Loxwood brush aside Heath in the Sussex Senior Cup

Hat-trick hero Tim Martin is congratulated by team mates. Photo by Derek Martin

First half goals from Tim Martin and Shaun Findlay put the visiting Magpies in control, and though Heath briefly threatened to get back into the game when Ollie Moore struck a reply, further goals from Mark Cave and Eddie French sealed Loxwood’s passage into Round 2.

Loxwood boss Dave Cocoracchio said: “I was really chuffed with the performance, it was quite a battle first ten minutes but I thought we were much the better team for the rest of the game. That’s nine unbeaten in all competitions which is great for our confidence.”

Heath boss Steve Painter rested some players, meaning there was a youthful look to the Bears midfield.

In-form Tim Martin scored his sixth goal in three games

After an even opening striker Martin put the Magpies ahead when he outstripped a home defender and fired into the far corner for his sixth goal in three matches.

Loxwood stretched their lead when Findlay curled a free kick round the wall and into the bottom corner.

Painter switched to a 4-3-3 formation and Heath began to see more of the ball, though just before half time the lively Martin flashed a shot across goal just wide.

Heath began to come into the game as the second half progressed and hope was restored when Moore capitalised on a poor defensive clearance to volley over Paul Williams from out on the right.

That hope was soon dashed when Cave ran half the length of the pitch to score - a goal Heath were unhappy with feeling there had been a foul in the build up.

And centre back French then capped an imperious display with a thunderous effort from 25 yards.

Heath boss Steve Painter added: “No complaints from us, they were the better side on the night although we were missing a few. We were very naive but we were never going to win this cup, we have bigger fish to fry.”

Heath: Fisher, Etherington, Bates, Howard, Flack; Moore, McDermott, Chester, Sultan; Buhjun, Purkis,

Subs: Andrade, Wood, Alfieri, Whiting.

Loxwood: Williams; Holvey (Pett 80), Elkana, French, Elliott; Swaine (Frietas 89), Hoyte (Scally 83), Arthur, Findlay; Cave, Martin.