HEATH BAG GOOD THREE POINTS

Heath secured another three league points with a win against a tough battling Uckfield team, in a game played on a difficult pitch and with the constant background sound of the moaning Uckfield goalkeeper who amazingly kept up a tirade, most of it aimed at the referee, for all 90 minutes!

From the start the home team made the running, pushing Uckfield back towards their goal and making good use of the two wide men, Luis Frietas and Rob Cooper. Geoff Pitcher was proving effective as he pulled the strings in the middle of the park. Unfortunately for Heath the match was very bitty with fouls being committed, generally by Uckfield, which broke up Heath's momentum sufficiently to keep scoring opportunities to a minimum in the first half. Both sides made penalty claims that weren't given, and Heath midfielder Mark Beard made a couple of promising runs that took him clear of the defense, but then he was unable to finish as apparently the ball took a bobble each time that made him balloon the ball high and wide of the Uckfield goal.

The Heath defense had kept the useful Uckfield forwards under a tight leash in the first half, and this continued into the second period reinforcing the confidence and skill of the defense as a unit that has been such a feature of Heath's season so far. With the defense looking so solid, the Heath midfield was able to push forward to help the forwards get the goal their play deserved. By this time a couple of Uckfield players had received bookings as their challenges were getting more physical as they tried to stop the Heath attacks, but the home team’s shooting accuracy was not at its best and the stalemate continued until Heath scored after a free kick had rebounded from the Uckfield keeper and was returned towards goal and Dean Pitcher knocked it in. The ref gave the goal but after consulting with the Uckfield linesman he disallowed it.

Heath were now encouraged and were deservedly rewarded 15 minutes from time when a corner was played in and Johnny White met it firmly with a diving header which sent the ball into the back of the Uckfield net and the home supporters wild with relief and delight in equal measures. Uckfield pushed forward but were getting increasingly rattled and this was shown in their language used which resulted in a yellow card and then in a separate incident a red card. Undeterred they pushed again which led to a fine low save by Heath custodian Chris Turner, and then from another attack they managed to hit the post before the ball was cleared. Shortly after the final whistle ended the game with another clean sheet kept by Chris Turner and his defenders, and a welcome three points for Heath as they push up the table.

This week Heath are in 4th round County Cup action on Wednesday 18th February with a 7.45 kick off at Hanbury v Eastbourne Town Reserves and then on Saturday 21st February Heath are at home again v Little Common, 3.00pm kick off in a vital league game. For both matches all are welcome, under 16's free entry, come and support your local team and enjoy the hospitality.

Team

Turner, White, Wright, Howes, Humphries, Cooper, Day, Beard, Pitcher G, Frietas (Skinner 75), Pitcher D

Man of the Match

Freitas