworked with some fine defending as well as being quick to start attacking moves.

Centre Backs Greg Gander and Darian Clay were dominant in the ariel battles in a good hard fought game between the two teams, and debutant right back Jacob Waller also looked composed with the ball at his feet. Ten minutes before the break the opening goal came to Bognor and a shell shocked Horsham failed to show a reaction and, two minutes later, found themselves 2-0 down after failing to close the ball down. It was then a case of trying to hang on until the break as Bognor went forward looking dangerous but, with some wayward shooting, the score remained the same at half time.

H/T Bognor Regis Town 2 Horsham 0

The second half looked liked it might continue in the same vein in the opening minutes as the hosts were again the more lively team. But Horsham soon began to settle with Ryan Hallett in midfield becoming more involved in the game and starting to move the ball round the pitch with more intent. The Hornets were soon back in the game after a brilliant solo goal from Smith who, from just inside the Bognor half, waltzed his way through a number of Rocks players before finding himself one on one with the keeper who he beat with a composed finish.

Horsham were now the team on top with both Smith and O’Keefe making life uncomfortable for the Bognor defence and, minutes later, the scores were level after a scramble in which Comber poked the ball over the line. Now it looked like just one team could win as Bognor seemed to feel sorry for themselves but they managed to ride out the next ten minutes and settle again.

The game was won with about 20 minutes left when a good delivery from a Bognor corner was headed in from close range. Horsham were forced to make changes with injuries to Ryan Kirkland and Clay, so Toko Moyo went to right wing with Jack Surlis replacing the skipper at centre back. The Hornets never gave up as they searched for another equaliser and sent Smith into a more central attacking position with Joe Smallwood coming off the bench to replace Comber. But they could not find the opening they needed and the counter attacking Rocks were again guilty of some wayward shooting as they hunted for the killer goal. Eventually time ran out for the Hornets as Bognor claimed a big win over their rivals at the wrong end of the table.

Despite defeat Manager Ivan Raby was full of praise for his team. "Me and Alex have asked them to play a certain way and, on the times when it came off, we looked superb but it will take time and we have to be patient for it to come together. There is great talent coming through at the moment at our club and I believe there are a number of players who could break into the first team in the next couple of years."