MATCH REPORT | Hemel Town 0 - 2 Horsham (H)

Written by Ollie Heathcote

Two goals in the last 15 minutes saw Horsham progress to the next round of the FA Trophy at the expense of Hemel Hempstead Town.

Whilst the game was an even affair for the majority of proceedings, Horsham were able to find the cutting edge towards the closing stages as goals from Jake Elliott and substitute Reece Meekums resigned the Tudors to their second competitive home defeat of the season.

The opening stages of the game was a cagey affair between the two teams as chances proved to come at a premium. The visitors looked to have glimpses at goal, with Ogunwamide looking threatening on the left hand side. In the 14th minute, Lucas Rodrigues was able to cut back to Rhys Murphy who had his effort strike a Hemel body to take the power out of the shot.

The Tudors were to grow into the first half as crosses from Williams lacked a finishing touch. Whilst goalkeeper Patrick Casey was called into routine saves from Azeez and Matthews-Lewis, there was little to separate the two teams at the interval. 

Half Time - Hemel Hempstead Town 0 - 0 Horsham

Horsham had the first opportunity of the second half as Ricky Aguiar saw his long-range strike land narrowly over the crossbar in the 54th minute. However, it was Hemel who had an opportunity of their own on the hour mark as Samuel Adenola drove forward and unleashed a low effort heading for the bottom corner, which forced Casey into a diving save. 

The hosts gained momentum as Jevani Brown unselfishly laid off Matthews-Lewis, who dragged his effort wide just three minutes later. The game looked to be played more methodically with the next chance coming in the 78th minute. Matthews-Lewis held the ball well and played in Mauro Vilhete, who fired comfortably over the bar. 

However, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 81st minute as Johnson failed to deal with a free kick, which saw Jake Elliott hook the ball into an empty net. The lead was soon doubled four minutes later as Horsham broke down the right hand side, which saw the ball squared to Meekums who tapped in from six yards out. Adenola had another effort from range in injury time; however, it lacked any real conviction as Horsham’s defence continued to hold resolute until full time.

Tudors Man of the Match chosen by Dave English & Friends in hospitality: #3 Darion Dowrich.