This is a derby match which both teams look forward to and with some players exchanging allegiances recently it made it all the tastier. Due to the winter weather and to avoid another postponement, the match left the Horsham area and was transferred to the new 4G pitch at Three Bridges FC in Crawley.
Coming into the match YMCA won a much needed away game last week with an impressive 4-0 hammering of AFC Varndeanians. Roffey came away with a 1-0 away victory against Peacehaven and Telscombe to keep up their hopes of catching leaders Hassocks. Both teams wanted a win and there was an edge to the game today from kick off.
The first half consisted of a lot of promise but without any reward, similar to my dating stage. There was plenty going on with last week’s match winner Gibbs getting forward for the Boars and Fernandes and Tolfrey causing the YMCA defence a few problems.
YMCA had their moments with Rodney Dos Santos and Asafu keeping busy trying to get through Roffey’s solid wall of defence. There weren’t any clear cut opportunities for either team in the first half but both sides had moments on top.
YMCA came out in the second half after some seemingly great tactical and motivational words by their Gaffer, Liam Giles. It only took four minutes for them to go 1-0 up. They attacked down the wing with Dos Santos, he found some space and put a dangerous cross in to the box. It created chaos and a defensive scramble which led to an own goal by an unfortunate defender.
Roffey tried their best to get back into the game but the visitors midfield was exceptional. The middle of the park was a battlefield and Roffey just didn’t seem to click on the afternoon. On the 75th minute, after a decent amount of pressure, YMCA doubled their lead.
Sam Ayolie got the ball out wide and played the ball across the area. It was too tempting for the keeper, Watson-Price who missed the ball. It fell to YM’s striker Kiarn Asafu who smashed the ball into the back of the net. The away team went crazy celebrating the second goal and knew the game was theirs to lose, the crowd of 160 people were loving the entertainment.
With just moments of the game left, Roffey were awarded a potentially controversial penalty. The protests fell on deaf ears and Dan Pearce was given the responsibility to take the shot and give Roffey a chance to get back in to the game. The experienced Pearce struck the ball with confidence and the keeper had no chance, 1-2.
With some half chances the game ended without any more goals or controversy with YMCA securing back to back away wins, and Giles spoke to Beth Chapman after the match:
“We worked on a game plan all week, and I’ve been to watch them (Roffey). At two nil up we should have put the game to bed, that was never a penalty. We changed things, we rotated because they are a good team. We are not here to make up the numbers and we’re looking to finish the season strong”.
The GWS Man of the Match went to the Horsham YMCA midfielder, Ashley Dugdale. The veteran player doesn’t let his team down and performed exceptionally well today. He’s a great example to the younger players that hard work and effort pays off.
Horsham are back in action on Tuesday evening as they host league leaders Hassocks FC (7.30pm). Roffey are next in action on Saturday as they travel to Midhurst and Easebourne.