SUPERB HEATH WIN CUP

A superb team performance left Heath definitely singing in the rain as they won their first silverware for years in the Division 3 Cup Final on Good Friday at a rain soaked Wick FC ground, in front of a big crowd where the most noise was coming from the loyal Heath travelling fans – their very own Barmy Army, who roared their heroes on to this hard fought, and well deserved victory.

The overnight rain had nearly caused the game to be moved as there was a fear that the pitch would be unplayable, but it transpired that the pitch played a huge part in the game and the excitement that occurred. Heath had done their homework on their opponents and changed their normal formation from 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 to combat the speedy direct Dorking forwards. Some might say this was a huge gamble by the Heath manager Matty Beard to change things for a final, yet it proved to be a managerial masterstroke as the Heath defence kept another valuable clean sheet against their much lauded opponents, and surely provided a blueprint for other teams who have to still play Dorking as to how to beat them.

The whole game was a contrast in styles as Heath looked to get the ball down and play their normal fluent passing game, whilst Dorking played longer and more direct looking for flicks off their tall centre forward. The first ten minutes flew by without much goalmouth action as both teams got to grip with the soaked pitch and the steady rain, but Heath then created a couple of half chances with Luis Frietas having a jinking run and a cross shot, and then another move between him and Beard led to a Louis Wright shot from distance that was just too high. At the other end the Heath defence of Johnny White, Tommy Howes and Louis Wright were coping with the arial threat from Dorking, although a couple of times chance were created that gave Chris Turner work to do in the Heath goal, but yet again this season he was equal to the task whether it was coming for crosses, saving shots or diving bravely at the feet of the attackers – nothing was going to get past them and you could see their confidence spread through the team.

This was shown as a couple of half chances for the Heath strike force of Kevin Cooper and Dean Pitcher were worked but shots went just across goal and wide, before Cooper reacted to another chance before the Dorking defenders in a crowded area could, as he nodded the ball into the net from six yards to open the scoring. It has since been established that in his career goal tally, which is considerable, this was something like the fifth one scored with his head! Heath pushed on and with five minutes left in the half a clever ball from Cooper put Dean Pitcher through. He reached the edge of the box and smashed the shot, but the Dorking keeper produced a superb save to push the ball away. Then just before half time Heath had a corner that was semi cleared, but then thumped clear down the Dorking left into the Heath half with the quick Dorking forward Jones after it, and only Louis Wright able to cover for Heath. He tried to get over to make the challenge but with the soaking conditions he had to slide tackle and as he did that Jones nicked the ball, which ran through harmlessly to Heath keeper Chris Turner to pick up. Unfortunately Wright couldn’t stop his momentum given the conditions and he flattened Jones, albeit not intentionally. With the Dorking contingent baying for blood, the referee took his time and all factors into consideration before correctly booking Louis Wright as the last act in a gripping first half.

The incident before half time had served to stoke up Dorking and they started the second half menacingly as they went straight on the attack, launching balls into the box and piling men forward for the knock downs and flick ons. The defenders were challenging for everything and winning their fair share but a couple of times Chris Turner pushed attempts away, and the one time that he was beaten the ball looped over the bar and onto the top of the net much to the relief of he whole Heath team. After fifteen minutes of the half, Ant Humphries made a tackle five yards in the Dorking half when from nowhere and for no apparent reason, the Dorking right back launched a two footed lunge at Humphries knee – with the ball nowhere near the incident. This time it was the Heath contingent baying for the ultimate punishment as their captain lay stricken on the turf. The referee again took his time, and showed complete consistency in line with his first half decision when he refused to punish the assault with a red card.

This incident seemed to inspire Heath as they produced a couple of flowing attacks, one of which was from their own box and included two back heels and one nutmeg before culminating in a shot from the left which was saved by the despairing fingertips of the Dorking keeper at full stretch – a magic moment to illuminate the day. As time started to run out Dorking pushed more players forward as their keeper thumped balls down field, but they didn’t create any clear chances, whilst Heath always looked threatening when they attacked, and from another move down the left the ball came in and "King Kev" notched his, and Heath's second and decisive, goal with a quality finish, whereupon he was submerged under his gleeful team mates.

Heath played out the couple of minutes remaining with no alarms and then as the final whistle went they knew they had won as their happy supporters joined them on the pitch. Dorking had played well but hadn’t converted any of their chances, and Heath had played superbly as a team and all done their jobs, whilst they created the best chances and shown their cutting edge by getting the only goals of the game to gain a deserved victory and silverware to take back to Hanbury.

Ant Humphries collected the trophy, Tommy Howes was named Man of the Match by the League officials and Heath headed back to celebrate their victory with their fans at a noisy Hanbury Stadium! Superb!

Team

Turner, White, Wright L , Howes, Humphries ( Moores 60), Beard, Cooper R, Breeds (Plummer 70), Cooper K (Wright A 89), Pitcher

Man of the Match

The whole Cup winning TEAM