Off the mark! Haywards Heath break their league duck

Haywards Heath finally recorded their first victory of the season with a comprehensive 4-2 victory over high-flying visitors Hythe Town.
Haywards Heath Town in earlier home action against Hythe / Picture: Steve RobardsHaywards Heath Town in earlier home action against Hythe / Picture: Steve Robards
Haywards Heath Town in earlier home action against Hythe / Picture: Steve Robards

Played out on a wet and windy afternoon at Hanbury, Heath blew away their visitors with an impresive display that underlined recent performances and gave the home fans plenty to cheer about.

Heath, fielding two new debutantes in goalkeeper Sam Freeman and defender Luca Cocoracchio, signed from Worthing, began brightly but were soon pegged back by the visitors who forced a succession of corners as they went in search of an opening goal.

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It was however Heath who broke the deadlock on the half hour mark. Minutes earlier a tremendous effort from Jordan Clarke went just inches over the bar but then the same player jinxed his way down the left flank and his cross into the goalmouth saw a frantic scramble that resulted in Kieran Rowe stabbing the ball home at the far post.

The visitors responded with renewed attacks and with 39 minutes on the clock they were level. They were awarded a free kick out on the right and from this Dean Beckham was afforded the luxury of a free header as he powerfully levelled matters giving debutante keeper Freeman no chance.

Play flowed from end to end but it was Heath who went into the break with a goal from Michael Hill on the stroke of half time when he broke into the Hythe penalty area , picked his spot and coolly slotted the ball home to make it 2-1.

Heath opened the second period and within 10 minutes of the restart Michael Hill fired home the goal of the game on 55 minutes to make it 3-1 being put in through the centre he rifled his strike from 18 yards giving the visiting keeper no chance and put Heath firmly in the driving seat.

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Tom Gilbert then made it 4-1 stabbing home at the far post from a Michael Wilson free kick out on the left in the 68th minute it was indeed game over much to the delight of the home fans.

With literally the last kick of the game Hythe reduced the arrears when a misplaced clearance fell to Nick Dembele some 30 yards out and he drilled in a superb shot to make the final score 4-2.

One of the real highlights of the afternoon was the roar that went up from the famous old stand when Heath opened the scoring. It has been a long time since this Hanbury landmark has heard such a noise...

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