The opposition may have changed but the performance was far better than Saturdays match at Eastbourne and considering YM’s 6-1 away victory at Arundel this was a good performance for the young Anvils.

The hosts opened proceedings early in the 4th minute with a Liam Hunter shot sailing wide, however they soon made amendments on 12 when ex Anvil Nick Sullivan set up midfielder Dave Brown to open their account. 1-0 YM.

Shades of deja vu and Eastbourne United flashed before one, but the Anvils contained YM well in spite of them having most of the play. On 20 the Anvils caused a flutter in the YM goalmouth as a Matt Burroughs shot caused keeper Simon Lockwood to drop the ball and then retrieve amongst flailing boots, on 25 Josh Alcock with a cross field ball found Burroughs on the left but his cross was wasted by the lack of Anvil bodies in the box.

Back came the homesters with Dean Carden setting up Sullivan (N) but he was crowded out, further free kicks and corners were the order of the day but the Anvil backline held firm with just another Sullivan (N) shot having to be hacked away.

However the Anvils suffered another setback on 35 when livewire Burroughs took a knock and was replaced by Sam Broomfield, no further chances were being created as the homesters started to up the ante with Brown going close evading the centre backs but his final shot lacked control and rolled wide as half time arrived. HT 1-0 Horsham YM.

For the second half it was YM who started the brisker with a combination of Dan Sullivan and Brown breaking thro but the latters shot was well covered by Anvil debutant keeper Liam Lindsay, next came a Sullivan (N) shot that was deflected for another corner, on the hour homesters Dan Evans on a charge down the flank then set up Hunter but he could only head wide, minutes later the same player shook the upright.

For the Anvils it was all hands to the pumps with ten men behind the ball thus leaving lone striker Tom Saunders an impossible task to chase anything that came out from defence, although on the hour mark he did manage to stir YM’s keeper Lockwood and just after Charlie Dodd flashed a header just over, that was just about it for the Anvils as YM came again with Brown setting up Hunter for a shot straight at Lindsay and Luke Gedling letting fly from 40 yds to end the contest. FT 1-0 Horsham YM.

This was a much better performance and although YM had most of the play in terms of possession the CD youngsters frustrated them with a very good defensive display and they moved the ball around very well throughout. In the end YM got the win but CD will almost regard this as a result in terms of the work rate and commitment which will hopefully be carried through to September when the Holidays and the injury list will return to the fold.

Team: Liam Lindsay, Matt Gates, Ben Simester, Ryan Fletcher, Blair Cooney, Charlie Dodd, Ciaran Steers (Sonny Barton), Josh Alcock, George Wallis, Tom Saunders, Matt Burroughs (Sam Broomfield)

Sussex Carpet Centre MOM: Blair Cooney Attn: 115