Combined Counties League Premier Division
Horley Town 3 Frimley Green 2
HORLEY Town boosted their survival hopes with a nail-biting 3-2 win over Frimley Green.
Despite remaining in the third from bottom relegation position, caretaker boss Anthony Jupp, who could not disguise his dissatisfaction with Town's performance afterwards, is still hoping to guide his depleted squad to top flight safety. But they made hard work of beating mid-table Frimley Green's ten men.
Kyle Hough, who had hit a post after only 14 minutes, broke the deadlock crucially after 22 minutes, shooting home the loose ball from close range after inconsistent visiting goalkeeper Adrian Giles had misjudged centre-back Lewis Forsdick's probing through ball on the edge of the penalty area.
However, Frimley Green equalised on 38 minutes, Ryan Page powering home a near post header from captain Nick Thumwood's right-corner corner, punishing slack marking.
The interval was reached at 1-1, Joey Taylor having been sent off by referee Aaron Goodwin following his second cautionable offence on half-time, having been booked after 29 minutes for another foul.
Horley's hopes were high again after 59 minutes, Asa Curtis restoring the hosts' advantage, netting at the near post after Nathan Jupp had set up the chance.
After 82 minutes Hough's right-wing flag-kick saw Nathan Jupp's goalbound effort denied along with successive follow-up attempts which were also blocked.
But success was assured eventually after 87 minutes when ever influential midfielder Ben Herdman led a breakaway, finding Curtis who crossed from the left for Herdman to be denied by Giles at the far post only for the playmaker to fire home the rebound, rewarding all of his hard work following a flowing move.
But Horley being Horley had to gift Frimley Green an 89th minute consolation goal, skipper Thumwood deserving his goal by firing home at the far post punishing further sloppy defending.
Three additional minutes were negotiated following further skilful substitutions by Weller from the substitutes' bench before Horley's precious three points were guaranteed.
Horley Town: George Hyde, Tom Winsor (capt), Jack Poplett, Ben Herdman, Anthony Jupp, Lewis Forsdick, James McElligott (Ashley Nadesan 53 mins), Charlie Smith, Asa Curtis (Corbin Turner 90 mins), Nathan Jupp (Barry Mountain 82 mins), Kyle Hough. Unused subs: Matt Chapman, Chris Weller.
Horley end their troubled campaign with a nail biting finale: Home to Hanworth Villa (Tuesday, April 29); Away to Mole Valley SCR at Leg of Mutton Field (Saturday, May 3).
