‘Process how we improve’ – Green says Haywards Heath Town will push again after promotion near miss
Boss Kev Green reflected on Haywards Heath Town missing out on promotion – and vowed: We’re determined to get this club back where it belongs.
The Blues’ bid to return to the Isthmian League ended when they lost their Southern Combination Premier play-off semi-final 1-0 at home to Peacehaven & Telscombe after Jack Barnes was sent off.
Heath had not been out of the top two all season and led for much of the campaign after starting with 18 straight league wins. They ended up with 89 points and 115 goals.
But Steyning overhauled them at the top to take the sole automatic promotion spot, while Peacehaven visit Guernsey on Saturday for the play-off final.
Green, who is staying as boss at the Hanbury for 2026-27, said of the play-off defeat: “We were the better side before the sending-off and had three really good chances.
“I don’t really want to comment on refereeing decisions. What I will say is that I thought it was still a very even game after the sending-off and the 10 men worked unbelievably hard.
“It just came down to moments and when Peacehaven’s moment came they were able to score. That’s football – you don’t always get what you deserve but I wish Peacehaven luck in the final.
“Everyone at the club is disappointed but we can’t go overboard as there were positives to take from the season.
“We were close to winning the league, won the club’s first trophy for a number of years [the Sussex RUR Cup] and took the club further than it’s ever been in the FA Vase.
“We have to process how we improve for this season and go again. We expect most of the players to stay and we want to add a bit of quality to help us really push again for next season.
“Our focus is still to get this club back to where it belongs.”