Broadbridge Heath go top with win at Cray Valley

This was Heath’s first away league game of the season, against a Cray Valley side who have had a mixed start to the season since there relegation after two seasons in the Isthmian Premier.

Heath have made a great league start at home and made one change as Jay Richardson returned after three weeks out with concussion for the suspended Tito Salaam.

Heath had the first opportunity to go in front after only three minutes when Ben Royall released Doughty whose great run and finish looked to have put the Bears in front, only to see the assistant’s flag raised.

Cray started to get into the game, forcing corners and having a couple of long range efforts, but on 12 minutes a mix-up at the back for the Bears gifted Cray a great chance, but they found Hadfield in good form to make a great early save.

In the 22nd minute Heath did go in front after a Louis Evans shot was blocked and Charlie Connell was quickest to react give the Bears a 1-0 lead,

Heath were in ascendency and were nearly 2-0 up a couple minutes later when Doughty was put through on goal but his shot was narrowly wide of the target.

Cray were level in the 30th minute when great pressure from former Horsham forward Chris Dickinson caused a mix-up at the back for Heath and Whitby was quickest to react and put the hosts level.

Heath were back in front in the 39th minute when a good passing moved ended with Young setting up Connell for his second of the game to make the score 2-1 at half-time. Cray started the second half well and were pushing for an equaliser but were caught on a counter attack in the 60th minute when a quick break from a Cray corner should have seen Heath go 3-1 up.

Doughty was released down the left and crossed for Young and with only the keeper to beat he put his shot just wide of the target. Only 10 minutes later Young did have the ball in the back of the net, only to see the assistant’s flag up once again.

Cray could have gone level in the 69th minute when a scramble from a free-kick fell to Gordon but his strike was brilliantly saved by Hadfield to keep the score at 2-1.

And three minutes later Heath were 3-1 up with a great run and cross by Evans for Doughty to get his sixth of the season.

In the dying minutes of the game substitute Pemi Yakubu was put through on goal by Young and he scored his third of the season to give Heath a 4-1 win away from home.

MoM: Charlie Connell.

Heath boss Chris Simmons said: “It was a strange game because we have played better football than that this season, but it was by far the best grittiest, hard working performance we have put in against a strong direct Cray side full of experienced step three players. The lads are gelling well on and off the pitch.”