Horsham Hockey Club on the brink of history

In fact such is their superior goal difference just a point will more than likely do after they won both games of a double header at the weekend to go 14 points clear of nearest rivals Old Bordenians I.

Having narrowly missed out on promotion in the last two seasons, a 19th win from 20 league games away at BBHC I this Saturday will earn promotion to the South Premier League – a feat the club has never achieved in its history.

Despite being top of the league all season skipper Duncan Howarth has refused to let complacency creep in.

He said: “We are very close – one more win will clinch it, in fact one more point probably would too thanks to our goal difference. Either way, we’ll be going all out to get the three points at BBHC this Saturday, and will be taking nothing for granted.”

Against Folkestone on Saturday a fine hat-trick from goal machine John Burroughs, two from John Kimberley and one from club stalwart Mark Ansell saw them run out 6-1 winners. Horsham’s young stars again played well, in particular John Kimberley and Jack Dean.

In chilly conditions away at Holcombe the following day the hosts belied their lowly league position to keep Horsham out early on. But goals from Dominic Male and skipper Duncan Howarth, followed by an excellent finish from Ansell capped a 3-0 win, making it ten straight victories since the turn of the year.

The side have been banging in the goals all season, and the nine more over the weekend took them to 90 from their 19 league games. They have conceded only 16.

“It was a very satisfactory weekend, with some very good hockey played at times,” Howarth said, before adding: “The team have now moved on to 54 points, the most Horsham 1st XI have ever accumulated in this league, and with our game on Saturday set up as it is, we’re hoping we break a second record in a week by getting promoted to the South Premier League.”