Winning start for Horsham Men

Winning start. This season's squad. Photo by Clare Turnbull

Mark Humphreys put the hosts ahead and after some fine saves from goalkeeper Ed Heathcock, the points were secured by a second from Dominick Male near the end.

Taking on a side who had defeated National Prem sides Chichester and Canterbury the weekend before, Horsham knew they faced a real challenge and the game began in a fairly frantic fashion, with both sides clearly trying to assert themselves but giving away possession at vital times.

It was an end to end game punctuated with a couple of short corners from each team, until Horsham broke the deadlock midway through the first half. Picking up the ball just inside the opposition 25, Humphreys was allowed to enter the D to deliver a pass to the back post which the Marlow goalkeeper decided to leave, only to see it rocket straight in the bottom corner for an historic first South Prem goal in the history of the club.

Marlow responded with a number of attacks, and despite good defensive work from Akande, Leadbitter and the impressive Dan Humphreys, Marlow won a series of penalty corners but found Heathcock in red hot form in the Horsham goal, with a triple save the highlight of his performance. Horsham had their chances at the other end with Zac Chinn going close on two occasions.

The second half saw much of the same, with chances falling to both teams and Marlow striking the post and with around ten minutes to go, Horsham were reduced to ten men.

The team, though stood strong as a defensive unit, forcing Marlow around them rather than through them and a quick break, spearheaded by the hard-working Jack Dean culminated in a pass to Male, who buried the ball in the top left corner to seal the first points.

A delighted Men’s Firsts skipper Duncan Howarth said: “It certainly wasn’t a vintage performance, but it was a well fought and well earned one.

“The defence and the goalkeeping of Ed Heathcock stood strong and the whole team withstood a lot of pressure from a talented Marlow side. We look forward to our first away game at Maidstone next week.”