Higgs back for Heath after five months down under
After five months spent playing football on the other side of the world, Aiden Higgs has arrived back in England and says he is looking forward to pulling on a Flackwell Heath shirt once again.
In May, the 22-year-old departed Wilks Park to embark on an adventure in New Zealand with Southern League outfit Nelson Suburbs. And what an adventure it was.
Speaking to the Advertiser earlier this week, Higgs revealed he finished as the Suburbs’ top goalscorer in a season they achieved third place with 10 wins, three draws, and five losses.
Eager to reunite with his family after such a successful campaign, Higgs called time on his business with the Kiwis and his return to the Heathens was coolly announced on Saturday night.
“I absolutely loved it over there, but it was just a long way from home,” he said.
“I went with my girlfriend and we both found it quite hard being 12 hours away from family, so we decided to come back.
“I spoke to Ayresy (Chris Ayres) about coming back [to Flackwell Heath] and he told me I was more than welcome. I’m really looking forward to playing with them again.
“I was in New Zealand for five months as I left in May. I managed to finish top goalscorer for my team, Nelson Suburbs, and we also finished third – we were the third best team on the South Island – which was amazing.
“The standard of football wasn’t too different really, but it was technically a lot better than I expected. I learnt a lot and I think I’ve improved on that side of the game. A lot of the matches were livestreamed, and my parents would stay up until 4am a couple of times to watch me play which was really lovely too,” added Higgs.
“I don’t know if you saw on Twitter, but I scored a goal in one game and went over to the camera to celebrate because I knew they were watching at home.”
Asked if he kept one eye on the Heathens’ matches while away, Higgs said: “Definitely. I had updates on my phone, I was waking up at stupid o’clock, checking the scores, stuff like that.
“When I made the decision to come back, I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else but Flackwell really. I love all the lads and I get on with everyone.
“Terry (Glynn) – the chairman – is great and of course the management team of Shoney (Paul Shone), Chris (Ayres), and Keith (Ryan) is absolutely brilliant.”
W After having a break this weekend, Flackwell Heath returned to action in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup on Tuesday evening, defeating top of the table league rivals Ascot United 2-0 away from home.
The Heathens took the lead in slightly fortunate, fashion. Duarte Surpanu’s shot in the 28th minute was saved by August but rebounded into the net off an unfortunate defender.
This followed a penalty miss from the hosts, with Cairo Richards saving Harris’ penalty in the 19th minute.
The visitors wrapped the game up a few minutes before the end, Reece Cameron slipping a pass through for Fabian Driffill who steered a low shot beyond August.
Flackwell are back in action on Tuesday evening when they visit the Yellamen once again in the league. The Heathens are fifth with 12 points from six games, but Ascot are top with five wins from five.
Heath will also be boosted by the return of former Maidenhead United and Slough Town defender Mark Nisbet. Nisbet has gained a wealth of experience playing at the top level of non-league football but has opted to return to the club where he played as a teenager.