Brilliant Broadbridge Heath take the bragging rights over Loxwood

The Bears had already beaten the top three of Horsham, Eastbourne Town and Newhaven - but knew they would have their work cut-out against a Magpies side that had lost just one league game in three months and were eyeing third.

Heath, who won 5-2, were not completely out of form themselves, losing five in the same time-span, but having been battling a plethora of injury woes in that time.

Tim Martin shot narrowly past the post from distance, while Jake Holmes shot just over and then crossed to Martin who saw his shot cleared off the line.

The visitors grew into the game and had their first attempt at goal on 18 minutes when Ollie Moore got on the end of a free-kick to power a header towards goal which Michael Chester saved.

At the other end, a Piers McDermott free-kick was played into Tiago Andrade but again the Heath player’s effort was wide of the mark.

Heath were punished for those missed chances when the visitors took the lead 12 minutes before the break.

The ball was played into a crowded Heath penalty area, Chester cleared his lines but it fell kindly to Ross Swaine who buried it from eight yards.

Heath were level two minutes later when a long ball down the middle allowed Martin to run through and lob over Sam Smith.

Three minutes later it was 2-1 when Dan Attwater picked up the ball deep in his own half and ran through the heart of the Loxwood midfield before releasing Holmes who drew the keeper and slotted into the far corner.

Two soon became three when Andrade found the back of the net from eight yards, the referee at first disallowing the goal for offside, but after consultation with his linesman, who flagged for an offside Holmes, overruled himself.

On 77 minutes Heath scored their fourth from the penalty spot after Andrade had been brought down by Smith - who escaped without a card. Holmes’ right-footed shot kick crashed against the upright and he finished from the rebound. A minute later, Loxwood were awarded a penalty for pushing in the area Moore converted against his former side.

Any thoughts of a comeback were dashed when Martin’s corner was powered home by the head of Andy Waddingham to end Heath’s home season with a victory.

Heath: M.Chester, S.Chester, Robinson, Flack, Attwater, Waddingham, McDermott, Weller (D.Robinson 80), Martin (M.Clark 85), Andrade, Holmes.

Loxwood: Smith, Summerfield (Gill 75), French, Courtney, Holvey, Richefond, Napper, Cave (Bachelor 65), Swaine (Beard 65), Moore, Pitcher.

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