Heath out in marathon roller coaster ride

This amazing Sussex Senior Cup tie did not finish until 10.35pm and ended in disappointment for Heath.
Haywards Heath v Bexhill. Pic Steve RobardsHaywards Heath v Bexhill. Pic Steve Robards
Haywards Heath v Bexhill. Pic Steve Robards

The current Intermediate Cup holders twice led in extra time and also had a chance to win the penalty shootout when Danny Mobsby put his effort wide at 4-4. But when home keeper Graham Leach had his spot kick saved in sudden death, that signalled an early exit for Blues.

It also meant the roller coaster ride, encapsulated in the performance of Carl Morris, at least ended on a high for the visiting keeper.

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He had let Ben Hall’s shot squeeze through his legs six minutes into stoppage time to take the tie into extra time and then his error of judgement allowed Rick Peacock to head the hosts into a 5-4 lead.

But in fairness, he did pull off a flying save to keep out a Naim Rouane free kick, while opposite number Leach also pulled off a couple of wonderful saves during extra time.

The tie ebbed and flowed from the moment Adrian Harris launched his normal time hat-trick after two minutes.

By the 25th minute Heath were in front courtesy of Sean Ardley’s header and a low 25-yarder by Peacock.

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Westfield pressure early in the second half finally brought a deserved equaliser on 62 minutes and when Harris completed his hat-trick with a stunning strike 15 minutes later, it looked bleak for Heath until that late howler.

Home sub Mike Williamson once again defied his stature by heading his side in front a minute into stoppage time and then one-time Burgess Hill striker Dom Clarke struck either side of Peacock’s second to leave it down to penalties.

Heath: Leach; Fiest, Bygraves, Gardney, Hall; Mobsby, Tuckey, Juniper (Rouane, 54); Brazil (Williamson, 63), Peacock, Ardley (Wanstall, 78). Middy Starman: Alex Bygraves.

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