Lowly Trojans up for the battle to end wasteful Horsham’s run

Hockey. South Premier Division 2: Horsham v West Hampstead. Cirdec Atkinson in action. Pic Steve Robards SR1523812 SUS-151210-145018001

Top of the league at the pushback, Horsham were thoroughly frustrated by the previously pointless home side.

That said with only one conversion from 10 short corners, and with a missed penalty, Duncan Howarth’s men had only themselves to blame.

Trojans set out to defend with a high press and the visitors initially struggled to gain control on a bouncy pitch.

A scrappy first half ended 0-0 with Horsham rueing a succession of missed chances, while when shots and flicks were on target the Trojans keeper, playing like a man possessed, kept them at bay.

Horsham coach Dom Male told his troops that the pressure was sure to tell – and 10 minutes into the second half his forecast proved true when at a switched short corner routine Cirdec Atkinson beat Trojans keeper with a low flick.

Celebrations were short lived however as minutes later Trojans converted their first short corner of the game after the ball rebounded off goalkeeper Andrew Isaacs’ pads.

Horsham didn’t let their heads drop and 10 minutes from the end Atkinson was bought down by the keeper when clear on goal, but Howarth put the penalty stroke wide of the post.

Trojans’ keeper had a charmed life and was justifiably man of the match,’ a circumspect Horsham manager Al Campbell said.

He added: “When the penalty went nowhere near the goal he must have thought Christmas had come early. It was one of those days when the ball didn’t seem to want to run for us.”

This Saturday, Horsham welcome Tulse Hill and Dulwich to Broadbridge Heath.

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