My First XI 21-22: Matt Jones

Matt, Horsham's media guru, goes with a traditional 4-4-2 formation.

GK - Sam Howes - Horsham - Played all of our 60 games, keeping 19 clean sheets across all comps. Made a host of stunning saves and without him, we’d be in a much more perilous position in the league and I doubt we’d have gone as far as we did in the FA Cup. Add in all the off-field work he does with our youth teams and he’s a shoe-in

DEF - Jasper Pattenden - Worthing - Strong & pacey full back who’s looked class every time I’ve seen him. Got age on his side and can definitely see him playing at a much higher level in the near future.

DEF - Ryan Henshaw - Bishop’s Stortford - Helped keep a ridiculous amount of clean sheets, pushing them into a strong play-off position. Always in control at the back.

DEF - Tom Wraight - Hornchurch - Turned around their defence since he came in, again pushing them into the play-offs. 18 goals too, it’s a no-brainer.

DEF - Paris Hamilton-Downes - Carshalton - Been very difficult to play against in the three times we’ve played them this year. Strong, rides tackles with ease, got all the qualities you need from a full back.

MID - Lee Harding - Horsham - Our player of the season and easy to see why. A nightmare for defenders, he makes strong, powerful runs just as easily as he tricks past players. Very nimble and composed with the ball at his feet, and scored some absolute bangers. Always one of the first names on the teamsheet.

MID - Jack Brivio - Horsham - Glides through the centre of the pitch as if he’s floating. Played out of position at centre back for most of the season as injury cover but never really looked out of place. A calm & composed leader.

MID - Sam Youngs - Enfield Town - Just a really good player to watch. Brilliant both on the ball and his positioning off it. His link up with Faal has been unmatched.

MID - Muhammad’s Faal - Enfield Town - His goal record speaks for itself, and I’m sure his assist record would too (if anyone’s been able to keep count). Reminds me of Thierry Henry how he moves with the ball. Virtually unstoppable and deserves another shot at a higher level.

ST - Ollie Pearce - Worthing - Although his hat-trick of dubious penalties on New Year’s Day were bitter pills to swallow, his goal scoring record over the last three years has been ridiculous. A sense of inevitability about him whenever he’s in possession. Only thing that lets him down is his play acting and blatant attempts to get his opponents carded for nothing. Frustrating but I guess that’s the cynical side of the game, and he’s certainly a master of it. More than worthy of a place in the season’s best XI and I expect he’ll settle into the NLS with ease.

ST - David Smith - Folkestone Invicta - Again, all down to his goal scoring this year. Scored three times in three games against us, but always seemed unselfish too. Very tough to play against especially when he’s running at you. A very good, all-round player.

Thanks Matt- now let's have YOUR First XI. Remember, no more than three players from your club, but send it to Ian at townsendaround@gmail.com and you'll see it here soon.

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