Report
Leyton Pennant hauled themselves out of the relegation zone with this hard won point against an excellent Horsham side. Lilywhites’ manager Tommy Lee brought in new signings Jason White in goal and Scott Williams to replace the suspended Tommy Lee Jnr. It was White who was the hero of the first half having to make three or four excellent saves. But it was Jay Notley who sent the Lilywhites in at half time 1-0 up.
Horsham started much more brightly and took control of the midfield for the first twenty minutes. They had control but could not break down the Lilywhites’ defence. The Lilywhites then began to peg Horsham’s defence back and often exposed their deficiencies in trying to play the off side trap. After 28 minutes it as Notley who turned the pressure into goals. He latched on to a cross from Williams and drew the Horsham keeper Chatfield. They both met near the edge of the penalty area but it was Notley who made first contact with the ball and rolled it through the legs of the keeper. The ball rolled agonisingly towards the goal with Horsham’s John Kirby trying to catch up with it. All in vain, all in vain. Lilywhites were 1-0 up. From then until the end of the first half the Lilywhites remained in control.
Horsham started the second half looking purposeful and, once again, took control. As much as they attacked, the Lilywhites defended. The Lilywhites weathered the storm and became dominant in midfield. This allowed them to attack and look really good coming forward. Jamie Reilly led the line brilliantly by holding the ball up an distributing well, the only thing he needs is a finish though: on two or three occasions in the final period, he could have made the game safe but was profligate with his final shot.
The Lilywhites looked comfortable until six minutes to the end of the match when Neil Tilley, who’d had an otherwise excellent game, held on to the ball to long. He was disposed on the edge of the centre circle. Horsham’s Payne picked up the ball and passed centrally to Flain on the edge of the area. For once, his shot was on target and White was beaten for the only time. Leyton Pennant had to then withstand the Horsham onslaught as the now looked for the winner. The referee blew for time after nearly 6 minutes of time added on. A valuable point which could have been three. They are slowly beginning to look like a team that will give us mid table respectability.