The Crows were heavily punished for some poor defending on the opening day of the season, losing 6-1 to Horsham YMCA.

Dave Adams was without a number of key players in the build-up to the game through both injury and holiday commitments. Ben Head, Jack Turner, Paul Butler and Scott Treleaven were all ruled out through injury whilst the Crows were also without both Sam Saunders and Harry Thompson.

The Crows gave debuts to Alex McEwan at right back and Neil Grant in the heart of midfield.

Despite a promising start to the game, a number of defensive errors were ruthlessly punished by the hosts. Horsham YMCA took the lead after 10 minutes when an attempted punch from Pryor fell to the feet of Daniel Sullivan who drove home. The Crows were undone again shortly after with a long throw misjudged by the onrushing Pryor allowing Dean Wright to volley into an open goal. The Crows began to retain possession better with Neil Grant particularly shining in the centre of midfield. Chris Ransome and Sam Carrington began to exploit the wide areas and created a number of chances which the Crows were unable to convert. Horsham punished these misses and a quick fire double from Lee Smith, the second from the penalty spot, added further misery to the Crows first half performance. The Crows were rewarded for their attacking intent when Sam Carrington drilled home just before half time to give Adams' side some hope.

Crowborough began the second half as they ended the first and exerted pressure on the hosts goal but again were unable to find the back of the net. Charlie Ottway, Scott Taylor and Tom Pearson were introduced as the Crows searched for an improbable way back into the game. However, static defending was to prove costly as Horsham cut through the Crows defence to add a 5th goal through Dean Wright's second of the game before Dean Cox rounded off the victory in the 90th minute.

Crowborough Athletic: Pryor, McEwan, Rich, Everest (c), Boddy, Chamberlain (Taylor), Grant, Culverhouse, Ransome (Pearson), Adams (Ottway), Carrington.
Subs not used: Tear, Ridley.

MOTM: Neil Grant