Heath joy is Robins agony
Haywards Heath drew first blood from what could be a season-long battle for supremacy between them and neighbours Hassocks – and earned FA Cup progress in the process.
Having been drawn to face each other in the FA Cup for the first time, Hassocks and Heath put on a dramatic derby in the extra preliminary round. And after 99 minutes, a Tuesday replay at Heath looked likely.
Yellow-clad Heath led 3-2 but had just given the Robins a lifeline when a Tom Frankland shot was blocked by the arm of Byron Napper for a last-gasp penalty.
Frankland took the kick but Town keeper Mitch Bromage went the right way and showed superb reactions to stick a hand down low and propel the ball around the post.
Heath pocketed a useful £1,125 in prize money and will host Deal Town in the next round.
Hassocks could at least take away the fact they had pushed the SCFL title favourites all the way.
The Robins took the lead with only three minutes on the clock. Fraser Trigwell and Liam Hendy combined to play in Jack Troak and his looping cross towards the back post was met by Alex Fair’s first-time volley.
The Bluebells equalised via their first effort on goal on 23 minutes. Heath centre back Josh Spinks got forward for a cross met by Alex Plummer’s shot which deflected off the head of Bradley Tighe and into the far corner.
Robins captain Harvey Blake set up Morgan Vale for an effort requiring a sprawling save from Bromage as Hassocks initially responded well to conceding.
Entering the final 10 minutes of the half, the Robins were their own worst enemy as they began gifting away possession.
Tighe was dispossessed by Lewis Finney and Trigwell charged out and brought down the forward for a clear cut penalty that Finney buried.
Hendy equalised on the hour after Fair headed down a cross for Jamie Wilkes and when his shot was saved, Hendy smashed home the rebound.
Heath grabbed their third with 89 on the clock as Meeres beat Trigwell, Wilkes and Tighe to a corner for the winner.
It’s back to SCFL premier action for both sides on Saturday – Heath go to Pagham; Hassocks host Wick. Latest at sussexworld.co.uk/sport