Ladies dig deep to pick up crucial victory at bottom side Bromley

Tiff Musgrave’s early strike proved the game’s only goal, and a Horsham squad of only 12 players had to dig deep to hold on to an important victory in the second half.

“It was far from convincing,” coach Paul Johnson admitted. “Bromley played well, probably had more of the game and more chances. But it’s been the other way around for us in recent weeks so it probably evens itself out and given the circumstances it was an important win for us.”

With three key players missing Horsham made the trip with just one substitute and there was a debut for 16 year old forward Sophie Jones.

It started well enough for the visitors when, five minutes in Siobhan Aherne burst down the right played the ball across goal for Musgrave to stick in at the back post.

Bromley posed their biggest threat through a series of short corners, but excellent defensive work prevented goalkeeper Hannah Simpson from being really stretched. Horsham also won a number of corners, Jess Dean with two fine strikes saved by the home goalkeeper.

In the second half it was the hosts who got on top as Horsham inevitably tired against fresh legs.

The pressure led to the hosts winning further short corners but Horsham kept their defensive discipline to hang on for a first win in four.

“Someone on the sidelines counted that they had 18 short corners without scoring,” Johnson said. “Our defending from corners was very strong all match which was pleasing.

“The second half they were on top as we got tired but it was great backs to the wall stuff.”

This Saturday Horsham Ladies face a tough trip away to Sevenoaks, who led the table at Christmas, and then host Southwick in the Sussex Cup at Broadbridge Heath on Sunday (2.45pm start).