Haywards Heath Town 3, Crawley Down Gatwick 0: Saunders' men reach cup semi-final
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
Manager Shaun Saunders only made one change from Saturday with Matt Geard dropping to the bench still not 100% fit and Rob O’Toole regaining his place up front. Simon Lehkyj once again started in Goal, A back line of Bailie Rogers, Tom Graves, Nathan Cooper and Josh Bryant. Carl Dunk was partnered again by Ryan Warwick in the middle. Completing the midfield were Max Miller and Jamie Weston. Up front was Rob O’Toole and alongside him Callum Saunders after his hat-trick on Saturday. The bench consisted of Danny Turner, Freddie Barker, Scott Marshall, Matt Geard and Jordan Harris.
It was the first time the two sides had met this season and sitting 1st and 2nd in the league it was always going to be a tough but edgy affair.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe visitors started the game the livelier and pressed Heath in all areas, with just 5 minutes played a short back pass from Callum Saunders almost let the Crawley Down Gatwick striker in but Simon Lehkyj was quickly out to clear the danger.
It was the visitors who continued to create the better openings of the game and on 11 minutes Simon Lehkyj had to be on his toes as he was out quick to save well at the feet of the forward.
Heath’s first opportunity came from a Jamie Weston corner but Tom Graves could not get over the ball and his header flew over the top of the bar.
Crawley Down Gatwick then saw their own chance from a corner headed over the bar at the other end. Both sides saw half chances come and go with neither keeper being called into anything more than regulation saves. Both sides were battling hard in the centre of the park with both number 4’s Carl Dunk of Heath and Andy Goodwin of Crawley Down Gatwick putting in strong challenges.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOn 29 minutes the deadlock was finally broken, as Crawley Down Gatwick cleared the ball Heath full back Josh Bryant was first to it with a sliding tackle that found its way to Rob O’Toole, his early attempt was well saved but Callum Saunders was there to fire in the loose ball from 18 yards.
Much of the rest of the 1st half had little to report with the closest to a goal coming from Tom Graves as he connected well to a Nathan Cooper cross but his header drifted wide on 40 minutes.
With the game so finally poised at the interval with Heath just about having their noses in front through the goal everyone expected the visitors to come out all guns blazing but with just a minute on the clock in the second half Rob O’Toole broke down the left and his low cross was put into his own net by the Crawley Down Gatwick defender via a few ricochets and pressure from Max Miller.
Callum Saunders was next to go close bringing a smart save from the visitors keeper.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Heath back line was working brilliantly and was dealing with any pressure the visitors could mount. The game was still just as competitive in the middle and Rob O’Toole picked up Heath’s first booking with a clear tug back.
Heath made their first change on 74 minutes with Freddie Barker replacing Max Miller.
On 78 minutes it was game over, Callum Saunders ran at the heart of the Crawley Down Gatwick defence before cutting inside and being brought down inside the box. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot and Rob O’Toole stepped up and slotted home sending the keeper the wrong way.
With ten minutes remaining Matt Geard replaced Ryan Warwick to add that extra cover in the middle.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWith time running out the Visitors saw a header saved by Simon Lehkyj in the Heath goal and Nathan Cooper saw his header at the other end drift wide.
As the clocked ticked down Scott Marshall replaced Josh Bryant in the back line, Freddie Barker picked up a yellow card for one foul to many in the referees eyes.
After 4 minutes of added on time the referee ended the game and Heath booked their semi-final place with either Mile Oak or Lingfield.
Man Of The Match – Nathan Cooper– Solid at the back on both the ground and in the air.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAfterwards Manager Shaun Saunders said: “It was a tough physical battle that we faced tonight, we never really settled down in the first half and were fortunate to go into the break ahead. I thought we settled down much better second half and took the game to Crawley Down Gatwick and deserved the win. I’m delighted with the clean sheet after Saturday’s sloppy goals against and delighted to be into the semi-final.”
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1 Make this website your homepage
2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex
3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex
4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!