All four of our youth teams were on the road this Sunday and returned with a mixed bag of results.
BURGESS HILL TOWN v UNDER-18s
SOUTHERN COMBINATION YOUTH LEAGUE – NORTH DIVISION
Horsham started brightly enough but fell behind to a goal in the 8th minute when the Hill number 7 went on a mazy run, and Horsham failed to put in a meaningful challenge to halt him. There was still an opportunity to clear as the player stumbled but he reacted quickest to regain his feet and poke in past Furber.
The Hornets thought they were level six minutes later when they tapped in from close range but the goal was correctly ruled out for an earlier offside infringement.
Horsham were then guilty of handing their opponents possession in the 19th minute and were made to pay as the Hillians quickly switched play left. The cross from the goal line was initially defended but Hill were quickest to the ball and it was crashed home from close range by number 11.
Horsham enjoyed some good spells but were too often let down by their final ball while Hill, with a two-goal cushion, were content to sit off and wait for opportunity to turn possession over.
On 38 minutes, Semark strode out of defence and covered 60 yards with the ball before feeding in a teammate whose first time effort was smothered by the Hillians ‘keeper.
Just over a minute later Burgess Hill extended their lead when a flighted cross from the right was claimed by their number 11 and turned in from six yards.
Half Time: Burgess Hill Town 3-0 Horsham
The hosts continued to pose a threat in the opening minutes of the second period, forcing Furber into two good saves, but it was the Hornets who next had a better chance as Semark did well to control a ball behind him only to see his effort go just over the bar.
Semark though redeemed himself on 55 minutes as he took matters into his own hands, surging into the penalty box and chipping over the ‘keeper from an acute angle.
Minutes later though Hill restored their three-goal lead when a clever through ball split the Hornets defence and their number 18 finished neatly.
The Hillians then extended their lead further after Furber had initially done well to save spectacularly, but he was helpless from the resulting corner as the Hornets failed to clear their lines.
Just after the 70-minute period Semark was unfortunate as he did everything right only to see his effort bounce back off the upright but two minutes later Smith did reduce the arrears with a smart finish from close range.
Hill then scored a quickfire double, one of which secured their number 11 his hat trick, before the Hornets were again found wanting as a centre from the right gave number 18 all the time in the world to take a touch and nonchalantly roll into an empty net.
In added-on time Smith then added further consolation as he flashed a rasping shot high into the net.
A dejected Jamie Irving spoke afterwards about ‘reflection and key learning points from the game’, while recognising that a young squad will have to face hurdles and adversity such as this on their journey.
“There is plenty for us to take away, and these are the areas we will look to work on moving forward”, said the manager.
Player of the Match: Dunning – An introduction during the second half, where he was positive and understood the strategy. Didn’t lose possession once and worked extremely hard to pin the full-back in his own half.
Full Time: Burgess Hill Town 8-3 Horsham
Goalscorers: Semark, Smith (2)
Report by: Shaun Scott
The under 18s begin their county cup quest on Sunday 11th October in a 10am kick off as they welcome Pagham Youth to Hop Oast.
CHICHESTER CITY COLTS WHITE v UNDER-15s
SUSSEX STAN BEATTIE MEMORIAL TROPHY – ROUND 2
Having defeated Withdean in the opening round, the Hornets were handed another tough-looking away draw in the County Cup when they were pitted against Chichester City Colts of the Arun and Chichester Youth League Division A.
The early exchanges were all in the home half, with the Hornets looking particularly dangerous down the left, where the pacy Herbert-Roche and lively wing-back Murray both looked menacing every time they ventured forward.
The Hornets took the lead when an excellent ball into the box was unfortunately turned into his own net by a home defender.
Horsham maintained the pressure, and with Chichester struggling to get out of their own half, they wasted two glorious chances to increase their lead. The Colts’ keeper also made some great saves to keep the visitors at bay.
However, with the impressive midfield duo of Meguidich and Martin dominating the ball, it was not long before Edwards doubled the lead, and Murray then made it three when he rounded the keeper.
Edwards then weighed in with his second, before the tricky Castle added a fifth on the stroke of half-time.
Half Time: Chichester City Colts 0-5 Horsham
With a comfortable lead, Horsham began moving the ball around with ease and Edwards soon grabbed his hat-trick before a lack of concentration then let in Chichester to grab a consolation goal from the penalty spot.
Castle again then made his way through the defence to further increase the score, after which the excellent Edwards added his fourth of the game.
With only minutes remaining the classy Castle bagged his third in what turned out to be a comfortable afternoon for Horsham.
Player of the Match: Murray – excellent going forward from the wing-back position, contributing a goal and two assists while hardly putting a foot wrong defensively.
Full Time: Chichester City Colts 1-9 Horsham
Goalscorers: Edwards (4), Castle (3), Murray, own goal
Report by: Quinn Murray
BOGNOR REGIS TOWN v UNDER-14s
MID SUSSEX YOUTH LEAGUE – PREMIER LEAGUE
A beautiful sunny day on the south coast provided the backdrop, and perfect conditions for a great game of football as Horsham travelled to face Bognor Regis Town in their Mid Sussex Premier Division campaign.
The game certainly did not start the way Horsham would have wanted, when a mix-up in communication gifted Bognor an early goal after just three minutes, putting the Hornets immediately on the back foot.
To their credit, Horsham soon recovered and started to create some really good attacking opportunities.
Waves of amber pressure, in which the Hornets’ good football earned them a number of corners, could not be converted into goals and as Horsham committed players forward, Bognor broke quickly on the counter attack and doubled their lead following a really well-crafted passing combination between their forwards.
Half Time: Bognor Regis Town 2-0 Horsham
The Hornets reappeared for the second half with renewed determination.
The football after the break was excellent, with the visitors moving the ball around with real purpose, finding pockets of space in midfield, exploiting the wide areas and creating chance after chance.
Bognor’s goalkeeper was called upon on several occasions and produced some great saves to preserve his side’s lead, and when Horsham did eventually manage get the ball into the back of the net, they were then frustrated by an offside flag.
Despite the result, there was plenty to be encouraged by. Horsham continued to play football in the right way, kept creating opportunities and never stopped trying to get themselves back into the game.
It simply wasn’t to be for the young Hornets but they can take plenty of positives from a really strong second-half performance and a display that deserved more from the game.
A great effort from the whole team and another valuable learning experience in their development.
Full Time: Bognor Regis Town 2-0 Horsham
Report by: Tim Dexter
The under 14s next welcome Three Bridges FC’s Tandridge Youth League side to Hop Oast in the Sussex C P Mason Cup on Sunday 11th October.
TD SHIPLEY v UNDER-13s
MID SUSSEX YOUTH LEAGUE – PREMIER DIVISION
The Hornets made the short trip to TD Shipley for their third league game of the season, with the sunshine providing the perfect backdrop as the boys arrived ready to get started from the off.
The Hornets made the perfect start and took the lead after just five minutes. A Simon throw-in was flicked on by Burgess into the path of Shaw, who showed great strength to outmuscle the Shipley centre-back before calmly finding the back of the net to make it 1-0.
The Hornets continued to look dangerous, with Burgess sending a cross into the box which Shaw headed just wide of the goal.
There was plenty to like about the opening half, with the Hornets winning some great challenges and moving the ball with confidence and purpose. The defence communicated well throughout, controlling the back line and keeping Shipley from creating any clear-cut opportunities.
The midfield worked tirelessly, with Matthews noticeably mobile, making it hard for TD to maintain possession whilst also distributing the ball well and helping the Hornets create opportunities as they looked to extend their advantage.
Half Time: TD Shipley 0-1 Horsham
The Hornets started the second half with the same determination and continued to put the Shipley defence under pressure.
Topping did brilliantly down the wing before H. Brown got a shot away, but the Shipley goalkeeper reacted well to save with his foot.
The Hornets were now beginning to pepper the Shipley goal without quite finding the finishing touch to add a second. Around 15 minutes into the half, Wickens made an excellent challenge to create another opportunity, but once again the Shipley goalkeeper produced a fine diving save.
H.Brown went close again shortly afterwards, with another effort testing the goalkeeper as the Hornets continued to search for a second goal.
Eventually, the pressure paid off. Simon played the ball through to Shaw, whose effort was stopped on the line by a Shipley hand. The referee awarded a penalty and Shaw stepped up, remaining calm and composed to slot the ball into the right-hand corner and double the Hornets’ lead.
Shipley were then awarded a controversial penalty of their own, but the resulting effort was sent high and wide, allowing the Hornets to maintain their two-goal advantage.
The final changes saw Wickens deployed up front. With the Hornets putting the TD backline under continued pressure, a goal felt certain but again the opposition keeper made important saves to keep the score down.
The Hornets’ defence continued to work tirelessly to keep Shipley away from goal, while the midfield remained composed on the ball, Pestell continuing to distribute well and create opportunities for those in attack right through to the final whistle.
A very disciplined performance with the coaches praising the team, but also recognising strong individual performances. The Hornets showed good organisation, strong defensive work and plenty of quality in possession to secure another three points on the road.
McCrae was utilised in multiple positions and showed great versatility, but Simon rightly earned the supporters’ vote with a very tidy performance.
Player of the Match: Simon
Full Time: TD Shipley 0-2 Horsham
Goalscorer: Shaw (2)
Report by: Michelle Simon
The under 13s are back on home turf on Sunday 11th October as they welcome Seaford Town Black to Hop Oast.