Five-star Broadbridge Heath notch up substantial double over Horsham YMCA

Broadbridge Heath recorded a huge 5-1 win at near-neighbours Horsham YMCA on Tuesday evening. Pictures by Tim Hewlett

When the teams met at the Countryside Stadium in the first group match of the tournament, Heath won 3-0 following which YM triumphed in both of their matches, while Heath lost their two.

But, in the re-match, Heath secured a comfortable win, notching up a substantial double over their near neighbours.

After a scrappy start, a Heath corner induced a good low save from YM keeper Jack Webb-Olley, who was then called upon to fend off a long range Heath blast for another set piece.

Action from Broadbridge Heath's 5-1 win at Horsham YMCA

YM, though, burst into action with a strong Will Read shot being deflected into the arms of Alfie Hadfield in the Heath goal.

A Heath curler was headed wide before Jamie Taylor’s strike was blocked, only for the ball to reach Charlie Parminter, whose innocuous looking shot appeared to be going past – until it caught the inside of the post and trickled in.

Webb-Olley then rushed out to punch clear Sam Jobbins’ cross, but within three minutes of their first goal Heath scored again when Jed Hooper-Ridsdale piled in a rebound, giving YM’s keeper no chance.

YM responded with a corner and Hadfield dropped the ball, but the attack ended harmlessly. Two Heath strikes came to nothing ahead of YM reducing the deficit with a well hit Read goal.

Both sides created unfulfilled opportunities, then, just before half time, Craig Goodsir converted cleanly from the spot after being tripped in the area, Heath going into the break with a healthy two-goal cushion.

Resuming, Charlie Maguire and Jack Ryder combined but Hadfield grabbed the volley, the subsequent corner being headed wide by YM captain Charlie Cooke.

Hadfield was busy again, keeping out two Maguire probes, however, when action switched to the other end a Taylor rocket hit the bar with the keeper under pressure, and, after YM had several chances to clear, Heath put the game completely out of reach in the 69th minute, Jobbins hammering home.

YM kept pushing, but Heath twisted the knife when sub Ben Cooksley calmly slotted in from a breakaway attack. Although YM retaliated, the result had long since been decided.

Heath manager Chris Simmons told the County Times: “I’m 100 per cent delighted with that performance – we kept our shape and the ball and want to take that into every game!”

Lee Maguire, YM’s assistant manager was understandably more circumspect, saying: “I can’t criticise our effort, but, compared with Heath we were a bit short of experience up front.

"We weren’t where we wanted to be in the first half, but we competed for most of the second, and now need to re-group for our visit to Loxwood on Saturday (when Heath travel to Alfold)”.