Heath Progress to RUR Semi-Finals
It was only 3 days since Eastbourne United’s last visit to Hanbury Park, but an RUR Cup quarter-final meant the Heath had another shot to right the wrongs from the 1-1 draw in the league on Saturday.
The visitors were forced into an early change with injury in the 12th minute, and the visitors rattled the crossbar from a corner shortly after, it looked like Alfie Jones got a hand to it which of course meant another corner. In between the corners, the visitors had to make yet another change, this one looking the worst as a stretcher was required for the United man, a speedy recovery wished by all at the club.
Darius Goldsmith was the victim of a reckless challenge on the brink of half-time, the Eastbourne player entered the referee’s book but looked lucky for the card to be just a yellow one. Similar to the Saturday fixture, neither team could break the deadlock before the half-time interval. Heath skipper Byron Napper was making his 199th appearance on the night, and after some incredible patient buildup play, tapped in his own rebound to give the Blues the lead in the 54th minute.
His celebration was cut short by the attack of Eastbourne United’s number 6, who was already on a booking, it was a simple and swift decision for the referee, who raised a second yellow followed by the red card, forcing United to play with 10 men. But even that didn’t last long, 9 minutes after the first red card, Eastbourne were shown a second, this time a straight red. With the Heath having a 2 man advantage the pressure was immediately set on the United goalkeeper, Finney coming closest, weaving in and out of defenders in the box and finding space for a shot which rolled an inch wide of the post.
Heath shuffled the pack to see the game out, Pitcher was brought on for Minty in the 76th and then McCarthy replaced Geard in the 87th minute. And despite some late Eastbourne United pressure, the Heath dealt with their corners with relative ease until the full-time whistle. A much-needed win for the Blues at Hanbury Park, one which puts them into the hat for the Semi-Finals of the RUR Cup!
