Honours even as Heath continue their good form against YMCA

Visitors’ midfielder Stuart Chester finished from close range to break the deadlock after just eight minutes, but YM quickly levelled when Dan Sullivan tapped in a wayward Sam Schaaf strike at the far post.

Heath striker Tiago Andrade netted his fourth goal in as many games against YM to restore the away side’s lead shortly before the break, but their advantage was shortlived as five minutes after the restart Nick Sullivan converted a low Dan Evans cross at the near post.

Heath’s Shaun Findlay went close to winning it with a one-on-one chance on 85 minutes, but neither side could find a winner.

Since their return to the top flight, the Bears have taken eight out of a possible 12 points from the sides’ four league meetings, leaving YM manager Peter Buckland searching for an elusive first win over Steve Painter.

The YM boss said: “Broadbridge Heath are a good side and they are always up for coming down here and doing well. I beg to wonder what they might achieve if they put as much effort in every game as they do when they play YM.

“It wasn’t a bad game. At half-time I would have said that a draw at the end of the game would probably have been about right, but I think in the second half we really went for it and dominated.

“I thought the game was going to turn when we got the early goal in the second half.

“I think it was destined to end up as a draw and I’m reasonably pleased with the point. We probably needed all three points, but we won’t know until the last game of the season how valuable that point may prove to be or how invaluable not getting the three points was.”

Heath boss Painter was disappointed his side couldn’t hold out having led twice.

He said: “I spoke to Peter Buckland after the game and we agreed it was a fair result. YM are a good side and are not in the top six through luck.

“I had five players out but fortunately Tiago Andrade (dual-signed with Kingstonian) made himself available which was a massive boost. We have played some good sides recently and each time have only been beaten by the odd goal.

“I wouldn’t agree we only play well against YM! We also beat Eastbourne Town 4-2 in the cup and they are top. However, it’s a derby and we expect the lads to get up for this kind of game.”

Horsham YMCA: Fox, Carden, Burgess, Crane, Evans, Hibbert, Dugdale, Gedling, D.Sullivan (Donaldson 32), Schaaf (Wright 66), N. Sullivan (Smith 72). Unused sub: Gathern.

Heath: M.Chester, Ozga (Wickens 60), Flack, Howard, J.Robinson, S.Chester, McDermott, Weller, Findlay, Holmes (LeGrange 75), Andrade. Unused subs: Basson, D.Robinson.

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