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Archive news
APRIL 2008 |
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30-APR-2008: Seukes signs |
Paul
Seuke joined team-mates Lee Carney and Jacob Mingle by putting pen to paper and
agreeing to a new deal with the Hornets that will see him contracted to the club
until May 2009. The highly rated goalkeeper signed up prior to last night's
Brighton Charity Cup Final before going on to watch the Hornets' dramatic
extra-time victory in the club's final match at Queen Street. Seuke joined
Horsham from AFC Wimbledon in October, making his debut in the Sussex Senior Cup
win against Rustington before going on to become first choice 'keeper ahead of
Alan Mansfield. John Maggs was delighted to have secured Seuke's services and
has promised further additions to the squad during the summer.
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29-APR-2008:
Horsham 3 East Preston 2 |
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Queen Street finally got the send off
it deserved as Horsham secured a narrow victory against East Preston
in an enthralling Brighton Charity Cup Final tonight. With the scores
level at 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes it was left to Gary Charman, the
local lad with more than 400 Horsham appearances to his name, to
provide the most fitting of finales when he struck the winning goal
with just 12 minutes of extra-time remaining to spark triumphant
scenes on the crumbling terraces. Yet it looked for a while as if the
County Leaguers were going to spoil the party, just as Billericay Town
had done before them, when they took the lead after 11 minutes through
Kevin Budge. The Hornets were back on level terms when Lee Farrell
converted a fine pass from Gavin Bolger and they edged in front when
Lewis Taylor rammed the ball home, just before the break. Under 18s
'keeper Tom Baxter enjoyed a fine game as replacement for hamstring
victim Alan Mansfield but it was his opposite number, Tom Rand, who
earned the plaudits with a man of the match display as the hosts
dominated the second period. However, Rand's heroics enabled his
team-mates to conjure up an 85th minute equaliser through James Rhodes
to send the match in to extra-time and Charman's fairytale ending. As
the presentations were completed, and the jubilant scenes had died
down, supporters began to reflect on the end of an era. Of 104 years
of football at this charismatic venue.
match report |
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26-APR-2008: Heybridge Swifts 3
Horsham 2 |
Horsham
old boy Stafford Browne helped himself to a hat-trick as Horsham's league
campaign ended on a losing note this afternoon at a sunny Scraley Road. On an
afternoon that seemed to typify their season, the Hornets got off to a
tremendous start with Lee Farrell netting after just 6 minutes and were sitting
pretty when Dwain Clark restored the lead with a superb solo effort after
Browne's 14th minute equaliser. The turning point of the game came on the stroke
of half-time when Stuart Myall was dismissed for deliberate handball and Browne
converted from the spot to leave Horsham with an uphill task in the second half.
That it took until the 67th minute for the winning goal to come owed as much to
Horsham's resolute defending as it did the strong wind but, when Browne stole in
to volley home from 10 yards, the ten men were staring at a 5th successive
league defeat. Despite some late pressure, backed by a sizeable travelling
contingent, the visitors were unable to force an equaliser and were left to
reflect on a season that had thrown up so many great memories but the
realisation that their 11th place finish was the second lowest finish achieved
in John Maggs' managerial reign.
Full report and goals.... |
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19-APR-2008: Horsham 0 Billericay
Town 1 |
There
were emotional scenes this afternoon as Horsham threw a farewell party for their
old Queen Street ground but it was Billericay who were left celebrating thanks
to Billy Bicknell's 16th minute goal that saw them leapfrog the Hornets into 9th
place and finally end their opponents' feint play-off aspirations. There were
memories aplenty in the packed clubhouse before and after the game as
dozens of former players and staff gathered to exchange stories and rekindle old
friendships, the result of weeks of coordination from Horsham 'old boy' Iain
Dunscombe, and, for once, the football seemed almost incidental as fans
commemorated the end of an era with a colourful spectacle involving scarves,
flags and smoke flares. Sadly, though, the football failed to match the carnival
atmosphere and a second half flare-up involving Matt Geard and Dave McSweeney
was a sour note on a fairly uninspiring encounter.
Full report... |
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17-APR-2008: Pagham 1 Horsham 2 |
Horsham
will bid farewell to their long serving Queen Street ground with a cup final
appearance after Simon Austin's second half strike secured a hard earned
Brighton Charity Cup success
at Pagham tonight. Rob Frankland, making his first appearance in the Horsham
goal in more than 2 seasons, was beaten after just 10 minutes when Ashley Hunter
lobbed home from close range as the hosts made the better start but Eddie French
equalised 5 minutes later with his second goal in as many games. Lions goalkeeper Wes Hallett pulled off a superb double save to
ensure that the sides turned round on level terms at the break but it took Austin just 2 minutes of the
second half to grab the winner, producing a quality finish from Andy Howard's
cross. The spirited home side struggled to make much impact after going behind,
in the face of a biting, inhospitable wind although Frankland had to be alert
to keep out Tom Poole's far post header but Horsham held out comfortably and
will now meet East Preston in the Queen Street final on Tuesday 29th April.
Full report & goals... |
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15-APR-2008: It's official.....it's
Worthing !!!!!!!!! |
Horsham Football Club has today
received approval from the Ryman League to groundshare with Worthing Football
Club from next season, subject to a number of legal issues being resolved
between the league and Worthing FC. The announcement finally brings to an end
months of speculation and will enable manager John Maggs, the club's committee
and supporters to plan for the 2008/9 campaign. The decision has been
greeted with some relief by Chairman Frank King, and Secretary John Lines,
who have worked tirelessly to secure the best possible future for the club while
awaiting approval on planning application to develop the Holbrook Club. Plans to
share the facilities at Crawley Town's Broadfield Stadium were withdrawn last
month, after the move became financially unviable, and a tenancy at Horsham YMCA
and Broadbridge Heath were also dismissed as unworkable. The club would like to
thank Worthing Football Club for their co-operation and support in securing this
agreement. |
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14-APR-2008: Decision day approaches |
Horsham
are expected to discover this week if the Ryman League has agreed to approve
next season's groundshare plans after paperwork was submitted on Friday. A
meeting on Tuesday will determine whether the Hornets can proceed with the deal
that 'has been approved by both clubs', according to chairman Frank King who is
prohibited by the League from revealing the name of Horsham's potential
landlords. "We have done all that has been asked of us by the Ryman League,"
revealed club secretary John Lines, "and now all we can do is to sit and wait
for their verdict." |
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12-APR-2008: Ramsgate 3 Horsham 2 |
Two
goals from Ramsgate's Sam Jones proved decisive as Horsham's faint hopes
of reaching the promotion play-offs were all but ended after a 3-2 defeat. Both
sides were missing key players but they produced an entertaining first half that
saw Ben Laslett put through his own goal to give the Hornets a 15th minute lead
only for the Rams to score twice in 10 minutes through Jones and skipper Warren
Schulz. Nick Davis almost gifted the visitors a second goal when he headed
against the crossbar before Schulz's Horsham counterpart, Eddie French, levelled things up when he
volleyed home just before the interval. John Maggs' side had opportunities to retake the
lead during the second period but they failed to take their chances and Jones
made them pay when he grabbed the winning goal, 8 minutes from time. The defeat
sees Horsham slip down to 10th and needing a minor miracle if they are to finish
in the play-off places while only goal difference keeps the Rams out of the top
5 with just 2 games remaining.
Full report |
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07-APR-2008: Seuke misses season's
end |
Paul
Seuke will miss the rest of the season after breaking a finger in the 1-0 defeat
against Harlow Town. The first choice goalkeeper was thought to have suffered a
dislocation after colliding with team-mate Simon Austin towards the end of the
first half of Saturday's match but an x-ray has revealed a break that will force
him out of the Hornets' remaining fixtures. The injury is just the latest
setback for the Hornets who, according to boss John Maggs, must win their last 3
fixtures to stand any chance of making the play-offs. Nigel Brake is unlikely to
return this season after a recurrence of a knee injury while doubts also remain
over the fitness of Lee Carney and Gary Charman, both of whom have missed
Horsham's last 4 matches. Lewis Taylor is suspended for Saturday's trip to
play-off rivals Ramsgate. |
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05-APR-2008: Chelmsford take the
title |
Our congratulations go to Chelmsford
City who claimed the Ryman League Premier Division title this
afternoon, thanks to a 1-1 draw with Ramsgate in front of 1,588 fans
at the Melbourne Avenue ground. In a thrilling encounter, Stuart Vahid
gave the visitors the lead and the Clarets were lucky not to go two
goals behind when the visitors hit the post before Kezie Ibe grabbed
the equaliser, 5 minutes from the break. The Rams' Lee Minshull saw a
second half penalty saved but the Kent side remain in touch with the
play-off places in 6th spot. AFC Wimbledon had to come from behind to
defeat Billericay Town 2-1 and erase the memory of last weekend's
defeat against Horsham and just 7 points now separate the teams in 3rd
and 9th places in what was something of a goalfest in the Ryman
Premier League. No fewer than 45 goals were scored in the 11 games
with 9 of them coming at Margate where a James Pinnock hat-trick
helped the home side see off relegation threatened Heybridge Swifts
5-4. Hendon claimed only their 3rd victory of 2008 with an exciting
4-3 win at Hastings where Lubomir Guentchev's 85th minute leaves the
Sussex side just 2 points clear of the sides occupying the relegation
places. There were 5 different scorers for Carshalton in an emphatic
5-2 win at fellow strugglers Wealdstone, who are now without a win in
4 games, while Staines look favourites for a top 4 finish after a
comfortable 2-0 win against lowly Folkestone. An injury to Darren
Deegan took the gloss off of Ashford Town's 4-1 success against
Maidstone Utd at Sittingbourne with a suspected broken leg looking
likely to rule the defender out for the rest of the season. AFC
Hornchurch remain in 4th spot after a narrow win at East Thurrock
while the manager of the month curse seems to have avoided the
Longmead Stadium where Tommy Warrilow's Tonbridge Angels completed a
3-0 win against mid-table Harrow Borough to move into 9th. |
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05-APR-2008: Horsham 0 Harlow Town 1 |
Shaun
Gliddon boosted Harlow's hopes of avoiding the drop with an 80th minute winner
that condemned the Hornets to their second defeat in 4 days, denting their
play-off ambitions in the process. Horsham, missing several first team regulars,
lacked penetration up front and failed to force a save out of visiting
goalkeeper James Hassell throughout the entire 90 minutes. Harlow fared little
better, only coming to life during the closing stages during which Rhys Henry
spurned a great chance of putting the Hawks ahead when he somehow fired wide of
an open goal before Gliddon touched home a scrappy close range effort that
seemed to sum up a poor game. John Maggs' side were dealt another injury blow
when goalkeeper Paul Seuke dislocated a finger at the end of the first half and
was replaced by Alan Mansfield.
Full report... |
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03-APR-2008: Maggs targets three from four |
Hornets' boss John Maggs believes his
side needs 3 wins from their last 4 matches to secure a play-off place after
defeat at promotion rivals Ashford Town on Tuesday night left them occupying 5th
spot. Any one of 9 sides, from 2nd
placed AFC Wimbledon to Tonbridge Angels in 10th, maintain realistic hopes of
being involved in the end of season dogfight for a place in the Blue Square
Conference South in what has become one of the most exciting promotion scraps in
recent years. The Dons look favourites to take one of the 4 spots but must play
Billericay, Ashford and Hornchurch, 3 of the sides also in contention, while 3rd
placed Staines still have an outside chance of taking the title from Chelmsford
who only need a draw at home against Ramsgate this weekend to land the trophy.
The Swans have as many as 3 games on their rivals but their schedule of 7
games in 22 days may yet prove decisive although only out of form Hendon look to
offer a serious challenge before a final day meeting with Billericay. Saturday
sees AFC Hornchurch, beaten twice by the Hornets this year, visit
an East Thurrock side scrapping for points at the other end of the table and
they round up their campaign with another difficult match at Tonbridge Angels before
hosting Wimbledon on the final weekend. A win for Horsham at Ramsgate next
Saturday could end the Kent club's hopes, if the Rams succumb to
Chelmsford this weekend, and Ashford will be hoping that their impressive home
record will see them through tough fixtures against the Dons and the League
leaders. One thing's for sure, this season is going to go to an exciting climax.
Let's hope the Hornets are part of the show ! |
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01-APR-2008: Ashford Town (Mx) 3 Horsham
0 |
Horsham's
promotion hopes continue to hang by a thread after Ashford moved to within 2
points of their opponents with a 3-0 win tonight. The Hornets were barely
troubled during the opening 40 minutes in which Stuart Myall and Lee Farrell
both brought good saves from home 'keeper Paul Burgess after Kevin Hemsley had
seen his header ruled out for offside. But 2 goals in 2 minutes from Paul
Johnson and Warren Harris, just before the interval, left the Hornets with a
mountain to climb and, despite the second half dismissal of Ashford skipper
Gavin Bamford, Horsham were unable to force a reply before Ricky Wellard capped
a good night for the home side by racing 30 yards and firing home the
Tangerines' third.
Full report... |