Pictures: Haywards Heath Town Reserves reach Intermediate Cup semi-final

Haywards Heath Town Reserves progressed into the semi final of the Intermediate Cup with a 3-2 win against SCFL Division 2 side Rottingdean.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Feb 2016, 10:13 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 06:35 BST

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Haywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame LehkyjHaywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame Lehkyj
Haywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame Lehkyj

With the 1st team game falling to a waterlogged pitch at Crawley Down Gatwick all eyes turned to the quarter final match up between the reserves and their higher league opponents Rottingdean.

With two previous attempts at Rottingdean postponed the tie was switched to Hanbury and despite the overnight rain the pitch was deemed playable.

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It was an electric start and Heath took the lead in the second minute when Rick Peacock challenged well before prodding the ball to Ben Bacon who beat the keeper to the ball and found the bottom corner.

Haywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame LehkyjHaywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame Lehkyj
Haywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame Lehkyj

It was a stop start first half with tackles flying in, Rottingdean controlled possession well but good defending kept them at bay and Will Glenn went closest to doulbling Heath’s lead only for a brilliant point blank save to keep it at 1 until the 37th minute when an error at the back by Jerome Johnston allowed the striker to drill the ball under Craig Jackson.

Heath continued to work hard and the most fouled man on the pitch Ben Bacon again was brought down on the edge of the box on the 64th minute. Up stepped Rick Peacock who found the far corner leaving the keeper stranded to tie the game up at 2-2. As the game entered it’s final 5 minutes of normal time and looking like extra time loomed it was again Ben Bacon running at the Rottingdean back line asking the questions, quick feet in the box drew the foul and a penalty was awarded. Ben Bacon picked himself up and struck home the ball into the bottom corner to send Heath into the next round.

Heath will now face Worthing FC u21 in the semi final at Hanbury on Saturday February 20.

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Haywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame LehkyjHaywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame Lehkyj
Haywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame Lehkyj

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Haywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame LehkyjHaywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame Lehkyj
Haywards Heath Reserves beat Rottingdean 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup. Picture by Grahame Lehkyj

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