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We are now three months into the season so time for a
small round up of this season's squads (these notes were
written on 3rd December).
Horsham U14s have started the season off
extremely well, winning all but one of their fixtures in
the Sussex Sunday League, Sussex County Cup and League
Cup which is no mean feat as the opposition are stronger
in this league but the lads have adapted to the new
challenge fantastically well under the guidance of
Richard and Jason. In the Sussex County Cup they have
won both 1st and 2nd round ties which puts them in a
great spot to continue through to the final stages. The
League Cup performances have been great with the team
progressing into Round 4 while Liam Clarke has been
scoring for fun and already has 13 goals to his credit.
Horsham are sitting at the top of the table but Hove
Park Colts are hot on their heels, only a point behind.
Horsham U15s have seen most of last season's
squad stay together and Barry and Duncan have worked
wonders with them as the lads go from strength to
strength. To date, the side has played 7 league games
and sit at the top of the table with a fantastic 17
points, as well as continuing to make progress in all
the cup competitions. The teams around them are not far
behind but Horsham have games in hand. The squad are in
a large league this season and it will be tough to get
all the games in so lets hope this glorious weather
stays with us so we don't lose any football over the
winter months. Callum Nash is red hot in front of goal,
scoring 15 goals so far, but his team mates are also
firing on all cylinders with 12 goals from Andrew
Roberts and Harry Lee with 9. The lads are through to
the 3rd round of the Sussex County Cup and play Worthing
Minors Youth who they beat 5-0 in the League Cup,
another cup in which the team is doing well having
reached the 4th round.
Horsham U16 are now under the management of Dave
Waller and Andy Hole following the departure of Ian
Meadows at the end of last season. The current campaign
has also started well, in this their 2nd season in the
Sussex Sunday League, winning their 4 league games far.
Their league progress has been stop/start due to some of
the lads being called up for the County's U16 Reps side
and cup action, which is fantastic achievement for all.
The lads are progressing nicely through the Sussex
County cup Completion and are through to 3rd round after
beating Eastbourne Utd Colts with the League Cup also
proving fruitful The squad are currently sitting 2nd in
the league with games in hand. Zak Comber is top scorer
for the side with 11 goals, with Jake Legrange 6 and
Harry Smith with 5 goals. A number of the U16s have been
brought through to the U18 squad and have been a credit
and have shown that they can cut it at Ryman Youth
League level .
Horsham U18 manager Ivan Raby and coach Alex Barron
have had a tough start to the Ryman Youth League and cup
campaigns this season and are at the wrong end of the
table but the young side have been working hard and hope
to change their season around as they go into the New
Year. The side has won through to the John Ullman Cup
2nd round (a competition they were invited into by the
Kent League). With the Floodlights lights going up at
Broadbridge Heath this means the side can move back to
their temporary home in the town instead of having to
travel out of the town to play their league games, which
is great news even though its looking short lived with
the possible closure of the Leisure complex. We will be
playing some games at Three Bridges, when it is
available, and some at Broadbridge Heath so we can
complete the season. On the plus side, some of the squad
have been involved with the 1st team, which is fantastic
for the lads, and lets hope under the new management of
Hugo that this continues. Dean O'Keefe scored his 1st
goal for the senior side away at Hendon to secure a draw
for the side. All the U18s who have gone with the 1st
team have been a credit to the Youth Section and the
same applies to the U16s who have stepped up to U18s
level. Zak Comber is top scorer with 5 but all the lads
have done exceptionally well at Ryman Youth level which
is a massive jump from their Sunday football.
Horsham 1st Team are also having a torrid time and can't
seem to buy a point at the moment and are also at the
wrong end of the table, with a second new manager taking
over the reigns in Hugo Langton, assisted by coaches
Craig Wilkins and Ivan Raby and Goalkeeping coach Alex
Barron. With the money restraints at the Club we hope
that Hugo maintains his belief in the youth in the same
way that Justin Luchford did as we will only keep, and
attract, the most talented lads to the Club if we
continue to show them there is progression though the
Club and the Youth players have a chance of playing for
the Home Town Club.
Finally a big thank you to everyone involved in the
management and coaching of the sides and all supporters
of the youth sides. We could not run with out your
commitment and hard work.
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