The Crows Hosted Horsham YMCA on the 11th March, with the visitors safe in mid table, as Muggsys men looked to keep tabs on 4th with just 8 league matches left of the campaign.

After the recent barrage of games, Muggsy needed to make a few changes, but such is the depth in his squad, Crows fans could be confident of a good performance.

Matt Larkin, who before the game had 3 clean sheets in 4 appearances took the gloves, with Cam Hall returning to the bench as he continues to work his way back into contention following an injury.

No Jack Mayhew or Leo Vowles meant Harvey Killick filled in at right back, whilst Charlie Watkins started at centre back in the absence of captain Tom Boddy. John Sinclair skippered the side in Boddy’s absence, with Jacob Lambert playing out on the right side of midfield.

Rory Salter, Harrison Mayhew, Ollie Hyland, Lucas Murrain, Harry Forster and Tom Pearson made up the XI.

Horsham started the game on the front foot, for the opening 5 minutes, but The Crows quickly got into their stride and began to dominate, as they so often have this season.

7 minutes on the clock and it was the first meaningful attack of the game, Jacob Lambert picked the ball up on the right and set Harvey Killick, who crossed for Tom Pearson, who headed wide.

Pearson was involved again, as his good work set Harry Forster going from the left hand edge of the penalty area, he used his quick, skillful feet to forge a way through, but his shot was saved.

The pressure continued with Jacob Lambert going close just a minute later.

The Crows just needed a goal for all of the chances, and on 20 minutes, the breakthrough came. Harvey Killick broke forward on the right and ran into the box from the byline, before picking out Lucas Murrain, who flicked it into the back of the net with a superb bit of skill from close range.

The midfield battle was raging on, but our visitors never really threatened Larkin in the Crowborough goal, while The Crows were creating a number of chances. The first half closed with Tom Pearson losing the YMCA right back and charging almost half the pitch down the left, before laying the ball off to Forster, who shot just over.

The Crows deservedly lead at half time.

The second half was much of the same, The Crows looked lethal going forward, creating a number of chances, whilst restricting our visitors to one or 2 good chances, which were superbly dealt with by Matt Larkin, who earned another clean sheet on the day. 4 out of 5 games for the young goalkeeper, who clearly has a bright future in the game.

There were some notable Crows attacks in the second half, Forster fired just over, and the Horsham goalkeeper pulled off a superb double save, first from Pearson, and then Lambert to keep the scoreline 1-0.

There was a goalmouth scramble from a corner that was followed by a couple of minutes of pressure from the visitors.

Lambert came close again, this time denied by the Horsham keepers studs, before late drama unfolded.

The Horsham number 2 conceded a penalty and was dismissed for a second bookable offence, and Tom Pearson calmly buried the penalty to ensure the 3 points stayed in Crowborough.

Full time: 2-0 Crows
Man of the Match: Charlie Watkins