Broadbridge Heath hurt by Herne … Mile Oak edge past Saltdean

Heath travelled the long and winding road on a cool autumn evening for a league match against an in-form Herne Bay who have started the season really well. An unbeaten winning start to their league campaign and with just two defeats from eight games, those coming in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy.

Simmons’ Broadbridge Heath side were also unbeaten in the league with four wins and a draw from their opening five matches so this showed all the signs of a close contest and that’s how it proved to be.

Heath started brightly and had the first shot on target on 3 minutes when Zac Young’s left foot effort from distance was deflected wide of the post.

At the other end the lively Emmanuel Robe was a constant threat down the right flank with his pace and close control and he created the first opportunity for the home-side on 12 minutes whipping in a right wing cross to Jacob Lambert who found space just outside the penalty area to strike a left foot shot over the Heath crossbar.

Back to the other end and this time it was Charlie Connell picking up a loose ball some 20 yards from goal and hitting a right foot shot narrowly over the Herne Bay crossbar but it was the hosts who took the lead on 18 minutes with Robe the architect of a move down the right flank ending with a pin-point cross onto the head of Lambert 8 yards from goal who powered a header wide of Heath goalkeeper Alfie Hadfield to give his side the lead.

Heath hit back 10 minutes later when Louis Evans won the ball off a defender some 30 yards from goal, the ball was played out to Lorenzo Lewis on the left who in turn slipped a return pass inside to Evans who struck a right foot shot from 25 yards.

It beat Tom Wray the Bay goalkeeper at full stretch and cannoned off the foot of the post, flew across the face of the goal where it was turned in from close range by Sam Hards, his first goal for his new club and it remained al square at the break.

The Bears were caught cold in the second half with some supporters still returning from half-time refreshments. The Bay kicked off the half and played the ball down the right flank where it was put out for a throw-in.

A long throw followed into the penalty area where Taylor played it into the path of Robe who took the ball to the goal-line before cutting it back to substitute Henry Sinai whose deft touch at the near post steered the ball past Hadfield into the net to regain the lead for his side.

Both sides had chances to add to their score, the Bears best came midway through the half when Sean Terry went on a forward run down the right flank into the penalty area where the ball was played into his path but the excitement proved all too much for the defender as he fired a right foot shot narrowly wide of the post.

At the other end on 75 minutes another Robe attack down the right ended with the winger playing a pass inside to an unmarked Taylor who struck the ball first time but was somehow denied a goal by a superb Hadfield save pushing the ball away for a corner.

MOM: Alfie Hadfield

Simmons said afterwards: “Herne Bay are the best side we have faced so far this season and we pushed them all the way, in the end it was one moment of us switching off which cost us but I can’t fault the lads who gave everything.”

BBH: Hadfield, Terry (Bejashvili 85), Royall, Solecki (Church 85), Peters, Richardson (Hyde 85), Lewis (Yakubu 60), Connell (Thiselton 70), Hards, Evans, Young.

ANDREW CRISP

…

Mile Oak v Saltdean United

SCFL Division 1

Mile Oak emerged triumphant in a tight match against local rivals Saltdean United, Marley Ambler’s emphatic penalty strike enough to take the points in Tuesday’s Division 1 clash.

Two evenly matched outfits cancelled each other out in the first 45 minutes with little to excite a decent crowd. The game eventually burst into life following a red card on 40 minutes, the Tigers Jesse Burbridge dismissed for a dangerous tackle.

Oak came out flying in the second half, the irrepressible Harry Robins causing multiple problems for the Saltdean defenders, Robins provided chances for Alex Masters and Alex Joy but neither could find the net.

Eventually Ribins decided to go it alone and charged into the box, about to shoot, he was clattered from behind and Ambler did the rest.

Defending their lead and possibly mindful of the late goals that gave Saltdean victory in last month’s Peter Bentley Cup tie, Oak began to drop deep and the 10 men began to create some half chances.

However, the home defence held firm – pleasing manager Kieron Ridley who said “ I was really pleased with the three points which I think we fully deserved. We were aggressive and played on the front foot, and got our rewards.

"Defensively we were spot on and it would be unfair not to mention Liam Smart’s performance after his injury. We now have to find a way to being more consistent. We’ve shown in spells we can compete with anyone but we have to do that game to game, not just in moments. And definitely not just at home.”

STEVE CARDEN