Horsham 1881 2 vs 4 Charlwood Village Reserves

Horsham 1881 hosted Charlwood Village Reserves at Slinfold FC on the 4 October 2026, in a league fixture. Despite an early lead, Horsham 1881 were ultimately defeated 4-2 in a contest that saw both sides display attacking intent over the 90 minutes but many would argue the scoreline was majorly influenced by the man in black.

Horsham 1881 wanted to put last weeks result behind them and get back to winning ways and lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, aiming to control midfield and supply their lone striker. Daniel Dix returned to take his place between the sticks. The defensive line consisted of Carter at right back, Johal and Jestico as central defenders, and Iles at left back. The midfield five featured the returning Greenow on the right flank, Charlie Horrill keeping his place from last week, the returning vice captain Packham, and Maynard occupying central midfield roles, with Cannons operating on the left. Up front, Monniot was once again tasked with leading the attack. The substitutes named were Christopher Dix, Toloza , Oliver Parsons, and Arnold.

The match burst into life almost immediately as 1881 took the lead in the third minute. Jack Greenow, positioned on the right midfield, capitalised on early pressure to find the net with an excellent taken goal and give his side a dream start. However, Charlwood Village Reserves responded with determination, levelling the score through Suckling in the 20th minute to set the tone with an easy tap in after good work by the Charlwood front three to set up a fiercely contested encounter.

Already in the first half tensions had begun to rise, niggly fouls particularly from the away side going unpunished and off the ball incidents developing as the ref failed to take control early doors. He frustrated the home team further when failing to spot an obvious shirt pull, instead, accusing the fouled Greenow of not being strong enough, Greenow's over zealous response led to a cheap free kick which then caught the home side napping and as Stanley the Charlwood striker broke into the box closely marshalled by Carter he attempted a shot which Carter was adjudged to have handballed, a harsh call with Carters arm moving naturally for the challenge itself, however the referee said he had no option when pointing to the spot and Mountain tucked away the penalty for the visitors. These and similar incidents sadly riled the home side and the rest of the half became fractured and ill tempered, fouls from the away team continued to be brushed away and the home team seem to be getting a raw deal with the decisions often leading to off the ball skirmishes.

At the interval and a goal down, Horsham 1881 made swift changes to refresh their squad. Carter still nursing a minor hamstring strain, was replaced by Christopher Dix, while Toloza came on for Iles. Oliver Parsons also entered the fray, taking over from Horrill in midfield. These substitutions aimed to inject fresh energy and stability as the second half commenced.

Horsham 1881 showed renewed vigour after the break, and their efforts were rewarded in the 56th minute. Pete Monniot provided a crucial assist to Daniel Cannons, who struck to level the score at 2-2. Charlwood continued to cause the 1881 back four problems as they had done all game. The away side were quick to respond once more, regaining the lead just four minutes later in the 60th minute with a well taken goal by Mountain to secure his brace.

Questionable calls continued to litter the game serving only to frustrate the home team further. 1881 had a flurry of half chances but failed to turn them into meaningful chances, often the last pass or decision making, just off. Meanwhile the visitors’ relentless pressure and pace on the break eventually paid dividends again as they extended their advantage as Stanley added his name to the score sheet with a bit of fluke goal from distance in the 65th minute. Horsham 1881 made another substitution five minutes later, with Joel Arnold replacing the tiring Daniel Cannons in an attempt to bolster the midfield.

Then another moment of controversy a soft free kick once again going the way of the away side when it could have easily gone the other and Toloza was sin binned for sarcastically clapping. Despite further changes, including Charlie Horrill returning to replace Harry Maynard in the 80th minute and Ashley Iles coming back on for Darren Jestico two minutes later, the home side could not find a way back into the contest.

Sadly the game was dominated by poor refereeing decisions, some hugely questionable, and their influence on the result cannot be overstated. That said, the lesson for the home side is not to let a sub-standard performance take their minds off the game

Daniel Dix was named player of the match for his numerous saves and efforts to keep his team in the game despite the scoreline. Ultimately, Charlwood Village Reserves’ clinical finishing and resilience secured them all three points at Slinfold, leaving Horsham 1881 to reflect on a hard-fought but disappointing defeat.

For the time being the alarm bells are not ringing, Horsham 1881 continue to create chances but are being punished for not taking them and the back 4 continue to be tested more than they would like.

Onto another home game next week against Tarring in a league that quiets simply at the moment is hard to call.