YOUNG BEARS HIT NEW HIGH

Heath, with 7 players under 23 in the starting line up and another 4 on the bench, put in an impressive performance to beat the best team seen at the Countryside Stadium this season.
With Rob Godfrey, Martyn Flack and Josh Tuck injured and Max Howell and Connor Smith out of the country, Heath employed Jamie Robinson and 17-year-old Cameron Watts in the full back positions and were boosted by the presence of Horsham legend Gary Charman alongside 20-year-old Alfie Jones at centre half.
Peacehaven started fast and Heath had to work hard to contain their slick passing and movement. The first attack of the game saw Mikey Lloyd blast over from the edge of the box. At the other end Alieu Secka had to dive at the feet of Roberto Carvalho to prevent the Heath wide man from opening the scoring. Then Mitchell Bromage had to go full length to push a Cheesman shot past the post. The visitors continued to have the greater share of possession but were gradually being forced into playing more hopeful balls and Heath were beginning to look more confident. One exception was when Lloyd played a one two in the box before side footing past the far post.
As half time approached Heath were getting forward more and Watts fired in a dangerous cross that just evaded Jamie Taylor at the back post. Then an off the ball clash which saw Lee Carney knocked to the ground was immediately followed by a foul on Carvalho and after prolonged treatment and a discussion between the referee and his assistant, the free kick picked out Charman at the far post and his header found Taylor who on the turn scuffed his shot and Carvalho managed to squeeze it over the line before a defender hooked it away.
The second half started with both sides sharing the possession and attacking but Heath were not allowing the visitors to trouble keeper Bromage. Heath started to push visitors back and Andy Waddingham’s drive was cleared off the line by Marcus Allen. Then after a couple of Peacehaven corners the ball fell to Allen whose shot took a deflection to completely wrong foot Bromage and bring the scores level.
Heath responded positively and despite losing Carvalho to injury continued to threaten down the flanks with sub Jake Hull and Tim Cook. It was Cook who restored the lead when his drive from 20 yards squirmed under Secka to give him his third goal of the season. Almost immediately a piece of quick thinking by Bromage saw him hoist a free kick over the Peacehaven defence into the path of Taylor who showed all his skill and experience to smash a volley inside the far post.
Despite having to replace Charman, who was playing his first game for months, Heath now looked comfortable and Ben Whitely, Hull and Louie Blake were combining well down the left with Hull going close to making it four. Then a moment of sloppiness allowed Ford to get in behind and make it 3-2. Heath tightened up and saw the game out, keeping possession as deep into the Peacehaven half as they could until the final whistle.
A performance in which every man played their part and one which the blend of youth and experience was shown to great effect. Anthony Storey the Uckfield manager took advantage of his sides postponed match to cast an eye over the Bears who travel to The Oaks next Saturday and you can be sure that he will be preparing a stern test for the new look Bears. Steve Painters team are now only 3 points behind fourth place and growing in confidence each week.
Heath: Bromage, Robinson, Watts, Charman(Whitely), Jones, Carney, Waddingham, Blake, Cook, Taylor, Carvalho(Hull). Subs Miller Sim Goddard