'Good, disciplined performance' sees Horsham YMCA record first home win in three months

Peter Buckland praised a ‘good, disciplined performance’ from Horsham YMCA as they picked up their first home win in almost three months in a 1-0 victory over Pagham in the Premier Division on Saturday.
By Matt Pole
Published 19th Feb 2019, 11:33 BST
Updated 19th Feb 2019, 12:44 BST
Horsham YMCA's Dean Bown in action in their 1-0 home win over Pagham in the Premier Division on Saturday. All pictures by Steve Robards.Horsham YMCA's Dean Bown in action in their 1-0 home win over Pagham in the Premier Division on Saturday. All pictures by Steve Robards.
Horsham YMCA's Dean Bown in action in their 1-0 home win over Pagham in the Premier Division on Saturday. All pictures by Steve Robards.

This was also YM’s first league win in just under a month, reviving their slim hopes of promotion.

The Gorings Mead-oufit stay fourth but trail first-placed Chichester City by 13 points.

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Buckland said: “Pagham, as usual, were very strong in possession and in the first-half I think it’s fair to say we edged it.

Horsham YMCA's Ollie Gill in action.Horsham YMCA's Ollie Gill in action.
Horsham YMCA's Ollie Gill in action.

“They changed formation, pushed three up top second-half so we adjusted accordingly and it was a good, disciplined performance.

SEE ALSO Buckland believes teams 'seem to raise their game' at Horsham YMCA as they look to rectify poor home form against Pagham | Leicester City's title-winning season can inspire Horsham YMCA amid rumours second-place could seal promotion | Horsham YMCA boss blasts 'horrendous decisions' in draw with ten-man Saltdean United

“From a tactical point of view it was very good from both clubs. It was a good game played in good spirits.

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“When you consider some of the teams that we’ve lost to at home it was a good result and a good turning point.”

YM's Alex Barbary battles in the air for the ball.YM's Alex Barbary battles in the air for the ball.
YM's Alex Barbary battles in the air for the ball.

The first-half was an even affair with YMCA spurning early chances. The hosts eventually took the lead on 22 minutes through Hartley after good work down the right but both sides cancelled each other out as the first 45 came to an end.

As the second period began, the Lions saw a header go wide before Alex Barbary failed to connect with an Adam Hunt cross.

Pagham fired another header wide and Dean Bown and sub Tony Nwachukwu both had attempts blocked by the Lions defence.

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Both teams wasted free-kicks before the end but YM claimed a gritty three points.

YMCA's Dean Bown contests for the ball.YMCA's Dean Bown contests for the ball.
YMCA's Dean Bown contests for the ball.

Buckland added: “We have, without crying wolf, had quite a few games where we did deserve something out of the game and got nothing.

“I thought it was going to go on forever. The referee played about eight-and-a-half minutes stoppage time.

“Eight-and-a-half minutes and it’s 1-0 so anything can happen. A corner, a free-kick or something off someone’s backside. It was quite tense.”

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YM face AFC Uckfield Town in the semi-finals of the Peter Bentley Cup at Shoreham's Middle Road tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, before they travel to third-placed Eastbourne Town in the league on Saturday.

Horsham YMCA: Jeal, Carden, Evans, Gill (Nwachukwu 70), Harding, Mobsby, Hunt (Frankland 86), Barbary (Ryder 90), Bown, Gedling, Hartley. Unused: Gilbert, Batchelor.