HEATH BEATEN BY DORKING

An early morning pitch inspection allowed the game to go ahead, but Heath's promotion push took a blow as a strong effective Dorking team out fought and out thought the home team and left Hanbury with three points after a comfortable win.

The first twenty minutes were very even with both sides getting used to the conditions, but Heath looked dangerous whenever they gave the returning Rob Cooper the ball as he was causing his marker all sorts of problems without quite being able to find the final ball. The first real chance came when Dean Pitcher was put through to advance on the Dorking keeper with the defense pursuing him, he tried to slide the ball to the left of the keeper who managed at full length to save the shot. Dorking then threatened at the other end forcing a smart instinctive fingertip save from Chris Turner when he touched a fierce drive onto the bar and away. The three Dorking forwards were proving difficult for the Heath back four but they were restricting clear chances and preserving the goalless score line up to half-time, but Dorking were starting to establish superiority with ex-Wimbledon pro Justin Skinner controlling play effectively from his holding midfield position.

The second half had just started when a cross from the left was steered home at the near post by a Dorking forward who finished well. They now pushed on looking for the second and the Heath defense upped their game to keep them out, and when the defense was breached Chris Turner was producing some good saves as usual. Heath were struggling to get their forwards in on goal as their normal close passing game was replaced by more direct methods, and these were easily dealt with by the Dorking defenders and their keeper who claimed any ball anywhere in the penalty area. With fifteen minutes left Johnny White made a good tackle on a Dorking player, but unfortunately the ball bounced kindly and enabled the forward to slot past Chris Turner for the vital second goal. Heath pushed on but were unable to create any clear cut chances and with less than ten minutes left a cross was headed in by the lanky centre forward for Dorking's third goal to seal the win. There was time for two Heath youngsters, Luke Paskins and Jack Hobbs to make their debuts in the First team, but the three points had long gone.

Heath will be looking to put this disappointment behind them in their next league game which is on Saturday 14th February as they entertain Uckfield Town at Hanbury Stadium with a 3.00pm kick off, everyone is welcome with under 16s watching for free.

The following Wednesday night, 18th February Heath are again in action at Hanbury with a 7.45pm kick off against Eastbourne Town Reserves in the 4th round of the Sussex Intermediate Cup.

Team

Turner, White, Wright, Howes, Watts, Cooper, Day, Beard, Mvale (Hobbs 85), Frietas (Paskins 85), Pitcher D

Man of the Match

Cooper