FISHERSGATE Flyers 2 Horsham 5

Kieran Towse, Dan Petchey, Stuart Chester, Zack Gray, Matt Mayes, Daryl Jeeves, David O’Callaghan, Matt Clarke, Lewis Goldsmith, George Hall, Marcus Collier Subs - Sam Bulley, Mackie Law

Goalscorers – Hall, Clarke, Goldsmith, Petchey, Bulley

With the absence of Joss Knowles (illness) and Louis Masih (injury), Matt Bulley was forced to change the line up for this Challenge Cup quarter-final and, within the first minute, Fishersgate Flyers almost made them pay. With a shot flashing narrowly wide of their goal, Horsham were given early evidence that today’s game was going to be tough.

With the Flyers starting the better side, it was slightly against the run of play that Horsham took the lead when a free kick for offside was lofted over the top of the home defence and George Hall beat the oncoming 'keeper to open the scoring in the 7th minute. The goal steadied the visitors' nerves and David O’Callaghan came close to doubling their lead when his 12th minute shot just cleared the crossbar. The 16th minute saw a two-footed tackle on Zack Gray result in a yellow card for the Fishergate right back and, 8 minutes later, the second goal came when Matt Clarke shot from wide of the area and the ball flew into the top right corner. With a further period of open play, Horsham went into halftime with a two goal lead.

Fishersgate came out strongly at the start of the second half and, in the 51st minute, Kieran Towse magnificently palmed a shot over the bar. But, from the ensuing corner, he quickly turned from hero to villain when he turned the ball into his own net whilst trying to make the catch. A minute later, a solo run from O’Callaghan almost restored the advantage when his shot was headed off the line by the Flyers defence. Not to be outdone, Fishersgate replied and again forced Towse to make a fine save. Just on the hour, the 2 goal lead was restored when the Flyers' 'keeper spilled a shot by Daryl Jeeves and Lewis Goldsmith pounced to tap the ball past the prone custodian. Horsham further extended their lead just 4 minutes later when a crossfield ball found Dan Petchey on the right and his shot from 20yds flew past the static 'keeper.

Fishersgate were thrown a lifeline when Horsham failed to clear a ball in the 66th minute and a shot from the right corner of the penalty area beat Towse but, with 2 minutes to go, it was the Flyers that failed to clear an overhead kick by Hall and Sam Bulley volleyed the defender's mishit kick into the back of the net.

With Horsham running out 5 – 2 winners they progress to the Semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.

NEXT MATCH: v Chichester City Colts 'A' (a) Sunday 11th November