Painter praises another clean sheet as Heath beat AFC Uckfield

The Bears recorded a third shut-out from their last four Premier Division games as they eased to victory at AFC Uckfield Town.

A Jake Holmes brace and goals from Tiago Andrade and Shaun Findlay completed a routine afternoon for Heath, who played with an extra man for more than 70 minutes of the clash.

Painter said: “Even prior to the sending off we were well on top and the sending off was a bit harsh to be fair to them.

“We knocked the ball around really well first half and played some really good stuff. Some good football from back to front, the back four played really well.

“It was a good performance and well-deserved three points. We are on a good run and there is belief in there. The Pagham loss was the kick-start we needed.

“One of the main things for me and I am probably pre-empting, but we are not leaking goals like we were at the start of the season, it is something we have addressed.”

Heath could have taken an early lead when Ollie Moore’s shot from 25 yards flew inches over the crossbar and Andrade was denied by Uckfield keeper Matt Dann.

They continued to press and the home side’s frustration boiled over in the 17th minute when Matt McLean was shown a straight red for a challenge on Andrade.

Heath continued to dominate play and broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when a Piers McDermott’s free-kick was finished by Andrade from eight yards.

Two minutes later, Dean Wright crossed from the left and Holmes’ right-foot volley flew in past Dann.

Dann made another brilliant save on 32 minutes to deny Moore’s free-kick and then Wright and Holmes from resulting corners, before Findlay added a third five minutes before the break.

The Bears were 4-0 up within two minutes of the second half as Moore played a ball across field to Holmes and he smashed home.

Dann twice denied Moore, while at the other end, Michael Chester was never really tested to earn a fourth clean sheet in the seven games he’s played.

Heath face Uckfield again tonight in the third round of the Peter Bentley Cup and Painter added: “I am going into it with six unavailable that played on Saturday.

“But we have a big squad now and players that can come in and do a job for us.”

Heath: M.Chester, Holvey (Weller 55), Robinson, S.Chester, Howard, McDermott, Findlay, Moore, Andrade (Sultan 63), Holmes, Wright (Sandell 63).

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