Sussex County Football League Division Three
Season 2008- 2009
Division 3
BBH 1st Team
11th October - BBH V Worthing Utd. Reserves Kick Off 3pm SUSSEX INTERMEDIATE CUP
18th October - BBH V Forest Kick Off 3pm
25th October - Hurstpierpoint V BBH Kick Off 3pm
Reserve Section - West
BBH Reserve Team
11th October - Chichester City Utd. V BBH Kick Off 3pm
18th October - Midhurst & Ease. V BBH Kick Off 3pm
25th October - BBH V Rustington Kick Off 3pm
BBH U18s
12th October - BBH V Forest Kick Off 11am
19th October - Lancing V BBH Kick Off 11am
26th October - Steyning V BBH Kick Off 11am
I've been informed that one or two people have been critical of our match reports, suggesting they are biased towards Heath. Well that's not really a surprise, they are written by a BBH FC supporter and he does wear blue-tinted glasses?
We do try to keep the match reports as accurate as possible but all football fans have a different opinion, that's what makes it such a great game.
Mid-Sussex Senior Cup - 27th September 2008
Broadbridge Heath 2-0 Crawley Down Res
Heath managed to achieve something they haven’t done for several years; they actually won a Cup match, admittedly since being relegated from senior football that task should be a little easier but none the less a pleasing result, one that should see Heath fans returning in huge numbers to support their team at the Leisure Centre, ok a couple more would be welcome.
The visitor’s for the game were Crawley Down Reserves and one familiar face among their side was Lloyd Breach, son of former Heath defender Steve. To be honest Heath should have finished this game off by half time, so superior was their performance to that of the opposition who didn’t manage a single corner or one shot on target in the entire match.
In the end, a well taken strike from Damon Aston midway through the first half and a fluke – don’t let him tell you otherwise – from Andy Waddingham in the 47th minute were enough for Heath to make progress in the competition.
I was told not to mention the sitter that Nathan Sleat put over the cross bar in the final minutes, so I won’t.
Team: Gary Brown; Ryan Archer; Lewis Pickett; Tom Carter; Warren Sweatman; Scott Avory; Josh Archer; Matt Slater (James Sandford 68); Andrew Waddingham (Ben Pugh 81); Matt Butler (Matt Sleat 84); Damon Aston.
Sussex County Football League Division 3 - 20th September 2008
Little Common 2-3 Broadbridge Heath
Not the best preparation for a match with two players withdrawing from the squad on the morning of the game, then the normal lineman dropped out with work commitments, and on the way to the game one of the cars broke down which meant the management could only field one substitute. To cap it all the match referee failed to show and the game was delayed for 45 minutes while a replacement was found. Full credit to everyone at Little Common for finding someone at such short notice.
This was Heaths first visit to Little Common for 15 years and it's good to see how well they've improved their facilities since we were last there. Heath started the game with the wind on their back, kicking down the slope, the opening goal was scored after 20 minutes, Lewis Pickett found space on the left side of midfield, advanced towards the Little Common goal and then blasted in a left footed effort, the keeper looked to have it covered but Matt Butler, making his starting debut in the first team, stuck a toe out to deflect the ball past the keeper into the net. Two minutes later Heath doubled their lead, Andy Waddingham picked up the ball in midfield, split the defence with an inch perfect pass that allowed Damon Aston to run through, round the goal keeper and tap into an empty net. The hosts responded well and Collins reduced the deficit two minutes before the break when his shot from distance was deflected off a Heath defender leaving Gary Brown, the Heath goalkeeper stranded.
Little Common put a lot more pressure on the Heath defence in the second period but were mainly restricted to shooting from distance, not really troubling Brown too much while Heath looked dangerous throughout on the break. On one such break an excellent save by the Little Common goalkeeper denied Josh Archer from regaining Heath's two-goal advantage. With 15 minutes remaining the scores were levelled, good work down the right flank resulted in a cross into the Heath penalty area, several defenders attempted to clear the ball but it somehow evaded them all and found its way to Weston who converted from six yards.
Again Heath responded well, Aston knocked the ball past the last defender and was goal bound when brought down, admittedly it looked accidental, but it was still a foul and a free kick was awarded by the referee, I don't like seeing players shown unnecessary cards but it was a little surprising that no further action was taken by the referee (especially following Ryans 2 yellows &, therefore, red, the previous week). Aston and Waddingham linked up again on the edge of the penalty area, the ball ended up in the net but play was pulled back to give Heath a free kick on the edge of the penalty area which came to nothing. Heath finally got the winner in the 80th minute, this time Aston was provider when he outpaced the right full-back and crossed from the goal-line, Alex Hall came running in from the right to blast the ball into the net for his first goal in the front side, on his last appearance before heading off to University.
Team: Gary Brown, Ryan Archer, Lewis Pickett, Scott Avory, Tom Carter, Alex Hall, Andy Waddingham, Warren Sweatman, Matt Butler (Jamie Pybus 80 mins), Damon Aston, Josh Archer.
Sussex County Football League Division 3 - 13th September 2008
Clymping 2-3 Broadbridge Heath
Heath became the first team to visit Clymping in the Sussex County Football League when they travelled to the league leaders on Saturday 13th September. The hosts, newly promoted from the West Sussex Football League, have made a great start to the season, having played four, won three and drawn one of their matches, all away from home.
The home-side had the better of the first half possession, and took the lead midway through the half, a long cross from the right was hit back across the face of the Heath goal, hit Heath defender Tom Carter, hit the crossbar, came out to Carter again and rebounded off him into the net, somewhat fortunate but they all count. Heath created a few good chances of their own most noticebly in the final minutes of the half when first Daman Aston and then Josh Archer both had good shots saved by the Clymping keeper.
Not sure what was said at half-time but Heath certainly came out much more determined in the second period, the introduction of Matt Butler on 57 mins for the injured Jamie Pybus had a significant impact on the game with the pace of Aston and Butler causing major problems for the Clymping defenders. It was no real surprise when Heath equalised on 65 mins, Andy Waddingham picked up the ball in the centre of midfield and played a defence splitting pass that saw a Clymping defender and the goalkeeper hesitate long enough to allow Aston to nip in and score his fifth of the season. Five minutes later Heath were awarded a free-kick in the centre-circle, Sweatman spotted the Clymping keeper off his line and tried a speculative shot that went high over the keeper's outstretched arms and dropped into the goal giving Heath a 2-1 lead.
Three minutes later Dave Jennings sent Matt Butler scampering away from the Clymping defenders, again the keeper came out to narrow the angle and Butler played a delightful lob over the keeper and into the empty net for his debut goal in the first team and Heath's third. With five minutes remaining the hosts pulled a goal back, a cross from the left found Shelley (appropriate name for BBH) who headed home past Gary Brown.
A few anxious moments for the Heath faithful as the home side pushed for the equaliser, made even more difficult after Ryan Archer picked up two yellow cards in a three minute spell and left the field for an early shower but Health wouldn't be denied and held on to pick up their first away win of the season.
Team: Gary Brown, Scott Avory, Lewis Pickett, Sam Goodway (Dave Jennings 66 mins), Tom Carter, Ryan Archer, Andy Waddingham, Warren Sweatman, Jamie Pybus (Matt Butler 57 mins), Damon Aston, Josh Archer.
Sussex County Football League Division 3 - 6th September 2008
Haywards Heath Town 2-0 Broadbridge Heath
In the battle of the Heath's it was the home side that came out better with a goal in each half to push their challenge for honours come May 2009. It was good to see former Heath striker Matt Kelly, now-adays Matt plays at the heart of the Town defence when many years ago he led the Broadbridge Heath front line and was a feared striker throughout the County League.
Town were a little slow to start with Broadbridge Heath having most of the early play but not really worrying Chris Turner too much in the Town goal. After approx 15 minutes play the hosts moved up a gear with the lively Daley Clarke and Lee Skinner making dangerous runs at the heart of the Heath defence, it was one such run on 20 minutes that led to the hosts opening goal. Skinner picked up the ball and jinked his way past several Broadbridge Heath players before firing a low shot towards goal, the ball deflected off a defender into the path of Mark Beard who banged it into the net from 6 yards. Gary Brown then made an excellent save to deny the hosts a second while at the other end Turner showed what a good keeper he is by tipping an effort from Damon Aston wide of the Town post. Skinner almost added a second just before the break but his shot went inches wide of Brown's goal post.
Both sides continued to create chances in the second period, Aaron Jeal making his debut as substitute for the injured Gil Taylor, showed he's not afraid to shoot at goal, but it was Brown who made the pick of the saves on the hour to deny Town a second. The hosts did double their lead with 15 minutes remaining, the ball was played to Clarke's feet and the lively striker turned and shot in one movement to secure the points.
Team: Gary Brown, Stuart McCall (Matt Butler 80 mins), Nathan Sleat, Dean Potter, Tom Carter, Scott Avory, Josh Archer Andy Waddingham, Gil Taylor (Aaron Jeal 26 mins), Damon Aston, Lewis Pickett (Dave Jennings 75 mins).
Sussex County Football League Division 3 - 30th August 2008
Broadbridge Heath 7-0 Bosham
Team: Gary Brown, Stuart McCall (Alex Hall 80 mins), Nathan Sleat, Dean Potter, Tom Carter, Scott Avory, Josh Archer (Dave Jennings 75 mins), Jamie Pybus, Gil Taylor (Matt Baker 80 mins), Damon Aston, Lewis Pickett.
Sussex County Football League Division 3 - 23rd August 2008
Newhaven 5-2 Broadbridge Heath
A few days later and I still don’t understand how Heath managed to lose by such a large score at Newhaven, when for periods of the game Heath played some good football, looked the better side, but conceded from almost every opportunity the home side created. The thorn in Heath’s side was clearly the prolific goal scoring talents of Newhaven’s Ryan Walton, who scored four of the five goals.
Heath went behind as early as the 13th minute, Walton took on the Heath defence, dribbling along the goal line, instead of passing to a colleague he tried a speculative shot at an acute angle, the ball came off the Heath goalkeeper and rebounded kindly to Walton who smashed it into the roof of the net. Two minutes later a perfect free kick into the top right hand corner, a shot that would have beaten any keeper in the world (apart from Shay Given) gave Walton his second. Heath responded well and pulled a goal back 10 minutes before the break. Damon Aston outpaced the Newhaven defence, had a shot blocked by the goalkeeper but reacted quickly to get up and shoot into the net.
At the break most of the Heath supporters were still fairly optimistic that there side could get back into the game, that was dashed in the 3rd minute of the restart when Warren Sweatman was judged to have played a deliberate back pass that Brown collected wide of his goal, the resulting free kick found Walton who blasted the ball into the roof of the net past a possee of Heath players. Again Heath responded well, Gil Taylor converted a cross form Jamie Pybus to reduce the deficit, Archer had a shot just wide of the post, and Pickett put an effort over the bar from 1yd, for a long while it seemed just a matter of time before Heath would get the equaliser.
Within time added on, the home side were awarded a penalty, which Halsey converted to make the score 4-2 and so end Heath’s valiant attempts. In the 8th minute of time added on and with Heath down to 10 players, Archer leaving the field with chest pains. Walton completed the scoring, a corner was punched clear by Brown, the ball was knocked straight back into the penalty area where Walton smashed it past Brown for his fourth of the match.
Team: Gary Brown, Stuart McCall, Nathan Sleat, Warren Sweatman (Alex Hall 80min), Tom Carter, Dean Potter, Josh Archer, Damon Aston, Gil Taylor (Ramin Jarvand 75 mins), Jamie Pybus, Liam Humble (Lewis Pickett 60 mins).
Sussex County Football League Division 3 - 16th August 2008
Broadbridge Heath 1-4 Rottingdean Village
Hardly the start to the season the supporters were hoping for but things could have been so different if Heath had finished off some of the gilt edge chances that fell their way in the first 30 mins. It was good to see Ramin Jarvand back, after a couple of seasons away but he will probably never have an easier chance to score a goal than the one that came his way on 10 minutes, a cross from the left deceived everyone at the near post and came to Jarvand just four yards out with an empty goal in front of him, somehow the striker failed to score but blasted the ball way over the crosssbar, much to the relief of the visiting supporters.
A few minutes later Jarvand did really well to win the ball against the visitors centre-backs, took it on towards goal but sliced his shot wide of the far post. Gil Taylor then got in the act, the striker rose well to meet a right wing cross but a clear two handed push by a defender went unnoticed by the Match Officials and the ball went narrowly over the crossbar. Another opportunity came Taylor's way, he swung a foot at the ball, it came off the keepers chest back to the striker and this time his effort rebounded off the post to safety.
Then on 33 minutes, and with their first goal scoring opportunity the visitors went ahead, Dan Smith ran in from the right to head a left wing cross past Gary Brown giving his team an unexpected lead. Things got worst for Heath a couple of minutes before the break, a long diagonal through ball from the right was chased down by Smith, three Heath players could have dealt with it but while they hesitated, Smith nipped in to steer the ball past them all and into the net.
Surely things could only get better in the second period, Heath again started well, had a lot of possession but didn't create too many goalscoring opportunities. The visitors made sure of the points on the hour, a cross into the Heath penalty area didn't look too dangerous until Heath goalkeeper Gary Brown made an error under pressure and dropped the ball at the feet of Jamie Watts who made it 3-0. That was game over, the Heath players were clearly deflated and it was no surprise when the visitors added a fourth 10 minutes later. Heath did score a late consolation goal, Warren Sweatman picked the ball up some 25 yards from goal, shifted it to his left past a player and rifled a shot into the far corner.
Team: Gary Brown, Dean Potter, Nathan Sleat (Alex Hall 55min), Warren Sweatman, Scott Avory, Tom Carter, Andy Waddingham, Ramin Jarvand (Dave Jennings 55min), Gil Taylor (Stuart McCall 70 mins), Jamie Pybus, Josh Archer.
9th August 2008 - Friendly v Three Bridges Res
Broadbridge Heath lost 0-1 against Three Bridges Res
Not the most insperational performance from either team, Heath had several players missing, while the visitor's fielded no fewer than five former Heath player's, one such player Ryan Smith did score the only goal of the game in the first half when he hit a beauty from 25 yards (if only it had happened more often last season!!) that gave Heath's goalkeeper Gary Brown no hope of saving.
5th August 2008 - Friendly v Roffey
Broadbridge Heath drew 1-1 against Roffey
Heath's first game at the Leisure Centre this season was against the Sussex Junior Cup winners Roffey. Roffey F.C. are certainly on the up, and if the team they fielded against Heath is anything to go by they will again by pushing for honours again this year. With better finishing Heath could have been three or four up within 15 minutes of the start but if you don't take your chances then you don't win games, and it was the visitors who took the lead midway through the first half, a cross from the right flank was met perfectly by a Roffey forward who rose like a salmon to steer a header over Heath keeper Gary Brown, into the far side of the net. Heath dominated much of the second period but without causing the Roffey keeper too many problems, the best move of the match resulted in Josh Archer banging in Heath's equaliser, his fourth goal in four
pre-season outings.
2nd August 2008 - Friendly v Littlehamptown Town
Heath First Team lost 2-3 against Littlehampton Town
This was very much a game of two halves, the visitors had the better of the first and took a 3-0 lead within the first 30 minutes but Heath came back strongly in the second, and with a little more luck in front of goal could easily have equalised. Josh Archer netted both Heath goals.
Heath Reserve Team won 4-0 against Littlehampton Town Reserves.
A good performance by Heath, making up for the indifferent performance a week earlier. Two goals each for James Sandford and Chris Manville was enough to earn victory against their Reserve Section West opponents.
25th July 2008 - Friendly v Lancing & Roffey
Heath First Team drew 1-1 against Lancing at Culver Road
Who would want a manager's job? Five player's dropped out on the morning of the game which meant that Assistant Manager Julian Miller had to rush around to get enough players to field a team. The hosts went ahead after 10 minutes and for the opening period looked the more likely to increase their lead. Heath took a while to get going in the heat but improved as the game progressed. Heath's equaliser was score midway through the second period when Ramin Jarvand squared the ball to strike partner Paul Walshe who took his time to place the ball wide of the Lancing goalkeeper.
Heath Reserves lose 1-2 against Roffey
A bit of a surprise result when Heath Reserves lost 1-2 at Roffey.
22nd July 2008 - Friendly v Worthing United & Roffey
Heath First Team won 1-0 against Worthing United
You shouldn't get too carried away with pre-season friendly matches but the signs were encouraging for Heath, with a few players back in the fold after missing the games on Saturday, Heath looked very solid at the back, skilful in midfield and mobile at front. The only goal was scored by new signing Jamie Pybus after 40 minutes,
Heath Reserve Team won 3-0 against a Roffey XI.
While Heath First team were enjoying themselves at Worthing United, Heath Reserves were also in fine form, scoring three agianst a Roffey X1 at Chennels Way.
19th July 2008 - Friendly v Rustington
Heath Reserve Team won 1-0 against Rustington Reserve Team.
When you arrange pre-season fixtures, you never know what players are available until the day. However I doubt if anyone expected as many players to be missing as there were for these fixtures, holidays and a wedding made 18 players unavailable for the games but Heath Reserves still managed to earn a 1-0 victory against their SCFL West Division opponents.
Heath First Team lost 0-4 against Rustington First Team.
For an hour this was a close game, at which time Rustington were leading by the solitary goal scored midway through the firsty half. However the visitors dominated the final 30 minutes and could have won by more, which would have been harsh on the Heath team who could only field 12 available players and finished the match with three walking wounded.
Special mention to Kevin Dawson and Simon Griffiths who both did excellent jobs refereeing the matches.
15th July 2008 - Friendly v Crawley Down
Heath First Team drew 1-1 against Crawley Down First Team.
Most of this match was played like a pre-season friendly, not too much creative football to talk about by either side. The opening goal was scored by Crawley Down after 60 minutes and Josh Archer equalised for Heath with 15 minutes remaining.
12th July 2008 - Friendly v Lingfield
Heath Reserves drew 5-5 against Lingfield Reserves
A very entertaining game with a lot of good attacking football played but both teams, however it would appear that both sides forget the finer art of defending.
Heath First Team won 4-3 against Lingfield First Team.
After trailing 0-2 within 20 minutes, a 15 minute hat-trick by Damon Aston gave Heath an expected half-time lead. Midway through the second period the visitors equalised when Natham Sleat showed just how good his right foot is, when he sliced a corner cross into the roof of his own net. With just a few minutes remaining Ramin Jarvand popped up to give Heath victory.
