HORSHAM 4 Worthing United Youth ‘B’ 2

HORSHAM U16s:
Dominic Burchell, Joseph Giacomelli, Ben Mulcahy, Anthony Dumbrill, Sam Lee, Matthew Rance, Adam Hutchings, Jordan Ruff, Patrick O'Sullivan, Darren James, Alexander Green, Theo Mefsut, Adam Goddard
Scorers: OG, Green (3)

Horsham Youth Under 16s moved to the top of the Arun & Chichester Youth Football league with a 4 – 2 win over Worthing United Youth ‘B’ on Sunday afternoon.

With a bare eleven players available to play, due to injuries and commitments with the Under 18s, Horsham struggled to find their game despite taking the lead with only two minutes on the clock when a beautiful corner from Jordan Ruff somehow found its way over the line off a Worthing defender. Worthing equalised on seventeen minutes and a scrappy first half ended with the scores remaining level at half time.

During the half time break, and with the arrival of Adam Hutchings from Under 18s duty and Patrick O’Sullivan back from family commitments, the team took to its usual shape and, with familiarity, came confidence and goals, three in fact from Alexander Green. The first came via a huge clearance from the Worthing defence which was headed back from Sam Lee and confusion between the Worthing defender and goalkeeper allowed Green to take full advantage and slot home round the sprawling 'keeper.

Quick reactions from O’Sullivan saw Green given possession from a trademark throw in and, in one movement, a turn, swivel and low drive saw Horsham extend their lead once again. Worthing, not wishing to go down without a fight, brought the deficit back to within one by way of a terrific free kick from twenty yards which Burchell was unable to hold onto and the attackers reacted first to make the score 3 – 2.

Green completed his hat-trick with the best goal of the game. Darren James was brought down just inside the Worthing half and Matt Rance curled the resulting free-kick towards the edge of the penalty area where it was met by the ever busy and industrious Lee who guided the ball with his head into the path of Green who, with great composure, slotted the ball home to make the result safe and to continue Horsham’s 100% record in all competitions for the season.