HEATH CONTINUE UNBEATEN RUN

Heath maintained their impressive unbeaten run with a hard earned point against a solid Forest team who twice led before being pegged back to share the points.

In warm sunny conditions in front of a good sized crowd Heath started poorly and indeed produced little for the home supporters to enjoy throughout the whole of the first half which Forest dominated. The fact that they only scored once was a reflection on the genius of Chris Turner in the home team goal who was outstanding, producing saves that had supporters gasping at their brilliance. He was beaten once, when a Heath free kick just outside the Forest penalty area was defended and then on the break they sped downfield and from the left wing the forward cut in and curled a shot into the right hand side of the net. With this encouragement Forest upped their game and almost immediately had claims for a penalty waved away by the referee, and then when one on one with Turner he produced a great save to his left, which within minutes he repeated when left even more exposed, when he stood tall and beat away the fierce drive from the onrushing Forest forward.

The half time team talk in the home changing room was an important one and had an effect because Heath came out and looked a different team as they immediately went looking for the equaliser. The passing and movement was slicker and they started to push Forest back towards their own area as they attacked with more menace. Rob Cooper was seeing more of the ball and started to get past his marker and get crosses in, whilst Ian Breeds was doing the same on his flank. After an hour a cross found Dean Pitcher who with no fuss slotted home from close range. Heath pushed on again now looking for a second and a couple of decent chance went begging with over hit final balls, and then Mark Beard played a neat one two but hit his shot straight at the keeper. Then suddenly a Heath attack was broken up and a long ball sent downfield. The willing Forest forwards chased it down, and after beating a defender the ball was pulled back into the path of the arriving forward who smashed it into the top corner of the net, just eluding Chris Turner.

Time wasn't on Heath's side now but to their credit they responded in positive fashion by continuing to play passing football and not resorting to hit and hope long balls. The chances continued to be made but again the final ball was just not quite right, but you sensed that the chance would arrive and eventually it did with Pitcher netting his second from close range as he turned a cross in. Heath now were pushing for the winner and a Luis Freitas piece of magic took him past two defenders, then he turned inside the third but his curling shot went just wide of the post. Then Rob Cooper had a chance but he was only able to head the ball into the keeper's arms when either side of him was needed.

The final whistle went before Heath were able to take a chance and so they ended up with one point, which over the ninety minutes was probably all they deserved even though they had chances to nick all three. They stay second in the league table with four games left to play.

This week Heath play on Good Friday April 10th against Dorking at Wick FC in the SCFL Division 3 Cup Final 3.00pm kick off, and then on Easter Monday at 11.00am they are at home against Pease Pottage in the last home game of the season. All are welcome, under 16's free entry, come and support your local team and enjoy the friendly Hanbury hospitality.

Team

Turner, White, Moores , Wright L (Plummer 60, Wright A 85), Howes, Humphries, Beard, Cooper R, Breeds (Freitas 60), Cooper K, Pitcher

Man of the Match

Turner