AJAKAIYE DELIVERS ONCE AGAIN!
FIRST-HALF goals from James Hammond and Daniel Ajakaiye saw Horsham claim all three points in a thrilling all-Sussex affair against play-off rivals Hastings United, despite the visitors’ second-half fightback.
The result means play-off hopefuls Horsham stay fourth but results elsewhere mean they’re level on points with Enfield Town in third, while Hastings have dropped ground and a place into ninth.
Horsham boss Dom Di Paola was delighted with his team’s first-half showing, one which helped them do enough to edge victory.
He told The NLP: “I thought we were really good first-half, really strong, the game turned second-half but we did well and the boys stuck to task.”
The Hornets started stronger and should’ve been ahead within three minutes, a goalmouth scramble ensued after a corner before Jack Strange’s close-range effort was blocked.
The hosts continued their early pressure and in the 11th minute, awarded a penalty after an advancing Danny Barker was tripped just inside the box after winning the ball high in the Hastings half.
James Hammond stepped up and calmly slotted his penalty down the middle sending Charlie Granger the wrong way, giving the hosts a deserved lead.
Having endured a shaky start, Hastings began to grow into the game and had a golden opportunity to level this encounter after 28 minutes.
Davide Rodari had two efforts saved by Lewis Carey before a third attempt, which looked destined for the back of the net, was somehow fired wide from close-range.
The visitors were made to pay for their poor finishing soon afterwards, when Horsham doubled their lead after again winning possession high up the pitch with pressure.
Ajakaiye displayed tenacity and anticipation before pouncing on a Charlie Grainger goalkeeping mistake in possession, poking home for his tenth league goal of the campaign and third in as many games.
Armed with a two-goal cushion as the second-half began, the U’s were determined to restore parity and utilised the ball more, probing with possession and looking for open spaces to exploit.
That was easier said than done against a rugged Horsham defence, especially one set up in a back-five formation, but they grabbed a goal back on 59 minutes to set up an intriguing final half-hour.
Sam Cruttwell drove down the right-hand side and slotted home from an incredibly tight angle without warning.
They pressed for a late leveller, but were limited to half-chances and couldn’t make one count on a day where the finest margins decided victory.
STAR MAN: Lewis Carey (Horsham) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★