Horsham played Sompting & Thistle away in the first league game of the season.

After finishing runners up to Sompting last season, it was always going to be a tough game to start with and the Hornets' task was made even harder by having only 11 boys available for selection. But they started well and went ahead ahead after just 3 minutes with a goal from George Hole.

Sompting kept on going forward but Horsham defended well until in the 33rd minute when the equaliser came.

Five minutes into the second half Horsham went down to 10 players when Stanley Rice pulled up sharply with what looked like a hamstring injury and had to come off. They continued to go forward, though, and were awarded a penalty when Alex Parsons was pulled down and Zak Comber converted from the spot.

Sompting then evened things up again after 66 minutes and then took a decisive 3-2 lead, 2 minutes later.

It was hard luck on Horsham as they played really well and can hopefully look forward to another good season.