Pamment double helps Hornets overcome United '˜banana skin'

Kieron Pamment put the Hornets ahead on the stroke of half-time and added a second in the second half, before substitute Evan Archibald hit a late third at Eastbourne United.

It was a hard-fought game against their in-form hosts, who could do their Eastbourne Town neighbours, who won 4-0 at Horsham YMCA, no favours.

Horsham now need just four points from three games to seal the title and promotion, they could do at home next Saturday.

They travel to strugglers Hailsham Town tonight, before hosting the same side at Gorings Mead in four day’s time.

Di Paola said: “It was always one I was a bit worried about losing. It was a banana skin as they are always set up well down there, the pitch isn’t great and it can be blowing a gale.

“There were a few things and because we are short of numbers we don’t have the option to change things.

“I was pleased to get it out of the way to be honest. We did well, especially in the second half when we really controlled the game. I think we warranted 3-0 even though the goals came late.

“I was really pleased and think we were a professional as we could have been.”

James Shaw smothered an early chance at the feet of Liam Baitup, before a lengthy delay as Kieron Pamment high boot cut the head of Zac Dove, who was replaced a taken to hospital.

It was one of the only talking points of a poor first half with the pitch making passing for both sides difficult, with Horsham failing to work their posses ion into goals.

They did go close when Pamment powered into the box to collect a long ball and he cut inside only to see his left-foot effort come back off the post.

The visitors did lead however soon after in the third minute of added time as Pamment this time converted at the far post with tap home from close range.

Mark Knee went down in the box early in the second half under a challenge but the referee waved away penalty appeals, before Terry Dodd shot was straight at the home goalkeeper.

Dodd then spurned another chance after Kevin Keehan’s pass spotted Evan Archibald in the centre of the pitch in space and he dinked a through ball into the path of Dodd, but his effort was again saved.

Ashley Jones headed wide of the post from a free-kick, before Horsham made the points safe late on.

From a United corner, Joe Shelley broke and found Bradley Lewis who in turn rolled the ball forward to Pamment and he applied the finish by rounding Callum Christie to slot into an empty net.

Horsham added the gloss on the victory deep in stoppage time as Ryan Storrie got the ball to Archibald who broke the offside trap and walked the ball into the net.

Horsham: Shaw, Duncan, Jones, Farmer, Knee, Pamment, Shelley, Keehan, Lewis, Boswell, Dodd. Subs: Archibald, Atkinson, Chadwick, Storrie.