This hotly anticipated local derby turned into a bit of a damp squib in normal time, with the sending off of the Redhill No. 10 on 72 minutes becoming the turning point into what turned out to be a stroll in the park at the end.

With Adam Pullen still recovering from a twisted knee in last weeks FA Cup draw againdst Leatherhead, 18 year old Michael Constable starting up front was the only change to the starting lineup, which looked like a 4-4-1-1 with Dave Brown pushing on from midfield on the lefthand side to support Constable.

Both teams were very evenly matched for the first quarter hour, with both teams having chances, the best falling to Martin Harris who failed to get good contact and skewed it wide. Then Horley fell behind on 22, when a couple of defenders managed to get in each others way and the ball broke to Redhill who finished simply. Certainly Horley didnt deserve to be behind, but football is a strange game like that.

Horley pushed on and forced the ref to award 2 yellow cards against Redhill, one of which the Horley supporters felt could have been a straight red. From the resulting freekick of the last card, Chris Weller floated one across the box for a number of heads, and the ball eventually broke between Ben Herdman and skipper Danny Guscott, who both managed to ensure the ball went into the net, possibly off a defender. One for the Dubious Goals Committee to sort out I think.

But going into the break at 1-1 Horley must have been reasonably happy, but with manager Ali Rennie away on a personal day, it was left to coach Mark Lay to sort them out for the second half. The second half started evenly and it wasnt until Parker came on for Rollinson, and Dave Brown moved back into midfield that Horley looked to be getting the upper hand. Parker certainly made the difference as he held the ball up and came quite deep to pick it up and lay it of. Horley's passing game started to show and they had a number of chances without forcing a save.

Redhill then gave away a silly freekick just outside the box on the right. Guscott and Weller both lined up to hit it, but it was Guscott who forced a great save from the keeper top right, as he dipped the kick over the wall. as the ball came down the other end, Weller got entangled with the Redhill #10 who reacted badly and the ref had no hesitation in producing a red card.

Many of us were expecting fresh Horley legs for the last 15, but Mark Lay held them back for extra time. Redhill finished the 90 with 10 men behind the ball.

Poplett came on for Constable up front in extra time and had an immediate impact, harrying and chasing down the tiring Redhill defenders at every opportunity. Luck comes to those that make it, and as he harried the keeper clearing off the ground, he blocked the kick, picked up the rebound and lobbed the keeper to take the lead 1-2.

The second half of extra time was more of the same with Horley pushing on to close out the game, and Redhill struggling to keep the ball. Brown and Poplett combined down the left and managed to find Parker inside left, but without forcing a save.

The teams then exchanged corner kicks with both keepers catching easily and clearing. Redhill werent finished yet and managed to push on a couple of occasions with nothing left to lose. Turner came on for Herdmann, and went up front, with Poplett dropping back into midfield, and Turners pace caused Redhill some problems.

Horley closed out the game as a Harris break down the right manged to thread through a neat pass for Turner, who controlled, found space space and unselfishly squared the ball to Parker on his own, making the extra man pay, and Parker side footed into the roof of the net.

A good days work for the boys and we are looking forward to hsoting Lancing at the New defence in the next round.

Team: Chatfield, A Jupp, Winsor, Guscott, Weller, Harris, Herdmann, Rollinson, Eldred, Brown, Constable

Substitutes: Turner, Poplett, Hyett, Parker, Ward