Shooman 90+2′
Haywards Heath Town left it late to preserve their unbeaten league record as Harry Shooman’s 92nd-minute equaliser earned the Bluebells a 1–1 draw away at Horsham YM.
After the remarkable seven-goal second-half performance at Billingshurst in midweek, Heath returned to Southern Combination Premier Division action looking to continue their strong start to the league campaign.
The Bluebells enjoyed plenty of possession and created opportunities in the first half, hitting the post and the bar but found themselves going into half time all square. Despite Heath’s pressure, Horsham YM won a penalty in the 50th min which was calmly converted to give YM the lead.
As the second half progressed, Heath continued to push forward in search of an equaliser. Chances came and went, but the final touch continued to elude the Bluebells as Horsham YM defended their advantage.
With the game moving into stoppage time, it looked increasingly as though Heath were heading towards their first league defeat of the season. But the Bluebells kept going.
Deep into added time, Lukas Franzen-Jones won the ball on the left side and played it into the box, YM’s attempt to clear the ball hits Harry Shooman which ends up in the back of the net. There was little time remaining to find a winner, with the final whistle bringing an end to a frustrating afternoon but ensuring the Bluebells returned home with something to show for their efforts.
FULL-TIME: Horsham YM 1–1 Haywards Heath Town
On another afternoon, the chances created may well have resulted in all three points, but Shooman’s late intervention ensured Heath’s unbeaten league start continued.
After a week that saw seven goals scored at Billingshurst followed by a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser at Horsham YM, attention now turns to cup action as we face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Sussex Senior Cup on Wednesday night.
Haywards Heath Town goal:
Harry Shooman 90+2′