Convincing 2nd half brings 3 points to Heath
After a 10am pitch inspection was failed at The Oaks it looked like Heath were going to suffer another fixture loss to the weather, but a rare venue switch allowed the SCFL league match to be played at the Home Smart Energy Stadium. Naim Rouane’s lineup notably included the return of Darius Goldsmith who missed the last 2 games through injury. The Heath gave the Oaks an early wake-up call, hitting the post twice in quick succession, the first shot from Abudiore with the ball falling to the feet of Skerry who was denied by Holmwood at full stretch and tipped it onto the woodwork and out for a corner.
Darius Goldsmith opened the scoring in the 37th minute, a poor clearance from the goalkeeper landed in the path of the midfielder, a few steps into the open space was all that was needed for him to open up his body and unleash a shot which found the back of the net. Despite their league position, Uckfield wouldn’t make the first half easy for the Blues and on the brink of half time they levelled the scores, a great hit from just inside the box crashing against the post and leaving Bromage with no chance.
Heath took things up a gear in the second 45, and it wasn’t long before they retook the lead, goalscorer Goldsmith became the creator delivering an inch-perfect cross to the back post, the header from Hayden Skerry well placed and beating the goalkeeper. The in-form Emmanuel Abudiore extended Heath’s lead, a fluid passing move allowed Geard to find Abudiore who took on the shot with his first touch and hit a sweet bending shot into the bottom corner. Things only got better for the Heath who made it 4 in the 72nd minute, Adbuiore’s switch was well brought down by Skerry who was given time and space to pick a shot, and he did just that as the result of the match looked inevitable.
Rouane utilised all of his available substitutes with Geard, Abudiore and Blencowe being replaced by Benson, Rhodes and Hendy in the 73rd minute, and then made the final 2 changes in the 80th, Wood and Connolly taking the place of Skerry and Goldsmith. There was just enough time for a 5th Heath goal, 3 substitutes combining, Connolly’s press allowed James Rhodes to feed a through ball between the Uckfield back line, and Benson remained composed tucking the ball to the keepers left and wrapping up a classy and clinical second half and giving Heath a much-needed bounce back in the SCFL.
