Horsham visited Littlehampton for the 1st round of the Challenge Cup and, within three minutes of the kick-off, they found themselves a goal up after a drop kick from the Littlehampton goalkeeper was headed back and tapped into the path of Louis Masih who slotted home. Five minutes later, Dan Petchey’s pass was slotted into the bottom right corner by Marcus Collier to give Horsham a 0-2 advantage. On 11 minutes, George Hall narrowly beat the 'keeper to a Horsham throw and was able to square into the six yard box for Collier to tap home. Midway through the half, the Horsham defence was called into action when Kieran Towse spilled the ball to a Littlehampton player whose shot was blocked by Stuart Chester and then cleared by Joss Knowles. A clearance over the top on 26 minutes was chipped over the Littlehampton 'keeper by Louis Masih for his second. Two minutes later, Petchey picked the ball up just outside the Horsham area and went unchallenged the full length of the pitch only to see his shot skim past the post. In the dying minutes of the half, a blocked clearance by the Horsham 'keeper went to a Littlehampton player whose shot was headed off the line by William Case. Unfortunately, Will hit his hip on the post whilst clearing the ball and had to be substituted by Mackie Law.At half time Horsham were looking comfortable on 0 – 4.

The start of the second half saw Lewis Goldsmith on for Louis Masih and Tom Blown on for Daryl Jeeves. A period of sustained pressure saw Horsham’s fifth goal, six minutes into the half, when a through ball by Dan Petchey was slotted home by Hall, and three minutes later George scored his second from Goldsmith's assist. The 65th minute saw Petchey, who had set up two goals and narrowly missed one, finally find the back of the net with a splendid left foot shot. With Horsham leading by seven goals, Littlehampton were given a consolation when Towse was harshly adjudged, after claiming the ball, to have fouled a Littlehampton player who ran into him. The resulting penalty was well placed and the final whistle went two minutes later with the final score 1 – 7.

NEXT MATCH: v Maidenbower Colts (a) Sunday 23rd September