Crowborough came into the match after grabbing a late 2-2 draw with Bexhill United in midweek whilst YMCA went down to league leaders Hassocks the night previous, the ground staff at the Herbert Direct Stadium worked wonders to get the game on.

The first half was dominated by the visitors and on the eighth minutes they had a one on one with the keeper, but Jordan Brown made a great save.
As the game went on the pitch become sticky and squelchy which made it difficult for both sides to play it on the ground.

After 19 minutes, YMCA had their first decent effort, they attacked down the right, the ball came to Alfie Jones who struck it first time. The ball flew wide of the left upright, but it showed that YMCa were making opportunities.

On 23 minutes Horsham had a corner, it was hit high and curled towards the goal, players attempted to get it over the line but somehow it was kept out, YM were claiming a goal but the lineman disagreed. Marney and Smith-Joseph combined well together for the home side but were feeding off scraps all game.

As halftime approached, YMCA’s defence lost concentration and on 42 minutes the Crows went ahead. Grant lost possession, Crowborough came forward and had a shot parried by Brown, the ball bounced a metre out and Harry Forster tapped home, Alfie Lambden assisted. Just two minutes later Crowborough doubled their lead, Forster scored his and the Crows second of the game after the shell shocked YMCA left a gap at the back, with Connor Pring assisting.

The second half kicked off in much the same vein. Crowborough pushed forward  and after 50 minutes were awarded a penalty. Harry Forster took responsibility and completed his hat trick by smashing the ball into the back of the net.

The game was decided in the last five minutes of the first half and the first ten minutes of the second half. This time it was the skilful Marcus Goldsmith who made it 4-0 on the 54th minute, he was played the ball by Forster and finished well, putting the game out of reach for YMCA.

YM’s manager, Liam Giles spoke to Beth Chapman after the game;
‘The first word that springs to mind is embarrassed. Today we were lucky to go in two nil down (at halftime), it could have been 4 or 5. It was unacceptable, people giving up and not running’.

‘If there’s much more of that going on there will be changes. We changed shape at half time, it didn’t really work. Mentality was all wrong. We’ll now work towards Newhaven’.

The GWS Man of the Match went to the blond bomber, Harry Forster for his all round contribution and of course his hat trick. He is a very important player for a strong and well organised Crowborough Athletic team.

After today’s victory Crowborough are now two points behind second placed Roffey whose game at Midhurst & Easebourne was called off due to a waterlogged pitch

Next up for Crowborough is an away Quarter Final match against Eastbourne United in the Peter Bentley Challenge Cup on Tuesday evening while Horsham YMCA are at home to their old friends Newhaven on Saturday.