Late penalty miss condemns Horsham to defeat at ten-man Cray Wanderers

Dominic Di Paola admitted he has now ‘lost count’ of how many penalties Horsham have missed this season following their 2-1 defeat at play-off rivals Cray Wanderers in the BetVictor Premier Division on Saturday.
Lee Harding was on the scoresheet as Horsham were beaten at ten-man Cray Wanderers on Saturday. Picture by Steve RobardsLee Harding was on the scoresheet as Horsham were beaten at ten-man Cray Wanderers on Saturday. Picture by Steve Robards
Lee Harding was on the scoresheet as Horsham were beaten at ten-man Cray Wanderers on Saturday. Picture by Steve Robards

Harry Mills’ late penalty kick was stopped by Wands keeper Lewis Carey to deny the Hornets a share of the spoils.

The hosts had seen Ben Mundele sent off on 13 minutes after two yellows.

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But ten-man Cray went ahead on 24 minutes after Dylan Merchant was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.

The division’s top marksman Joe Taylor made no mistake from his spot kick.

A marvellous curling effort from Rhys Murrell-Williamson doubled the Wands’ lead on 27 minutes but Lee Harding reduced the deficit two minutes later.

Horsham threw the kitchen sink at Cray in the second half but came up against a solid Wanderers defence.

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But, with eight minutes to go, the Hornets were handed a lifeline.

Lea Dawson was fouled in the area and a penalty was awarded.

Mills stepped up but his spot kick was superbly kept out by Carey to take a massive three points for Cray.

Defeat sees Horsham drop to fifth in the table.

The Hornets occupy the last play-off spot but are just a point ahead of place-below Carshalton Athletic.

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Di Paola said: “We were causing them lots of problems and I was really pleased with what we were doing in that early spell.

“You could say the sending off was a little bit soft. The first booking was his first tackle of the game but the second one was a clear booking.

“The referee then gives the softest of soft penalties and then off the back of that they scored an absolute worldie.

“It was then just all us for the rest of the game.

“They’re a good side. You look at that bit of magic for the second goal, that’s what gets you into those winning positions.

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“Doubly disappointing was the penalty miss. They were hanging on at that stage.

“If we scored that penalty we might have had the opportunity to go and win the game.

“It’s another penalty miss. I’ve lost count of how many we’ve missed now.”

Horsham: Bentley, Metcalf (Merchant 12), Sparks, Kelly, Shelley, Mills, Brivio (Smith 60), Dawson, O’Toole (Roberts 67), Cundle, Harding. Unused: Charman, Miles.

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