Three Bridges 1 Horsham 5
Thursday 3rd August 2006
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reporter: Jim Bravery

A strong Horsham team overcame a resilient Three Bridges outfit winning 5-1, with two late goals slightly flattering the final scoreline.

The Hornets seemed to take a while to get into gear and it was nine minutes before the 'keeper was tested when he saved a Jamie Taylor effort. A brief spell of pressure produced chances for Lewis Taylor and the returning Gary Charman but both were off target.

If the Bridges front players had their shooting boots on they could easily have taken the lead. Two golden chances went begging after diagonal balls over the defence got players in behind their markers but the final shots were tame and went wide.

Lee Carney and John Westcott looked dangerous going forward but, unfortunately, a lot of impressive build up play was wasted on the final shot.

Jamie Taylor finally broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, again after good approach work. Several goal attempts were either blocked or saved by the 'keeper before the ball broke invitingly at Taylor's feet and he didn't miss his chance to put the Hornets ahead.

Several more chances were created and a good passage of passing down the right flank saw Westcott's perfect cross met by Carl Rook's head only to see the effort go just wide of the post.

A bullet free kick from Carney on the edge of the area went high over the bar. The home 'keeper then mis-hit a clearance straight to Charman who homed in on goal and clipped the cross into the unmarked Rook but his control this time was poor and his shot was blocked.

Ten minutes after his first goal, Taylor added a second one. The Bridges 'keeper, trying to dribble the ball out to clear, was caught in possession by Taylor who rounded the embarrassed custodian to score with ease.

The second half saw Tom Graves replace Andy Howard and Bridges also made a couple of changes with the much travelled ex Hornet, Michael Death, being one of them.

The second half started much the same as the first with few chances being created, Lewis Taylor had an early effort but it went well wide. On fifty-seven minutes, Taylor sealed his hat-trick with a superb finish from a short free kick from Carney, low to the 'keeper's left; the ball nestling in the back of the net.

Carney himself looked likely to score as he weaved his way past three defenders, only to see all the hard work go to waste as his final pass across the six yard line fell to a defender who was able to clear the danger.

Two more substitutes by Bridges and Hornets' replacing of Ian Payne by Matt Geard on 67 minutes saw little change in the pattern of play. O'Cocha should have done better for Bridges when put through but made amends five minutes later when he finished off some good approach work to bring the score back to 3-1.

Owen Botting replaced the tiring Charman with fifteen minutes left, slotting in at left back with Geard moving forward. A slick four man passing movement involving Westcott, James Cant, Carney and Jamie Taylor ended with the hat-trick hero's shot saved by the replacement 'keeper.

The 'keeper then almost let in Westcott, his poor throw out falling at the feet of the lively winger. As he went past the fullback he cut in towards goal, interchanging passes with Carney to find himself in a shooting position but his shot beat the 'keeper's outstretched hands only to see a back pedalling defender head off the line and straight back into the relieved 'keeper's arms.

Almost straight away Bridges were denied by the cross bar and, in a cruel twist of fate, could only watch in disbelief as Rook finished off another slick passing move, rounding the 'keeper to score.

Michael Death then saw his well struck free kick plucked out the air by Williams.

Horsham were finishing far stronger as Bridges pushed men forward. Westcott, who had been a handful all evening, once again skipped past the fullback with his cross finding Geard at the far post but his shot was hit well over.

The final nail in the coffin was applied by the hard working Carney who finished off another slick passing move with the fifth, and final, goal of the evening.

There was just time for Rook to create a chance, only to see it kicked off the line.

Three Bridges:  TBA