Winning start delights Horsham boss Colbran

Midfielder Byron Napper’s goal on the hour settled the match and confirmed the Hornets best start to a season for several years following Saturday’s victory over Eastbourne Town.

“The whole trip was good for team spirit, it all ran like clockwork and we went over and got the three points so I couldn’t ask for more,” a delighted Colbran said.

“Not many teams will go there and get a result this season. They’re a good side but we went over there with a game plan and it paid off.

“I know they were playing a level below last year but they were beating teams 4-0, 5-0, 7-1, scoring goals for fun and I understand they’ve only lost four games at home in their three years, and two of them were in that hectic run of games at the end of last year as well.

“We played brilliantly, it’s not like we went there and nicked the result, we probably had 65 per cent of the possession and some of the football we played on a difficult pitch was unbelievable. Some of the players must have run ten miles or more, I’ve got such a good honest bunch and I’m proud to manage them.”

Napper got the crucial goal when he swept home from 18 yards following a fine team move and Colbran added: “He deserved it. I’m not picking him out because it was the whole team but he was one of three or four to get cramp, that shows how hard they worked.”

Goalkeeper Michael Hunter also produced a super stop with the game goalless and Colbran said: “It was amazing, I’m still not sure how he got to it. He managed to somehow push a point-blank range shot onto the post, and not only that but he then got to the rebound first to hook it away, it was unbelievable.”

Horsham have the chance to make it three wins from three when they go to Faversham Town on Saturday but Colbran warned: “Even though they’ve lost both their opening games they did a similar thing last year, started slowly and ended up in the play-offs.

“I know the manager there and he’s got the same group of players, he won’t be happy with what’s happened and that makes them very dangerous.”