Ryman League Division One South
Chipstead 3 Horsham 1
CHIPSTEAD earned their second consecutive win as they looked to drag themselves clear of the Ryman League relegation zone.
An opener from Dan Moody swung the game in their favour after a nervy start against Horsham and then a brace from new signing Will Turl, the second of which was a little dubious, wrapped up the three points.
Horsham pulled a goal back before the break when referee Lister awarded a soft penalty to the visitors after spotting a handball in Chipstead's wall following a free-kick. Tony Nwachukwu converted.
And after beating Ramsgate 2-0 last weekend, Chips boss Steve Baker was pleased to earned a successive three points.
"I thought we started really well although the weather did help us pin them in their half," Baker said. "It was key getting the first goal though; for all our pressure if you don't score it isn't worth a lot.
"We took our chances when we had then but I thought we were quite solid all over the park. They had their chances as well though and Milan made a couple of great saves."
The Chips were already 2-0 when Stefan Joseph's shot was saved by Mike Hunter, playing his last game for the Hornets before hanging up his gloves, but the ball fell into the path of Turl to hit home.
After consulting with his assistant, Lister decided Turl had not been in an offside position and awarded the goal. It was a decision which infuriated the Horsham bench and led to Hornets boss Gary Charman being sent off, but Chipstead boss Baker has sympathy for his opposite number.
"We had a bit of luck with the third goal, because it was offside, anyone can see that," Baker said. "If I was sitting in the other dugout I would have been just as annoyed as Horsham were – it was a bad decision really.
"But we have had a few bad decisions against us recently too, and I don't think their penalty was a penalty. I spoke to Steve [Betancourt], who the penalty was against, and he said the ball hit him on the back."
