1.Micheal Hunter
2.Lee Denyer
3.Jamie Groves
4.Nick Fogdon
5.Don Jordan
6.Dean Smith
7.Lee Eastman
8.Kevin Keehan
9.Marcus Strevens
10.Richard Hudson
11.Owen Callaghan
Subs:
? Elan
? Rajan
? Multini
Peter Proto
Cameron Johnson

1.Rob Tolfrey
2.Scott Harris (J Page,60)
3.Mark Knee
4.Tony Acheampong
5.Sam Page
6.Lee Carney
7.Jack Lyons
8.Gary Charman (Hutchings,65)
9.Claude Seanla
10.Pat Harding
11.Russell Eldridge (Tony Nwachukwu,50)
Subs:
12.Steve Davies
14.Tony Nwachukwu
15.Jack Page
16.Adam Hutchings
17.Mark Hawthorne
18.Rob Frankland

Goalscorers:
Seanla (3), Lyons, Carney

Reporter: Ben Tennant

John Maggs will be happy with his team’s second pre-season fixture, as a much improved Hornets side proved too strong for Shoreham’s Musselmen with Claude Seanla helping himself to a hat-trick at Middle road.

Gary Charman returned from his holidays which saw Tony Nwachukwu drop to the bench and trialist Jack Lyons partnered Lee Carney in central midfield. Due to work commitments Ben Andrews couldn’t make the game, so Seanla returned to his more familiar role of centre forward.

Shoreham began proceedings at a blustery Middle Road but it was the Hornets who had the first chance of the game, with Mark Knee stealing a yard on Lee Denyer to cross the ball high in the box and Seanla rose to meet the ball but headed straight at the 'keeper. However, a long ball through to Owen Callaghan nearly saw the Musselmen break the deadlock as he raced through on goal but he was unable to gain control of the ball and pressure from Scott Harris made him side foot the ball straight at the advancing Rob Tolfrey’s chest.

The Hornets were soon back on top with Lee Carney playing a perfect ball down the line to Pat Harding whose cross was too long for Seanla but Lyons was able to collect the ball and his trickery proved too much for the stretched Shoreham defence, his left footed cross finding the on-rushing Charman at the far post who headed into the side netting. Charman’s head was causing Shoreham a lot of bother as a short Russell Eldridge Corner found the long serving Horsham winger unmarked and his bullet header skimmed the top of the net, sparing the Musselmen's blushes.

The Hornets' quality really told as Carney’s skill set up a chance for Lyons from 25 yards but he fired narrowly wide of the mark. However, Maggs’ side were getting frustrated as they failed to break the deadlock with numerous chances. Seanla fired over from 4 yards from a corner flicked on by Harding but they were not to be frustrated for much longer as a fantastic team move saw the Hornets take the lead for the first time in their pre-season calendar. Anthony Acheampong played a long ball forward to Charman who headed the ball in the path of Carney who charged into the box. He looked certain to try his chances but smashed the ball across the box for the unmarked Seanla to tap into the bottom corner of an empty net.

Shoreham had the last chance of the half when Richard Hudson’s weak shot was smothered by Tolfrey and a dominant Horsham side walked in happy with their performance in the first half, despite the league only being by one goal.

H/T Shoreham 0 – 1 Horsham

Horsham kept up the momentum in the second half, unlike their tiresome second half performance against Worthing last Saturday, and their first chance of the half saw them extend their lead when Carney’s free kick confused Shoreham 'keeper Michael Hunter as it bounced right in front of him, leaving him able only to palm the ball straight back to Nwachukwu. His shot came back off of Hunter and Seanla, on the spot, mirrored Nwachukwu’s chance seconds before but fourth time lucky allowed him to lash into the back of the net to collect his brace.

Horsham continued to press from the restart, with Carney continuing to orchestrate the midfield, and his perfect pass sent Charman racing into the box to square the ball back for Harding to force a fine save from Hunter who pushed the ball wide of the goal. Adam Hutchings made a fine contribution to the match, soon after replacing Charman on the left hand side, sliding a ball through to Seanla to send him clear. The striker checked onto his right foot and side footed into the back of the net, collecting another hat-trick for the visitors.

Hutchings continued to impress Maggs as he rose well but headed wide from a corner. Carney then once again sent Seanla racing clear but, this time, the goalkeeper got the better of him and palmed wide. Lyons had made a great impression in his debut for the Hornets and he nearly rounded it off nicely with a fine goal but his thunderbolt from 30 yards rattled the crossbar.

Carney, who showed his quality throughout with a superb 90 minute performance, sent Hutchings into the penalty area but, under pressure, his shot was deflected to Lyons who trickled the ball into an empty net. In time added on, tired Shoreham legs were punished by Nwachukwu who skinned a number of home defenders and passed the ball infield to Lyons who found Carney onside and he side footed coolly past Hunter to complete the rout, in a half which saw the Musselmen fail to trouble Rob Tolfrey in the Horsham goal.

The Hornets will be hoping to extend their good form into their next game away to Red hill on Saturday.

NEXT MATCH: v Redhill  (a) Saturday 25th July ko 3pm