Horsham YM leave Dockers all at sea – now they’ll take to the air for play-off

Visits to Newhaven’s Trafalgar Road ground hadn’t gone well in recent years, and in their final league match of the season when Horsham YM returned to take on the Dockers they were soon trailing 2-0.

But, hats off to YM – they battled back to draw level and go on to win 5-3 – an impressive result against always-strong upper-table Newhaven, who’d beaten YM at home in October.

After an early free kick the rebound was well saved by Dockers keeper Roman Chiosa but, when the ball switched to the other end, a pinpoint cross was headed home by Ryan Blunt.

A YM corner followed, and a second free kick just outside the area, only for the hosts to score again when their legendary centre forward Lee Robinson centred for Blunt to head home in the 20th minute.

YM quickly responded as Richard Pingling scored from close range after a foray down the left flank. Reinvigorated, YM kept pressing, until, on the stroke of half-time Pingling netted again to equalise.

News came through from Guernsey that lowly Lancing were holding the Channel Islanders 0-0 and in the unlikely event of that becoming a result, YM could finish third and be at home to the islanders in the play-offs.

Restarting strongly, YM began with an immediate attack, the Dockers replying with two corners, until Ousmane Balde Dansoko ran the length of the field to supply James McElligott to give YM the lead from close quarters. That was shortlived, Ezra Roeg putting the Dockers level from the penalty spot.

Undaunted, YM soon went back in front, Pingling scoring from a set piece. Then Adam Adam hooked the ball home for YM to lead 5-3.

With 20 minutes remaining, Robinson missed a golden opportunity, ballooning over, before a late Dockers corner was scrambled away, but YM had finished their long hard season with two strong wins.

Boss Liam Giles told the County Times: “Back in July I said we were aiming for the play-offs and we’ve done it! Today, as we were already there, we started a bit flat, but we got back in it and put them under pressure.

"As anticipated, Guernsey beat Lancing, so we’ve got to go back to the Channel Islands – although we’ve beaten them twice this season, that won’t be easy, but we’ve just got to go there next Saturday and do it.”

At Christmas Haywards Heath looked certain champions, but when they wobbled, Steyning kept going, ending by carrying off the title by six points - with Lancing and Shoreham relegated.

In the other play-off semi Heath host Peacehaven & Telescombe, and, if they win, will remain at home to play the winners of the Guernsey YM tie. With still much to play for, if YM beat Guernsey and Heath lose, YM would host Peacehaven.