At five to three, a point at local rivals YMCA would have seemed like a good result, but at five to five Heath were left frustrated after a penalty deep into stoppage time gifted their hosts a third equaliser. There appeared no danger as Jamie Robinson slid the ball back to his keeper and barely a murmur as Sam Lemon tumbled in the box, but the referee pointed to the spot, stunning the Bears players and delighting the home squad. The Heath lads were furious and insisted the referee consult his assistant who had indicated to them that it was not a penalty. However, after a brief chat the referee confirmed the penalty which was duly despatched by Matt Daniel. After the game the YMCA management apologised for the decision, although they also felt they had had some calls go against them.
Heath had welcomed back Max Howell but were without keeper Michael Chester who was away for the holiday period. Paulo Okoye had recovered from a groin strain and took a place on the bench as the match winner from the last game, Cameron Watts, kept his place in the starting line-up.
Heath started well but gradually YMCA began to push them back and skipper Andy Waddingham, Alfie Jones and keeper Conor Evento had to deal with several dangerous crosses and shots from Lemon and Matt Daniel that fizzed wide. At the other end a dazzling run from Jake Hull sat two of the home defenders on the ground but his cross just evaded Jamie Taylor in front of goal. Then Watts drove into the other side of the penalty area but found the side netting and Harry Law had a shot narrowly over the bar.
As the half wore on Heath began to press their hosts further up the field and gained a succession of corners. From one of these Howell’s dipping delivery was met by Taylor whose brave diving header looped over Aaron Jeal in the home goal to give Heath the lead. It looked as though they would take this into the break but with the last attack of the half, Waddinghams’s clearance was turned straight back into the area and with Jones, Evento and YM’s Jack Ryder all trying to reach it, it was the striker who got the faintest of touches to bring his side level.
Heath began the second half again pressing inside the YM half with Jamie Wanstall and Law tireless in the pursuit of the ball. This positive approach soon paid off, as a spell of Heath possession around the YM penalty area resulted in a clever ball from Wanstall to pick out Taylor on the edge of the D and he turned the ball onto Howell who blasted the ball into the top left hand corner of Jeal’s net to regain the lead. Rather than sitting back Heath continued to press with Taylor and Howell constantly threatening to get behind the home defence and Watts and Hull showing what potential they have on the wings.
Tony Nwachukwu and Ashley Wadhams joined the fray and the hosts immediately looked more dangerous, gaining several free kicks and corners which Heath resisted solidly until Ryder took advantage of a hesitation in the Heath defence and deflected a near post header over Evento to bring his side level again with ten minutes to go. The game nearly boiled over when Watts was taken out knee high in front of the away dugout and had to be replaced by Okoye. Both sides were going for the win now and it was the Bears who looked as though they would take the three points when Taylor broke through, sidestepped a defender and smashed his shot into the top right corner, just as George Cousins had in last year’s fixture. But this time it didn’t prove to be the winner after the last minute controversy.
Heath:
Evento, Flack, Robinson, Jones, Waddingham, Wanstall, Law, Howell(Goddard), Watts(Okoye), Taylor, Hull(Blake). Subs. Callum Jones, Connor Jones.