Blues regain senior status after nine-year wait

And that means victory in their last two games will guarantee them an incredible treble in manager Simon Corless’s first full season.

The title would add to the Division 3 and Sussex Intermediate Cups already on the sideboard this season.

It was not easy on Tuesday but Heath were worthy winners after looking the only team interested before the break and then scoring the only goal in a second half when the visitors did at last start to show a little more intent.

It was the smallest player on the pitch, Mike Williamson, who rose to head home the 71st minute winner afterRick Peacock had done superbly to work the space for an excellent cross from the left.

Heath have been beaten only once in the league and that was way back in August, while they are the only side to take three points off Sidlesham. That would make them worthy champions but there is still work to be done over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Kieran Purkis and Peacock both flashed shots inches wide of the same post early on and throughout the first half Heath looked the only likely scorers. Purkis had a header cleared off the line and Jamie Wanstall was just off target with a far post header back across goal.

Then just before half time Peacock got the better of Paul Grantham to go one-on-one but failed to produce a powerful enough finish to beat Lee Arnell.

Although Sidlesham pepped up a little after the break, there was no concern for Heath until after they lost impressive central defender Guy Harding. And even then the scres were relatively few.

The goal clearly rattled the visitors, for whom a draw would probably have been enough to earn the title, and tempers started to run a little high, leading to the dismissal of Gary Jones and Heath sub Dave Lucas 12 minutes from time.

Referee Paul John was right to show red to the Sidlesham defender as he threw all the punches but perhaps Lucas was a little harshly treated. Not so team-mate Mark Fiest who was booked less than minute later for telling the referee just that.

Heath: Hyde; Fiest, Bygraves, Harding (Rabbetts, 57), Hall; Mobsby (Lucas, 70), Williamson, Tuckey, Wanstall; Peacock, Purkis.