Horsham 2
(Hammond 45+4′, Gravata 90+5′)
United 1
(Palmer 88′)
Torquay United were left to suffer in West Sussex on Saturday, as Horsham struck late to steal all three points at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium.
Ed Palmer’s late leveller looked to have earned The Gulls a point after Horsham’s James Hammond gave the home side the lead just before the break, however there was to be a late sting in the tail, as Leone Gravata struck in the dying stages to clinch a first win of the season for The Hornets.
Following the 3-1 midweek success over AFC Totton, Gulls boss Paul Wotton made two changes to his starting eleven. Jordan Dyer replaced Palmer, whilst Josh Phillips celebrated his loan switch from Luton Town by taking the place of the injured Dylan Morgan. United’s other new addition, Denzel Akyeampong, took his place on the substitutes bench, where he was joined by the returning Louis Dennis, after the forward picked up a knock at Maidstone seven days ago.
A nip and tuck first half saw both sides show plenty of attacking intent, with Phillips showing up well for The Gulls down the left flank.
As the half drew towards its close, it looked like neither side would be able to gain an advantage before the break, until a set-piece in stoppage time brought about the opener for the hosts.
After Reece Myles-Meekums was brought to ground by Sam Dreyer on the edge of the box, Hammond stepped up to fire a well-placed free-kick past Torquay’s defensive wall and into the back of the net, despite James Hamon’s best efforts.
Work to do at the change of ends.
United started the second half well, however they were initially unable to seriously test Lewis Carey in-between the Horsham sticks.
Despite a clear upping of the pace by Wotton’s men, a well-marshalled home defence continued to frustrate The Gulls, who were forced to look to their bench in a search for parity.
With the match entering its final stages, two of those replacements looked to have provided the impetus their side needed.
In the 88th minute, Hamon’s long free-kick found the head of substitute Jadyn Crosbie, and with his flick falling perfectly into the path of fellow sub Palmer, the defender slammed home a marvellous volley to level things up at 1-1.
It was a great goal, but sadly, it ended up counting for little, as a mistake at the back proved costly just moments later.
There appeared little danger as debutant Akyeampong saw the ball back to Hamon, however, with United’s No.1 seeing the ball almost get stuck between his feet, Gravata was on hand to pounce from close range and seal a famous win for his team.
As disappointing as this result will be, they do at least have the opportunity to respond quickly, with Dover the visitors to Plainmoor on Bank Holiday Monday.
HORSHAM: 1. Lewis Carey, 2. John Elliott (6. Jack Strange, 86′), 3. Harvey Sparkes, 4. Charlie Hester-Cook (15. John Brivio, 70′), 5. Isaac Philpott, 7. James Hammond (c), 8. Danny Barker (16. Montel Agyemang, 37′), 17. James Roberts (14. Shamir Fenelon, 59′), 18. Reece Myles-Meekums (9. Rhys Murphy, 82′), 20. Lee Harding, 23. Leone Gravata.
SUBS NOT USED: 11. Olajuwon Ogunwamide, 21. Freddie Hammond.
Yellow Card: Harding 70′, Gravata 90+3′
UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 3 Jay Foulston, 4. Jordan Dyer (16. Ed Palmer, 60′), 5. Sam Dreyer, 6. Munashe Sundire (20. Dan Hayfield, 55′), 8. Jordan Young, 9. Cody Cooke (7. Louis Dennis, 60′), 12. Josh Phillips, 18. Matt Worthington (c), 26. Jordan Thomas (2. Denzel Akyeampong, 60′), 27. Matt Jay (15. Jadyn Crosbie, 74′).
SUBS NOT USED: 13. Matt Wonnacott (GK), 29. Aidan Edwards.
Yellow Card: Dreyer 45+3′, Sundire 52′, Hayfield 90+8′
Attendance: 1,481
