Whyteleafe 1 Horsham 1

Friday 14th April 2006

Horsham’s 1-1 draw at Whyteleafe this Good Friday afternoon has blown the Ryman League Division One promotion race wide open, writes Mike Green.

The Sussex side now join Jimmy Ward’s Ramsgate level on points at the top of the table but the Rams have now an all important game in hand which comes on Easter Saturday at Leatherhead.

Horsham, a shadow of the side that beat Ramsgate just two weeks ago, fell behind deservedly on the stroke of half time when former Bromley striker Mark Tompkins reacted quickest to a cross from the right.

Horsham goalkeeper Rob Frankland, having an afternoon to forget, almost presented the home side with the lead ten minutes earlier when he spilled Tompkins’ cross but Ellis Conroy was just too slow in reacting.

The equaliser came 17 minutes after the break and in truth was the only football the high-flyers showed in the entire second half.

A sweet move down the right saw the ball whipped in and Lee Carney reacted quickest to steer the ball home.

In truth Whyteleafe had the chances to win the game late on, despite Horsham actually putting the ball into the net three minutes from time when the ineffective James Taylor headed home yards offside.

You have to say the pressure is increasing on the Sussex side, giving that Tony Dolby’s Tonbridge Angels and Clive Walker’s Dover Athletic are now surely in with a fighting chance of gaining one of the automatic places after all.

But real winners this Good Friday are Jimmy Wards’s Rams who now know if they win three of their remaining four fixtures will go up with the Ryman League crown heading to Southwood.

Next stop Fetcham Grove where this fascinating tale will continue on Saturday afternoon.

Full LIVE match commentary can be heard on BBC Radio Kent 774 MW.