Heath end on a high with victory at Eastbourne United

Broadbridge Heath ended the season with a 2-0 victory away at Eastbourne United to secure their highest-ever finish in club’s history.
Ollie Moore opened the scoring for Broadbridge Heath at Eastbourne United on SaturdayOllie Moore opened the scoring for Broadbridge Heath at Eastbourne United on Saturday
Ollie Moore opened the scoring for Broadbridge Heath at Eastbourne United on Saturday

With the league being rebranded the Southern Combination Football League from next season, Heath manager Steve Painter wanted to finish on a high as they took ninth place in Division 1, having been promoted last season.

Painter welcomed back Andy Howard as a late replacement goalkeeper and his former captain and centre-half, who has missed most of the season through injury, kept a clean sheet as The Bears recorded their 10th away league victory of the season.

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They took the lead midway through the half when Ollie Moore rose above everyone to power in a header from a Piers McDermott corner to bring his season’s tally to 24 goals.

Jamal Sultan could have added a second 10 minutes before the break but his shot was charged down by Eastbourne United’s keeper Russ Tanner.

The home side found chances limited in the opening half with their best effort on 44 minutes was when Dean Stevens headed wide of an open goal from a Jason Taylor cross.

It was the hosts who started better in the second half, Wes Tate looked the most likely Eastbourne player to score and saw one effort arrow narrowly wide of Howard’s right hand post, then hit another straight at Howard.

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On 80 minutes, Jason Taylor was foiled by an alert Howard after a long punt down field from Tanner but the Heath defence stood firm and twice came close to adding to their score.

Jake Legrange whipped in a low cross from the right which hit a defender and was deflected inches wide of the post, then a long throw from Rob Godfrey was struck sweetly by Jake Holmes but flew straight into the arms of Tanner.

In time added on, Sultan picked out Holmes with a delightful through ball and the Heath striker calmly slotted past Tanner with the outside of his right boot from 18 yards.

The season has greatly exceeded the club’s expectations, which back in August were just to try and keep away from the threat of relegation.

Broadbridge Heath: A.Howard, Sebuliba (Legrange 75), Robinson, M.Flack, Waddingham, Moore, Godfrey, McDerrmott (Mobsby 80), Andrade, Greg (Holmes 70), Sultan.