Defeat at Eastbourne is a blow for Horsham YM – but result is not story of the day

The hosts exacted revenge for YM’s home victory in November – albeit by the single goal of the match – while other results moved YM down to fifth. And, as reported, there was a dramatic, unsavoury ending to the game with as-yet-unknown consequences.

On the artificial pitch at the impressively renovated Oval Arena there were early skirmishes at either end, and a near miss for YM, but the hosts took the lead in the 13th minute when Joe Overy converted T’yano Wilson’s cross.

With Eastbourne playing similar counter attacking football to YM and looking threatening in attacks they had the ball in the net from a header, but offside had already been called.

Five corners were traded – three for YM, who’d had a glancing header pushed away and a long range shot safely gathered by Eastbourne keeper Alieu Secka.

More corners came and went, Eastbourne firing across the goal and a diving save stopping a YM header. Then, just before the break YM scrambled away another foray before Dan Webster’s long-range blast was just wide for YM.

A goal down, YM restarted positively with a corner being hooked past the goal and another attempt finishing adrift. United were defending valiantly, averting a left footed attempt ahead of chaos descending with time swiftly evaporating.

Then – uproar. Racist abuse was directed at YM skipper Gideon Acheampong, who left the pitch to confront the culprit, and was fully supported by his teammates.

As a result of the ensuing melee five red cards were issued and the YM players were taken off the pitch by manager Liam Giles to cool the situation.

Some felt the game could have been abandoned, but play eventually restarted in fast-fading light with YM striving for the equaliser in cup tie fashion, only to be shaded 1-0, Giles telling the County Times: “The game was marred by what happened, but United are a good team enjoying a long unbeaten home run – and they took their chance.

“Losing, plus results elsewhere haven’t helped us, but there are a lot of games still to come so we’re still in a good position.”

Each side has issued a statement emphasising that they are inclusive clubs deploring the incident, and there will now be an FA investigation with potentially serious repercussions.

On Saturday YM return to East Sussex to play Little Common, then on Tuesday (10th) they’re back at Gorings Mead for a rearranged game against Midhurst & Easebourne. YM beat both - from the lower half of the table – 3-0 earlier in the season.