Heath earn late winner at old friends Ash Utd

This was Heath’s second visit to the ground having previously played their many years ago in the FA Vase, and the Heath side was managed on the night by Ash United ‘Old Boy’ Steve Whiting, who made his senior debut for Ash as a 16 year old about the same time as Heath last played their.

Another 16-year-old Jamie Robinson made his first team debut for Heath, slotting in at left fullback, while they also welcomed back another former Heath youth team player Andy Howard, who has rejoined from Three Bridges.

Heath took an early lead when Tony White found space on the left flank and put in an inch perfect cross for Tiago, who rose above the home defence to score with a powerful header.

Gary Pritchard almost doubled the lead with a right foot shot from distance that dipped just over the crossbar but the midfield player did get on the score sheet ten minutes before the break when he inadvertently directed a header back to goal, and with Heath keeper James Fisher already out to gather it found the net to make it 1-1.

In the 73rd minute Cave’s cross from the left was met by Pritchard but his effort was cleared off the line by a defender, a few minutes later Fisher showed why he was rated one of the best keepers in Division 2 last season when he tipped a goalbound effort over the crossbar.

But in the final minutes Chris Copeslake drifted past two defenders before squaring for Cave who netted the winner from close range.

A good work out for Heath with a scratch team who at times played some very good football.

Heath: James Fisher, Tony White, Jamie Robinson, Gary Pritchard, Andy Howard, Martyn Flack, Giorgio Alfieri, Jamie Liddell, Tiago, Mark Cave, Michael Wood, Tom Whiting, Michael Brownlee, Shane Meech, Chris Copestake.