Haywards Heath Town 4, Storrington 0: Danny Turner double helps sink the Swans

Manager Shaun Saunders gave starts to both Danny Turner and Freddie Barker as Heath again returned to action.

Simon Lehkyj once again started in goal, A back line of Bailie Rogers, Tom Graves, Nathan Cooper and Josh Bryant remained unchanged from the cup victory over Crawley Down Gatwick. Carl Dunk skippered the side and was again partnered by Ryan Warwick in the middle.

Completing the midfield were Danny Turner and Callum Saunders. Up front was Rob O’Toole and alongside him Freddie Barker. The bench consisted of Jamie Weston, Scott Marshall, Matt Geard and Jordan Harris. Heath were without Max Miller, Mike Gardner and Andy Wilkinson all away.

It was always going to be a difficult day at Hanbury, although the pitch was in good condition despite the recent weeks of rain, the wind was strong going from left to right and previous games against third placed Storrington have shown them to be well organised and dangerous on the counter attack.

The opening 20 minutes failed to create anything for either side to note, several fouls from the visitors showed their intent to stamp some authority on the game and although good in possession Heath failed to find that final ball.

With 20 minutes on the clock the deadlock was finally broken, Rob O’Toole did well on the left by-line but saw his deep cross clear everyone, Ryan Warwick then worked brilliantly to pick up the loose ball and his low cross was met 8 yards out by Danny Turner who’s volley crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.

The rest of the first half did little to inspire as the wind dominated and made it difficult to play, Callum Saunders saw his great cross just missed by the flying Rob O’Toole on 24 minutes, at the other end Storrington called Simon Lehkyj into action with a free kick from distance but the Heath number one dealt with it comfortably.

On 38 minutes the visitors almost capitalised on a mistake from Simon Lehkyj but the Heath shot stopper recovered well from his drop and saved well from the follow up.

On 40 minutes another great ball in from a corner from Callum Saunders was met by Rob O’Toole but he could not get over the ball and saw his header clear the bar.

The final chance of the half fell to the unlikely source of full back Ballie Rogers who had got forwards well all half and finally found himself in position to break his Heath duck but his low strike was well saved between the legs of the Storrington keeper.

As the crowd emerged for the second half most were greeted with Storrington placing the ball on the penalty spot. In the build-up a cross into the box saw Tom Graves penalised for what the referee saw as a push on the Storrington front man. The Storrington penalty taker stepped up and saw Simon Lehkyj guess right by going to his left to make the save at a crucial moment in the game, as the ball came out the rebound was put over the bar as again Simon Lehkyj did well to pressure the taker.

Heath then went straight down the other end and a ball in from Callum Saunders was well met by Rob O’Toole but his header was equally well saved at point blank range by the Storrington keeper.

As the game hit the 58th minute Heath hit 3 goals to all but end the game in a 5 minute spell. Freddie Barker did well in the visitor’s area before finding Danny Turner coming in from the left, he received the ball shifted to his right and curled the ball into the far corner leaving the Storrington keeper rooted for his second goal of the game.

Two soon became three just 3 minutes later, Callum Saunders was up ended out wide, he then took the free kick that over shot everyone but Nathan Cooper picked up the loose ball before picking out Ryan Warwick who’s first time strike went like an arrow into the corner of the Storrington net for his 3rd goal of the season.

On 63 minutes it was game over as Callum Saunders worked space on the right and his deep cross was nodded home from a yard out by Rob O’Toole taking him to 28 goal from 29 games in all competitions.

Heath then introduced Matt Geard and Scott Marshall for Carl Dunk and Ryan Warwick on 69 minutes followed by Jamie Weston for Ballie Rogers on 74 minutes.

As the clock ran down both sides struggled to work either keeper as defenders of both sides stood firm and nulled any danger.

Man Of The Match – Danny Turner– high energy and work rate for 90 minutes and a performance that was capped off with two great finishes.

Afterwards Manager Shaun Saunders said: “It was a difficult game in which we struggled to get going, we weren’t fluid enough for my liking and did seem disjointed at times, the conditions didn’t make it easy for either side today and Storrington set their stall out well to contain us. I thought we were better after the break and above all else a wins a win, another vital 3 points and clean sheet on top.”

Next up for Heath is a visit to Southwick in the League One action the only side to have so far taken points off Heath on Saturday 27th February 3pm kick off.

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