Saltdean Match Report

The Blues welcomed Saltdean to the Home Smart Energy Stadium for the first outing of 2024. The Tigers struggling for form at the bottom end of the SCFL Premier Division. Naim Rouane spoke in his programme notes of the need to not underestimate the visitors and it was a strong 11 that was named. Bresciani starting in place of the injured Hendy with Skerry, Benson and Connolly making up the front three.

Heath started strongly with the fluid passing football that Roaune has instilled on full display, Heath made early headway down their right hand side and a Spinks through-ball found Skerry in space beyond his fullback. His cut back to Napper was defended, amongst a gentle protest from Napper who felt he was fouled.

In the 10^th minute Heath thought they had opened the scoring when Lewis Finney won the ball back high up the pitch and was able to play a delightful ball through the line of the Saltdean defence and Skerry was in again. He cut inside the defender and unleashed a left-footed strike which cannoned off the underside of the bar and down onto the line. The Assistant was unmoved and the scores remained level.

The Blues finally did take the lead in the 24^th minute when clever interplay between Finney and Connolly sent the latter away on the left side of the box. His low cross was expertly converted at the near post by Liam Benson.

Benson should have had a second in the 38^th minute when his clever run defeated a sloppy offside trap and he was in 1v1 with the keeper. After rounding him he rolled the ball goalwards but with just not enough pace to beat the recovering defender who did well to clear off the line.

The second goal did come early in the second half when Cadman’s strong run down the left resulted in a cross into the box. The Saltdean keeper could only parry this up into the air and Hayden Skerry was on hand to calmly finish into the unguarded net. A two goal lead that was thoroughly deserved by those in Blue and White.

Heath’s scoring was completed in the 66^th minute with Elliott Bresciani heading in an in-swinging corner for his first goal for the club. The young central defender obviously delighted to get on the scoresheet for the first time.

In the 87^th minute the Heath defence switched off from a Saltdean freekick out wide on the left and allowed an unmarked Saltdean attacker a free run at the ball and his header found the back of Alfie Jone’s net.

Town saw out the rest of the game in relative ease, the last piece of drama occurring in the 89^th minute when Finney set Benson away on goal. The Saltdean number 1 having a rush of blood to the head and charging out of his box in an attempt to beat Benson to the ball. The keeper finished that race in a distant second, wiping out Benson and earning himself a red card in the process. Saltdean then playing the rest of the game with an outfielder between the sticks.

Heath’s unbeaten run since their exit from the Vase continues and we now look forward to the visit of Peacehaven and Telscombe.