Heath Hold on Against Lingfield
The Heath welcomed Lingfield to Hanbury Park on Saturday in the SCFL, the visitors arrived unbeaten in their last 6 matches, with the Heath having won their last 3. Haywards Heath started on the front foot, with appeals for a penalty in the 7th minute, Emmanuel Abudiore knocking the ball past his man and both players going to ground, the referee telling the Blues winger to stand up and continuing play.
Soon after, Cameron Dobell, playing against his old club for the first time since joining the Heath back in late 2022, leapt highest to meet Riddington’s perfectly delivered cross into the box, the woodwork the only thing denying him from a goal against his former club.
19 minutes in and it was Heath’s number 19 who would find Heath’s opening goal, Emmanuel Abudiore set up by Uwezu and given time to place his shot to the goalkeeper’s bottom left. The goal takes Emmanuel’s tally to 2 in the league this season and 5 in all competitions.
10 minutes after, a second goal came from current season’s top scorer Hayden Skerry, his right-footed effort fired beyond Webb-Olley in the Lingers net with Abudiore and Goldsmith linking up to provide the latter with another assist to his tally. Moments before the half-time whistle, the visitors pulled a goal back through Stephen Hodge, his deflected shot leaving Alfie Jones rooted to the spot as he could do nothing apart from watch the ball hit the back of his net and the half was brought to an end shortly after.
The Heath disappointed to concede so late in the half but they led at the interval nonetheless. Shooting into the shed end for the second half, the game was brought to a prolonged halt whilst the Lingers number 7 went down with an injury to his leg, a stretcher was required, he was assisted by members of both teams to ensure he was taken to hospital as quickly as possible. Our best wishes go out to him and hope he has a speedy recovery.
The game resumed, with a total of 15 minutes added time to be played at the end of the 90, Sam Geard replaced goalscorer Skerry. The Heath saw out the victory and could have scored another in the dying moments, but three points is what Jay Lovett would be most pleased about. Man of The Match was awarded to Emmanuel Abudiore who was exceptional on the day, the Heath face Loxwood at ‘the nest’ on Tuesday night.
