Painter pleased with ‘professional’ Heath in Sussex Senior Cup

The Bears boss Steve Painter was pleased with a professional performance despite feeling his side squandered plenty of further chances.

He said: “It was very, very unusual for us, but I almost named an unchanged side. We made one from the team that beat Eastbourne Town and it was a comfortable win.

“It should have been a few more goals as we were a bit wasteful. Against Eastbourne Town we had to play really well and, without being rude, against Ringmer we had to be professional and get the job done.

“We were worthy winners and I don’t think Michael Chester made many real saves, while we missed a few chances, although the job was done at half-time.”

Things could have been different for the visitors had Dominic Clarke converted an opportunity presented to him after just two minutes when Danny Attwater slipped allowing Clarke a free run at goal, but the striker’s shot went over the bar.

Heath’s best chance in the early stages came when a Scott Weller corner to the far post was met by Stuart Chester but his effort went just wide of the post.

In the 18th minute, Chester and Tim Martin combined well down the right flank, and the latter whipped in a near-post cross to Tiago Andrade who headed past the Ringmer’s Tom Betts.

The visitors almost replied immediately when Clarke struck a right-foot shot from 12 yards just over the bar.

In added time, Andy Waddingham played an inch-perfect pass through the heart of the defence for Weller to run on and finish under the advancing Betts.

Heath added a third in the 58th minute when Jamie Robinson played a through ball which defender Michael O’Callaghan, under pressure from Weller, tried to play back to his keeper but directed the pass into his own net.

Ollie Moore chipped inches over the crossbar and Andrade wriggled his way through a crowded penalty area before rifling a shot that Betts somehow kept out with his legs.

At the other end, Michael Chester made a superb save to prevent Jack Robinson from getting on the score sheet and then blocked another effort off the line.

Deep into injury time substitute Kieron Purkis making a welcome return from injury, combined well with Andrade before shooting low past Betts their Heath’s fourth.

Broadbridge Heath: M.Chester, Robinson, S.Chester (Purkis 65), Attwater, Howard, Moore Waddingham, Wragg (McDermott 60), Andrade, Martin (Holmes 46), Weller.

Read more from Painter in Thursday’s West Sussex County Times.

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