Horsham's hopes for new season lifted after impressive win
With league fixtures starting on September 19, Horsham warmed up with a 5-0 victory over Old Williamsonians at Broadbridge Heath on Saturday.
The side will have felt unlucky to have been relegated from the Premiership last season to the South East open men’s division West but easily coped with their visitors from the Eastern equivalent.
Newly appointed skipper Sean Pearcy made it clear that pre-season games are always experimental saying ‘we had 17 and Old Willies only bought 11, and both teams were a mixture of establish first team players and some second team improvers – but you can only beat what’s put in front of you’.
The result revolved around a hat-trick from Lee McIlwraith, who opened his account within the first 10 minutes and sniffed out 2 more short range conversions before half-time. Pearcy scored the fifth, his short corner flick sliding past the opposing keeper’s right foot. But perhaps the most notable feature of the result was not only Ben Humphreys convincing conversion of a penalty stoke but the fact he assisted two of McIlwraith’s goals.
Towards the end of last season Humphreys, who has only just achieved senior status, finally started to fulfil his goal scoring potential – to the extent that at the end of the season he was scouted by higher division Tunbridge Wells and signed to continue playing in the premiership. Circumstances changed however, and he has chosen to ply his trade at his long-term home club.
If Pearcy’s side have one of the hottest prospects in the division leading their line up front, at the other end of the park they almost certainly have the league’s best net minder in Ollie Crossley, who made easy work of keeping a clean sheet in this game. Given that Crossley was worth 2 or 3 goals a match last season against much more serious fire power, teams in this division may well struggle to find a way past him.
If Humphreys and Crossly bring the youth, there is still plenty of experience in the side. ‘We’ve kept most of the defence and midfield, and essentially the spine of the team stays strong,’ remarked Pearcy. ‘The younger players from last year have grown in both skills and stature and we’ve recruited 4 or 5 new players I’m happy will fill the gaps.’
Next week sees the final pre-season friendly when the side visit Haslemere. The league season opens when Guildford 3s visit Christs Hospital in two Saturdays’ time.