Higgs hails the Heathens’ never-say-die attitude after victory over Sumas
Aiden Higgs hailed his side's never-say-die attitude after Flackwell Heath came from behind to beat Wokingham & Emmbrook 5-4 at Wilks Park on Saturday with the winner coming in second half stoppage time.
For the third game in a row, the Heathens left it late to score a winner, with Reece Cameron thumping home to settle this thriller in the 93rd minute. The result moved the Heathens up to third in the Combined Counties Premier Division North and boosted their hopes of promotion this season. However, Egham's 1-0 win over Hilltop in mid-week has bumped them back to fourth.
Higgs set the side on the
road to victory when he slotted home with composure in the second minute. The Sumas restored parity quickly and took the lead just after the halfhour mark, however, Matty Ayres levelled matters again in the 35th minute.
Fabian Driffill made it 3-2 in the 49th minute and Alfie Anderson curled home a beauty just before the hour mark to make it 4-2 to the home side.
However, Chris Ayres let allowed that seemingly comfortable lead to slip with the visitors scoring twice in just a couple of minutes, their fourth coming from the penalty spot.
But Flackwell have shown in recent weeks they're not deflated by such set-backs and, for the third game on the spin, they grabbed a fifth in injury time when Cameron scored from Mark Nisbet's assist.
Higgs joked afterwards that their recent performances have left the players and management team with a ‘few grey hairs’.
On March 4, Ayres’ men defeated Hilltop, 2-1, thanks to Callum Mapley (90+1’) and, just a few days later on March 7 they edged Harefield United, 3-2, thanks to late goal from Sam Coles (90+3’).
“These games must have been brilliant to watch,” joked Higgs. “Obviously we shouldn’t be leaving it that late to get the wins – Ayresy (Chris Ayres) might have a heart attack soon and we’re all getting grey hairs from it.
“It’s killing us all leaving it so late but that also shows you how bad the boys want to win. We all really want this club to do so well. We really are trying our best so sometimes you leave it late and getting that last minute winner has to happen. We have a great neversay-die attitude. Wokingham were very quick up front and had a very fast attack. They managed to get through us and took their chances well. I do think they should be in a better place in the league.
“We’re now up to third in the league and we’re looking to get even higher. It all depends on the other games obviously. Some teams have a lot of games in hand and things like that. At the moment, Ascot are fair few points above Reading. Then it’s us and Egham. We are looking to finish in the top two, but we’ve got to dig in and work hard.”
The Heathens visit Stag Meadow this Saturday to face Virginia Water.