Horsham YM hop across Channel – but can’t make leap into play-off final

They lost on a tough away trip to the Channel Islands to take on third-in-the-table Guernsey, whom they’d already beaten twice in the league.

The prospect of having to beat strong, ambitious Guernsey for a third time with their massive home advantage at their state-of-the-art Victoria Park Stadium to get through to the play-off final was fairly daunting.

But by Guernsey’s own admission, YM were unfortunate to go into the break a goal down – even if the second half was another story.

Guernsey started brightly, threatening the goal in the opening seconds when a probing Charlton Gauvais cross was negated. Shortly it was the hosts’ turn to be worried when keeper Josh Addison was relieved to prevent YM scoring after Jesse Sentamu had skirted him with Gil Hunter back on the line to head the shot away.

Then YM keeper Sam Freeman was in action to thwart a Sam Murray header. But, after a quarter of an hour YM really stepped up with Addison having to be at his best to prevent Sentamu before Leon Fisher rounded the defence, but, cruelly the ball hit the post to be scrambled away.

Richard Pingling unleashed a low strike to no avail before Will Fazakerley was off target for the Green Dragons.

With YM continuing to press, Pingling broke through but was denied by the outrushing Addison. Against the run of play, just before half-time Guernsey went in front when a looping cross found Fazakerley’s head.

After the break Guernsey established control, coming close to going further ahead with Murrray soon testing the defence, and they doubled their lead just after an hour when Fazakerley jabbed the ball home.

Withing ten minutes, Guernsey broke YM’s hearts, Matt Loaring firing in off the post with Freeman’s diving effort unable to pull off the save.

A late YM header jangled Guernsey’s nerves, but in reality the result was no longer in doubt, extracting revenge for YM’s previous victories.

YM boss Liam Giles told the County Times: “We’re really, really disappointed, of course - Guernsey have an excellent home record, but we should have been two or three up at half-time after all the opportunities we created. Earlier in the season those sort of chances were going in.

"We’ve learned a lot this campaign and we’ll have a break now, reset and get ready to go again.”

Guernsey manager Tony Vance admitted YM were in charge before half-time but added: “We put on a real show, but we’ve only got the job half done.”

In the other play-off semi Peacehaven and Telscombe beat Haywards Heath by the single goal of the match and must now go to Guernsey on Sunday for the final to decide the second promotion spot after Steyning went up automatically as champions.