Mixed fortunes for our four youth teams on the final September Sunday, as two squads went without kicking a ball and the other two were in league cup action.
UNDER-18s
The under 18s Southern Combination Football League side was without a game this week but will travel to Burgess Hill Town in the league on Sunday 4 October
SALTDEAN UNITED v UNDER-15s
MID SUSSEX YOUTH LEAGUE CUP – 2ND ROUND
With The Tigers being unable to raise a side, Horsham were awarded a walkover and progress to round 3.
Horsham will travel to Arun & Chichester Youth Football League Division A side Chichester City Colts White in the Sussex Stan Beattie Memorial Trophy on Sunday 4 October.
UNDER-14s v SHOREHAM
MID SUSSEX YOUTH LEAGUE CUP – 2ND ROUND
Horsham booked their place in the next round of the Mid Sussex Youth League Cup with an impressive 5-0 victory over Shoreham at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium.
The hosts started brightly and took the lead inside the opening minute following a sustained spell of possession.
After Horsham had patiently worked the ball around, Kyriacou found Stanley on the edge of the area and Stanley needed no second invitation, unleashing a superb strike into the top right-hand corner, giving the Shoreham goalkeeper no chance to make the save.
Horsham continued to dominate possession and doubled their advantage nine minutes later when a clever one-two between Kyriacou and Whittaker allowed Kyriacou to drive towards the box and, after beating several Shoreham defenders,he curled an excellent effort into the top left-hand corner.
With Shoreham struggling to gain a foothold in the game, Horsham’s pressing and interceptions repeatedly turned defence into attack.
The third goal arrived in the 21st minute following a well-worked move down the right-hand side where the ball found Kyriacou near the edge of the box and, after beating two defenders to reach the byline, he pulled the ball back to Whittaker, who applied the finishing touch from close range to give the Hornets a healthy lead at the break.
Half-time: Horsham 3-0 Shoreham
To their credit, Shoreham emerged for the second half with renewed energy and determination and while Horsham continued to enjoy the majority of possession, Shoreham competed strongly and looked to work their way back into the contest.
The home side eventually extended their lead midway through the second half when Nugent found Kyriacou on the edge of the penalty area, and he drove forward to finish confidently from a tight angle.
The Hornets rounded off their scoring shortly before full-time when a corner was only partially cleared and the loose ball fell kindly at the back post to Ross, who showed great technique to strike a brilliant left-footed effort into the back of the net and complete a comprehensive victory for his team.
This was a strong, all-round team performance that saw the hosts control large periods of the match, combining excellent possession football with clinical finishing to progress into the third round.
Full-time: Horsham 5-0 Shoreham
Goalscorers: Stanley, Kyriacou (2), Whittaker, Ross
Report by: Tim Dexter
UNDER-13s v WHITEHAWK
MID SUSSEX YOUTH LEAGUE CUP – 2ND ROUND
A depleted Hornets took on a strong Whitehawk side in the League Cup and, with just 10 players available, found it tough from the start with the Hawks showing just what a strong team they are.
Technically adept, moving the ball quickly with clean, sharp passing and putting Hornets under pressure from the off, Whitehawk made it difficult for the Hornets to get a foothold in the game in the early stages.
However, the Hornets grew into the game had their opportunities. H.Brown played in Wickens whose effort went just over the bar. Shaw then also tried to make something happen but was blocked off by the Whitehawk centre-back and was then unable get around his man, a theme that was repeated throughout the match.
Whitehawk though eventually broke the deadlock, prompting the Hornets to make a number of changes, with Shaw coming off and Wickens moving up front. McCrea was then introduced, withTopping moving into midfield.
Whitehawk then doubled their lead and things could have got much worse for Horsham had a handball offence not ruled out what would have been a third goal.
Half Time: Horsham 0-2 Whitehawk
The Hornets started the second half determined to get back into the game, with Shaw coming on for Wickens, and it was McCrea who came close for the hosts, firing a shot against the left post as they searched for a way back into the match.
Fine margins change games and, as can often happen after missed chances, the visitors further extended their lead.
The Hornets, to their credit, kept fighting and eventually got their reward when the ball broke to Shaw who, spotting the goalkeeper off his line, tried his luck with a long-range effort and sent the ball over the stranded ‘keeper to pull one back and give the scoreline a more balanced look.
This was a difficult game against a technically strong Whitehawk side and, despite the scoreline, there were plenty of positives to take from the effort and determination shown, particularly in the second half.
Players of the Match: H Brown and McEwen
Goalscorer: Shaw
Full Time: Horsham 1-3 Whitehawk
Report by: Michelle Simon
The under-13s are back in league action next when they travel to TD Shipley on Sunday 4 October.