Stunning first half performance sees Blues pick up 3 points
It was another midweek encounter at Hanbury, as Haywards Heath welcomed the visit of Midhurst and Easebourne in what would turn out to be a rather memorable night for the Blues. After a solid victory at the weekend, the Heath looked to use that momentum to get back-to-back wins. Despite both teams being level on points from their opening three games, the Heath felt positive as players returned and the squad began to gel.
It didn’t take long for the Heath to find their rhythm, as they tried to get on top of their opponents early. It was Dan Cadman who was able to open the scoring in the opening exchanges, as a deflected shot fell to him, making it a comfortable finish from close range. The Heath continued to strut their stuff, opening up the opposition at will. It didn’t take long for the Blues to grab a second, as Charlie Pitcher got on the end of the cross, as he opened his account for the evening. The Heath’s domination was getting into the heads of their opponents, as the goalkeeper was sin binned, forcing one of the outfield players in goal. Chances kept coming, with Dan Cadman again being involved as he was tripped up in the area. It was a penalty, which was cooly put away into the bottom left corner by Hayden Skerry. That wasn’t all the action for the first half an hour though – a fantastic run from Pitcher into the area and a composed finish meant that Heath already had a four goal advantage.
There was still plenty more action to come though, as the fans felt the Heath could score with every chance they got. Midhurst began to realise it wasn’t their day, when what looked like a cross from Darius Goldsmith went straight past everyone and ricochet off the post meaning it was now 5-0. An unselfish pass from Pitcher meant that Cameron Dobell could get involved in the action from close range as he got a well deserved goal to add to the Heath’s already extraordinary tally. The hosts were relentless and with confidence oozing through the team, Hayden Skerry struck a rocket from outside the box into the top of the net. With his double, it now meant that both himself and Pitcher were looking for a hattrick. If anyone thought that the first half action was over, they would be mistaken, as it was Heath’s number nine, Charlie Pitcher who was able to complete his hat-trick before the end of the 45. In what could turn out to be one of the most incredible halves of football for the rest of the season from the Heath, it meant that they went in at the break with an 8 goal advantage.
Unfortunately, history wasn’t going to repeat itself in the second half, as the visitors tried to avoid another 45 like they had experienced. There was one negative for the Heath, and that came when JJ Minty was on the end of a poor challenge, and had to leave the pitch injured. The Heath still had most of the chances in the second half, despite the visitors trying to get something to take home with them. There were half chances where it looked like Pitcher may get more, but none of these materialised into anything. A far quieter second half ended with the same scoreline as it started but that wouldn’t dampen the mood of anyone at Hanbury.
A match to remember and one that means the Heath continue their great start to the league season. It’s now unbeaten in their first four league matches and the squad only looks like it’s getting better every week.
