Report by Richard Smith

Horsham put in a really spirited performance in this, their opening Ryman Youth League match of the season, and can be very proud of their overall performance, despite losing to a very talented Lewes team.

The game stated with both teams passing the ball around neatly but, with 20 minutes gone, no real openings had been created.

Lewes were fielding an older and physically stronger looking team but the Horsham youngsters more than matched their opponents up until around the 30 minute mark when a break down the right saw the Lewes striker shoot from an angle and the ball found it's way into the net via post and maybe a Horsham defender from a tight angle.

Lewes dominated the remainder of the half and it was obvious Horsham had to hold out until they could get their a half time pep talk. Unfortunately they were unable to do so due to two excellent goals by Harvey Storer, a player who was the class act on show all night. Both goals were really good finishes, in particular one from 20 yards plus which was a cracker.

At 3-0 down at the break you slightly feared for the lads in the second period but I guess a special Ivan half time team talk had the yellow and greens tearing into their opponents from the off, hitting the crossbar from distance and forcing two rash challenges by Lewes defenders, both of which resulted in bookings

To Lewes' credit they kept getting the ball down and playing and the second half turned into a really good spectacle with both teams looking to find the target

It was Lewes who scored next through Storer again as he broke clear and clipped a lovely chip over the onrushing goalkeeper into the net for a top class finish to complete a top class hat-trick. The boy has real talent.

Still Horsham went forward in search of the goal they deserved and, with just 3 minutes remaining,  good link play forced a corner from which a penalty was won for an apparent tug on a home player. Patrick O'Sullivan duly converted from the spot.

Fearing that Horsham might have the final word seemed to collectively force Lewes to break forward and they finished the game with a 5th on full time.

A good game , both teams emerging with credit and a fine display by master Storer.