Horsham hit back to end Edwardians’ long unbeaten run and climb into third

The home side inflicted the visitors with their first defeat since last July after an impressive end to last year’s campaign and then took a fine run through pre-season into their league fixtures.

The 3-1 victory sees Horsham themselves get back to winning ways after their first defeat the previous weekend.

The three points has also seen them leapfrog Saturday’s visitors into third place in the South Premier Division 2 table.

London Edwardians came to Broadbridge Heath one point above the home team as a regular top-half team in the division.

The Horsham squad meanwhile was back to full strength with Joe Humphreys’ toe proving to have been badly bruised and not broken.

The visitors attacked from the off and goalkeeper Neil Burlinson showed his value as a shot-stopper on more than one occasion.

Horsham’s back four struggled to cope with Edwardians’ speed down the flanks and Burlinson failed to get enough stick on a shot and the ball hit the home team’s backboard.

It was the wake-up call they needed and the side fought back. John Burroughs’ powerful strike levelled the score with the team’s first shot on goal.

Clever play by Humphreys resulted in a short corner and Matt Hough converted his sixth drag-flick in five games just before the half-time whistle to give the home side a 2-1 lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, the umpire adjudged an Edwardian’s defender to have deliberately kicked a ball away in the D and penalty specialist Paddy Humphreys struck from the spot.

Last season at 3-1 up, Horsham might have kept on attacking, however, showing composure and confidence, the team reorganised and set out to defend the lead which proved to be a winning strategy.

Horsham team manager Al Campbell labelled the result as their best so far this season.

He said: “We’ve talked about how strong we can be in attack, but today the guys showed great maturity in tightening it all up at the back and closing out the game.”