Horsham YMCA picked up a vital three points on Saturday afternoon with victory over fellow mid-tablers Wick.

The Dragons started the weekend just a point in front of their hosts in the Southern Combination Premier Division despite a 2-1 loss to Bexhill Utd last time out. The team from Littlehampton followed the River Arun up stream to face the home team who have been swimming against the tide.

YMCA have been struggling with form in recent weeks, however it all clicked together over 90 minutes, a great performance from a team with a lot of promise and a well deserved victory.

This league is brutal and you never know what each match will bring as this game proved right from the off. In the 8th minute Horsham’s Alfie Jones elbowed Charlie Robinson in the head as they challenged for a corner, the former escaping with a yellow card.

Just moments later James Thurgar was sent off for a dangerous challenge on a YMCA defender. This caused much debate between the teams and the referee decided he had to take further action due to the commotion with George Bingham also receiving a red card leaving Wick with just nine men and the rapids to deal with.

On 20 minutes, YMCA made their advantage count, the lively Elliott Romain cut inside from the right and a superb shot putting the hosts ahead.

The pressure continued and there was some great defending from Robinson, skilfully heading the ball over his own bar after Dean Lovegrove dinked a shot over goalkeeper Keelan Belcher.

The Dragons attempted a comeback and Dave Crouch met a Matt Whitehead free kick with an acrobatic volley which was saved by the keeper and behind for a corner.

YMCA came forward again and Belcher had to make a save low to his left. The resulting corner was drilled into the middle of the area and the fantastic Hayden Neathey leaped highest at the far post to head the ball into the net and double the lead.

The home side went further ahead in the final minute of the first half, Tom Hearn heading in the third of the afternoon, a terrific goal from a player with a great future.

With the Dragons down to nine players and losing 3-0 it was damage limitation for the next 45 minutes. YMCA created some problems and caused a great leaping save from Belcher, Romain went for the rebound but was booked for a challenge on Whitehead after losing out on the race for the ball.

The second half was played without much incident, likely to be forgotten just like Babylon Zoo after their number one song, Spacemen, the game ending 3-0 and a much needed morale boost for YMCA whilst Wick will dust themselves off and move onto their next challenge.

YMCA head to Crawley Down Gatwick next weekend, fresh from an 8-0 FA Vase win over league rivals Peacehaven & Telscombe, a tough game in prospect.