Horsham fail to sparkle in Tooting defeat

Returning from a mini break after Saturday’s fixture with Ramsgate was postponed, Simon Colbran’s side put aside a number of suspensions and injuries to enjoy a good first half.

With fireworks going off around the ground skipper Gary Charman provided the brightest moment of the first 45 minutes when he powered home a trademark header from a corner on 32 minutes.

The Terrors had earlier struck a post through Max Noble and seen a strong penalty shout turned down, though it was the visitors who led at the break.

Horsham had let slip a lead in five of their last six away games and from the restart the hosts piled on the pressure with stand-in Hornets keeper Dave King called into action to pull off a number of saves.

Horsham then lost both Gabby Odunaike and Charman to injury, replaced by Karley Akehurst - back at the club after a spell at Peacehaven - and Glen Woodburn for his first appearance of the season following injury.

The Tooting pressure continued and after they saw another big penalty claim eventually turned down by the referee, the hosts were finally level when Noble swept home a cross from the right.

Still Horsham looked set for a point until, two minutes before time defender Tom Graves brought down Cecil Jee in the box and Jordan Cheadle slammed home the penalty to give a resurgent Tooting their third straight win.

Horsham have now won just one of their last nine league games and sit 14th in the Ryman South table.

Match details kindly provided by Mark Wells. For his excellent full report go to www.hornetsreview.co.uk