Horsham hockey season under way - and Brighton are beaten

With a blend of youth and experience, the men grabbed all three points against Brighton & Hove after a thrusting first-half display. An early attack earned a short corner, only for Zac Chinn to find the side netting. Freddie Campbell instigated another Horsham foray with Luca Yates, but a good reaction save prevented Horsham opening their account, before Sean Pearcey set up Chinn to go close.

A wave of Horsham attacks promised a home goal, which arrived just beyond the half-hour when player coach Andy Blood reverse-sticked in to round off a well worked move. Brighton responded but were off target before Horsham keeper Ben Beard rushed out and took a body blow to preserve the lead.

On the resumption Brighton were not about to concede and when they banged in an early short corner the outcome was in the balance.

Play was even until Yates laid off for Chinn to net the winner, with two Horsham shorts being averted.

Blood told the County Times: “This was a promising start to the season for our new-look side, but I’m disappointed with the shortage of goals. There are things we need to work on, but I’m very happy with today’s great win.”

It was different for the Ladies against rampant visitors Bedford. Injuries, university calls and other factors had deprived Horsham of the seven senior players. The visitors’ first goal arrived in the tenth minute, the second from a fortunate deflection, with the third resulting from a vibrant attack.

Shortly after the restart the ball was driven through for a soft goal and more damage was inflicted. ButHorsham kept pushing but the net was still not breached.

Late defensive lapses resulted in a 7-0 defeat, Horsham stalwart Fran Crossley said: “With our absences we knew this would be tough because Bedford are strong, but we’ll regroup.”