Horsham warned they must start taking their chances

Horsham team manager Al Campbell has warned they must start taking their chances in front of goal.
DM16146263a.jpg Hockey: Horsham v Bromley and Beckenham. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-160210-121751008DM16146263a.jpg Hockey: Horsham v Bromley and Beckenham. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-160210-121751008
DM16146263a.jpg Hockey: Horsham v Bromley and Beckenham. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-160210-121751008

They were on the end of a 2-1 defeat at London Edwardians on Saturday as the hosts capped a second-half fightback.

But Horsham only had themselves to blame as they dropped three places to third-from-bottom in the South Premier Division 1 standings.

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Campbell said that in this sort of company the team not only have to learn to keep their focus for the full 70 minutes, but also need to take their chances.

“With sharper finishing we could easily have been three up at half-time,” he said.

“We had great penetration in attack throughout the game and must have been in the Edwardians D 20 or more times – but we only won a couple of short corners.

“We keep getting close but to get over the line we have to take our chances and cut out the silly mistakes.”

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Edwardians have been a regular fixture for Horsham over the past few years, bragging rights alternating between the sides with Horsham taking the honours at the last meeting in Battersea in March.

This renewal started well for Andrew Isaacs’ side but, although it was a close fought tie, the home team took the honours. Horsham had matters well under control in the first half, defending well and building possession.

When Andy MacIlwraith set John Burroughs free with an incisive line ball after 20 minutes, the forwards got behind the Edwardians’ defence and Sam McDonald made no mistake in burying the cross.

Horsham maintained control well into the second half, but at this level, games turn on mistakes and counter attacks. So it proved as the hosts won a turnover in their own 25 and moved the ball quickly to their left winger.

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He was ushered into the corner by Dan Humphries but, out of nowhere, conjured a reverse stick cross that eluded two Horsham defenders and found the stick of a supporting forward who tapped in for the softest of goals.

Things went from average to worse a few moments later when Isaacs, until then rock solid in goal, mistimed a kick directly to another striker inside the D, who made no mistake in finding the net.

Horsham threw men forward but the home team, hardly believing their luck, shut up shop.

This Saturday, Horsham entertain London Wayfarers at Broadbridge Heath.

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