Returning Dean's double helps Horsham find Trojans' Achilles heel

After struggling to find the net last week in their South Premier Division 2 match, Horsham were boosted by Dean’s return as he played havoc with the visitors’ defence.

The final scoreline belied the early exchanges, Trojans attacking a home defence still lacking coach Dom Male with a full-on press.

However a strong back line, marshalled by senior pro’ Dom Cohen, kept control of possession and ten minutes into the game a tremendous sequence of six passes the length of the pitch ended up with Cirdec Atkinson’s perfect shot past a stranded keeper.

The visitors continued to attack but once again Horsham countered, this time Richard Blakesley finishing the move.

Trojans pulled a goal back but, with half-time approaching, keeper Andy Isaacs toe-punted the length of the field to find John Burroughs who neatly trapped the ball only to be brought down by Trojans’ keeper. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Dean calmly converted the penalty.

Leading 3-1 at the turn Horsham became unsettled by a yellow card to full back Dan Humphreys and a few moments panic, when down to 10 men, saw the visitors net again. However, that was their swansong as Horsham took command, Burroughs cleverly converting a short corner and Dean running riot to score the goal of the match.

Horsham manager Al Campbell was quick to praise a team effort. He said: “It was great to have our top scorer back but this was composed performance by 15 top hockey players.

“We have a tough couple of six-pointer weeks ahead but we’re taking it one game at a time and hope to carry this form forward.”

Horsham are currently fourth in the league and the next two games see them away in London, first against Tulse Hill and then London Edwardians, who sit in second and first place.