Horsham were without Adam Hutchings and Patrick O'Sullivan for this fixture due to them being called up for Sussex Schools and Colleges so, with a little shuffle of the pack, George Magnus moved into centre midfield and Josh Clack and James Callaby played up front with new signing Jake Sawyer slotting in at centre back.

Eastbourne started the stronger of the sides and put the pressure on the Hornets defence but, as the Hornets settled down, they started to dominate play and in the 22nd minute Callaby played in a great ball to Clack who put Horsham ahead with a low shot.

As half time drew closer, Horsham were on top but as Lewis Reeves went to clear, the ball bobbled up and hit his elbow to present Eastbourne with a penalty. Holles slotted past Jamie Witham to level the scores at the break.

In a bizarre 3 minutes after the break, Eastbourne Town scored twice to put them ahead 3 -1 and give the young Hornets a mountain to climb. Horsham's determination and drive was not dampened in the driving rain and they played some great passing football. Andy Miller and George Magnus controlled the midfield and Horsham broke up most attacks from the away side.

Jack Peterson was introduced for Jamie May as Horsham battled not just the elements but the sliding tackles from Town. Hornets' Chris Copestake worked the left wing and cut in and scored to make the score 2 -3. Horsham seem to have most of the play and looked to be the more likely to score and were rewarded when George Magnus equalised in the 85nd minute and it was the Hornets who looked likely to find a winner but it wasn't to be.

Horsham Youth Travel to AFC Wimbledon in the League Cup Thursday 29th (at icy Banstead ko 7.30)