This SCFA Under 23 Challenge Cup match was due to be played at AFC Uckfield but due to heavy rain their pitch was deemed unfit to play on so the game was reversed to Broadbridge Heath.

The Oaks came with a strong side, naming eight players who’ve played for their first team this season and consisting of four overage players, however that was soon changed as the competition rules only allow a maximum of three overage players.

After a fairly even start to the match the Bears took the lead midway through the half when Eugene Moeteane picked the ball up wide on the left from a short throw-in, he cut inside dribbling past two defenders and unleashed a left foot shot that dipped over the Uckfield goalkeeper into the far corner. Both sides continued to create chances but the score remained 1-0 at the break.

The visitors drew level on 56 minutes when a through ball was played into the path of Harvey Azuka who drove forward into the Heath penalty area before finishing off with a low right shot past Heath goalkeeper Ollie Courtney.

Heath restored their lead minutes later when Keanin Louw intercepted a cross-field pass and went on to finish with aplomb past the Uckfield goalkeeper.

Again the visitors fought back and equalised on 70 minutes when a free kick from the right was delivered into the Heath penalty area where it was flicked on by the head of an Uckfield player and fell to Oliver Fowler who smashed it into the net from close range.

Just as thoughts of a penalty shoot-out were entering people’s minds Heath grabbed the winner deep into time added-on when a corner from the right was played into the six yard box, the Uckfield keeper punched the ball away but straight to a Heath player who turned it back into the six yard box and onto the head of Ethan Cumming who picked his spot from six yards to put the Bears through to the quarter-finals.

In the quarter-finals Heath will travel to play Roffey on the 14th November, that should be a good game to watch with both games played so far being played in the right spirit and very entertaining.

Team: Courtney, Brill, A. Al Meskin, Wraight, Duneclift, Cumming, Moeteane, Barlow, Hayes, Louw, Maguire. Subs: Bridgeman, Imperiale, Thompson, Berry.