Eversley & California produced a spirited second-half display on the road at Horley Town but were narrowly beaten 2–1 in a closely fought Combined Counties Premier South encounter.

The Boars went into the match looking to build on a series of improving performances, but were forced into an early change when midfielder Sam Gardner picked up an injury inside the opening quarter of an hour. From the resulting free-kick, Horley Town struck directly into the top corner to take the lead on 13 minutes.

Just six minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage. A long ball forward wasn’t fully dealt with, and a fierce long-range effort found the top-right corner to make it 2–0.

Eversley regrouped at the break and came out firing in the second half. Their persistence was rewarded on 65 minutes when an Andy Clarke long throw was flicked on by Mitch Cooper, and Ollie Noyes forced the ball home at the back post to halve the deficit.

The Boars pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages. Ciaran Carolan saw a goal-bound effort cleared off the line in stoppage time before 16-year-old Henry Vermeulen, off the bench, had his late strike superbly saved by the Horley goalkeeper with the final kick of the game.

Despite the defeat, Eversley can take plenty of positives from another determined and resilient display, particularly their second-half response.

Full-time: Horley Town 2–1 Eversley & California
Half-time: 2–0
Boars scorer: Noyes (65’)
Attendance: 70