Zac nets maiden 1st XI goal as Horsham continue to set pace

Early league leaders Horsham made it a perfect three wins from three with a hard-fought victory away at Woking on Saturday.
Horsham Men's HockeyHorsham Men's Hockey
Horsham Men's Hockey

Playing against a well organised home side who set up a similar way, it made for an intriguing encounter with much of the play in the middle of the pitch and few real chances.

The home side were unlucky not to take the lead with a short corner effort that clipped the outside of the Horsham goal.

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Within minutes, a great through ball found John Kimberley alone at the top of the D, but the Woking goalkeeper was too eager in closing him down and conceded a penalty stroke. Richard Blakesley stepped up but unfortunately for Horsham struck the post.

Undeterred, Horsham remained confident and carved out a great chance when coach Dom Male found Zac Chinn advancing into the D and the youngster deflected the ball into the Woking goal - a sublime finish for his first league goal for the side.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with chances limited and the defence at each end playing well.

Woking tried to force some openings through their player coach and former South African international Denzil Dolley.

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It was at the other end that the next goal came however, with good work from Matt Hough finding Jack Dean in the D to round the goalkeeper and finish calmly as defenders tried to intervene, and the final whistle was a welcome sound after such a battle.

“Clearly we’re really pleased with our efforts once again, but this was definitely the most satisfying so far,” skipper Duncan Howarth beamed. “We know that we need to put in performances like this every week if we are to have a hope of maintaining our league position, but with the enthusiasm and belief that we have in the squad, it’s looking promising.

“Our game this week against Old Cranleighans will be a real tester – they won their regional league last year as we did, and they have also made a strong start to life in South Prem 2.”

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