Match Reports for the Horsham League for 2008 - 2009 Season
Saturday 21st November 2009
Southdown Athletic.5. Three Bridges.0.
Southdown turned in one of their best performances to brush past old rivals Three Bridges to reach the semi finals for the third year running.
An early goal set them on their way when, Jordan Adams floated a fine ball over the Bridges defence for Lewis Lesbirel to spring the offside trap and lift the ball over the advancing keeper and slot home. With just the start they wanted, a second was soon to follow when , again Lesbirel undid the offside trap to fire home into the bottom corner for 2-0. Confidence was now spreading throughout the team, keeper Josh Durrants safe handling was supported well from the back line of Michael Devereux, Max Donaldson, Adams and Luke Fitzgerald, while the midfield of JP Akoachere, Michael Holt, Harry Worthington, Gianni Martinkovic, Grady Pummell and Lesbirel took a strong hold of the game and supplied strikers Ollie Clark and James Tarling plenty of ammunition to trouble the Bridges defence. A beautiful move over on the right involving Lesbirel and Clark resulted in a crossed ball for the arriving Tarling to prod home for a third, just before the interval Durrant pulled off a great one handed save to ensure his side kept out any likely comeback from their visitors.
The second half saw Bridges fighting for all their worth as they looked to get back into the match, but Devereuxs fine run and cross was superbly met by Clarks header for 4-0 Bridges were now seemingly out of it, although Durrant was again tested from a corner before, Pummells free kick was helped on by Clark for Tarling to blast home. With time running out Bridges looked to be heading for a consolation goal, but keeper Durrant was not to be beaten saving well from a one on one situation.
Saturday 3rd October 2009
Southdown Athletic. 3. Steyning Strikers.2.
Athletic came storming back from going 0-2 down owing to defensive errors, to record a memorable victory over rivals Steyning.
Southdown's James Tarling was unlucky not to open the scoring with a close range volley, but it was somehow kept out by the sprawling Steyning keeper. Then two quick fire breakaways, rocked the otherwise dominant Athletic, who could not believe they were trailing by two goals, until just before half time Lewis Lesbirels cross was helped on by Michael Holt into the path of JP Okoachere who, side footed home .
The second half saw a rejuvenated Athletic pile on the pressure, first Tarling hit the bar, followed by further worthwhile efforts from Thomas Lewis and Michael Devereux until, Luke Fitzgerald struck a thunderous equaliser into the far left corner.
Keeper Grady Pummell was finally called into action and had to be alert in stopping another dangerous Steyning counter attack. Just as time was coming to a close , Fitzgerald sent over a fine cross for Holt to leap like a salmon and head home to make it 3-2 and a gutsy Southdown victory.
Saturday 12th September 2009
Southdown Athletic. 8. Lower Beeding Lions.4.
Athletic continued their impressive start to the new season with a goal feast at Leyland's. Starting brightly, Southdown had two early chances through Theo Ambridge, one well saved and the other just wide before, Gianni Martinkovic slotted home the opener after a Jordan Adams effort fell to Thomas Lewis, who in turn crossed for the striker.
Just the start Southdown deserved and it was not long before the score was increased when, Harry Worthington's long range effort was spilled by the unfortunate Lions keeper. Now looking comfortable Athletic started to relax and were duly punished with two quick fire breakaway goals , making the score 2-2 but, just before the interval Ambridge turned home Michael Holts goal bound effort 3-2.
The second half again showed Athletic as the sharper outfit when , Grady Pummell played a fine through ball to Lewis Lesbirel, who kept his head to side foot home. Beeding again reminded Southdown they were still in the game and reduced the score to 4-3 with a fine finish.
Martinkovic was again found lurking to add to his tally, so in turn did Lesbirel with a rare headed second to make it 6-3.
Pummell then used his long throw to good effect in finding Martinkovic who gleefully completed his first Athletic hatrick. With Beeding seemingly tiring, Worthington swung in a fine free kick which found Pummells glancing head for a well worked 8th goal. With the clock running down Lions again hit Athletic on the breakaway to score a fourth.
Saturday 5th September 2009
Horsham Tigers.1. Southdown Athletic. 6.
Last years league champions Athletic got their campaign off to an impressive start with this all the way victory over a strong Tigers side.
Starting brightly, Southdown's Michael Holt was inches wide with a header from Ollie clarks trademark long throw inn. The inevitable break through soon arrived when, Clark fired home an unstoppable drive high into the right corner of the net, after a fine James Tarling pass.
Athletics dominance was now shining through, and they increased their lead albeit a rather fortunate diversion from the Horsham defender into his own net after Lewis Lesbirels shot was drifting wide.
A well deserved third followed just before the break when Grady Pummell teed up clark for another great strike. Defenders Max Donaldson, Michael Devereux, Luke Fitzgerald and Gianni Martinkovic kept a tight back line aided by safe keeping from Josh Durrant ensuring a 3-0 half time lead.
The beginning of the second period saw a determined Horsham fight back Lesbirel had to be alert in clearing off the line after Durrants parry. Tigers persistence was then rewarded when they pulled a goal back to make it 1-3.
Shaken but not stirred Athletic hit back in fine fashion when the tireless Holt set up Clark for his hatrick 4-1
Holt then turned from provider to scorer heading home Harry Worthington's pinpoint corner. Target man Pummell then rounded off the scoring with a Heskey like turn and shot into the far corner.
