Just a point for Horsham despite Odunaike’s first goals

Gabriel Odunaike scored his first competitive goals for Horsham on Saturday (September 7), but the Hornets will reflect on two points dropped after drawing 2-2 at home to Chipstead.
Simon ColbranSimon Colbran
Simon Colbran

The home side slipped to ninth in Ryman Division One South after the eventful encounter with their Surrey opponents ended all square.

Manager Simon Colbran said he had challenged his players to win games like these if the squad are to meet their target of the play-offs in this campaign.

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He said: “I said to them, if we want to do anything this year, these are the kind of games you have got to win.

“That is no disrepect to Chipstead but if you want to do things, you have got to beat teams that are going to be in the middle of the table, at home.

“I just think we have got to be more clinical. Playing against teams like this, the defence can only take so much pressure, and I think we have got to kill teams off quicker than we are doing.”

On Non-League Day, visiting Chipstead began the better side, as winger Dan Moody went close three times in the game’s opening ten minutes.

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After five minutes Chris Kiganda squared for Moody, and his low shot was just cleared off the line by the scrambling Michael Hunter.

Moody’s next attempt was knocked onto the post by goalkeeper Hunter, and the Chipstead man then fired a long range effort that forced an athletic save from the busy Horsham keeper.

Chipstead took a deserved lead on 24 minutes. Antonio Simeone’s deflected shot hit the crossbar, and though Hunter somehow kept out Tyrone Pink’s follow-up, Moody was on hand to finally beat the resilient Hunter.

Horsham had started poorly but going behind seemed to wake the hosts up - Billy Dunn rounded Chipstead keeper Anthony Hall but could not find the finish from a tight angle.

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Dunn’s next contribution was to play a delightful long ball which took advantage of Odunaike’s pace, and the attacker kept his head to cooly beat Hall for his first Horsham goal.

Five minutes before half time Horsham took the lead. Jamie Cade crossed for Odunaike, who volleyed home from close range for his second goal.

Chipstead made it 2-2 after 57 minutes. The visitors capitalised on a misplaced pass and the offside flag stayed down, despite protests from the Horsham defence, as Moody fed Pink who supplied the simple finish.

Junior Gomez replaced Tony Nwachukwu, who was clearly upset by the change, and Horsham frustrations continued when Odunaike was sent through by the impressive Byron Napper - but this time the striker placed a tame shot straight at Hall.

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Colbran introduced Ryan Marriott, who rejoined the club earlier in the week, and the creative midfielder made an immediate impact, as his shot from the edge of the penalty area seemed goalbound but struck Cade.

On 86 minutes Horsham squandered their last good chance, when Marriott’s teasing through ball was scuffed wide by Cade.

A head injury to Horsham’s Scott Harris, described by his manager as a ‘bad cut’, is set to keep the midfielder out for a few games, and it led to an extended period of injury time.

Neither side could take advantage, but Chipstead almost won it at the death as Simeone’s free kick was beaten away by Hunter.

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Colbran explained how a tactical change improved the Hornets’ first half display, and welcomed the arrival of Marriott.

He added: “We changed it around after 20 minutes and it was obviously effective straight away - they were playing a high line and we needed a bit of pace up the top.

“We know what Ryan is all about - he’s a quality player, a matchwinner.”

Horsham’s next fixture is away to Peacehaven and Telscombe on Wednesday night.

Horsham: Hunter, Mitchell, B. King, J. King, Charman, Napper, Nwachukwu (Gomez 63), Harris (Varley 90), Dunn (Marriott 77), Cade, Odunaike.

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