Heath maintain
Flackwell Heath FC vs North Greenford United FC: Losasso, Jordan, and
Flackwell Heath 3, North Greenford United 1 Flackwell Heath ensured they would stay in the top five of the Combined Counties Premier Division North for another week with a deserved home victory over North Greenford United on Saturday.
After Harvey Killeen had put the visitors in front within the early exchanges, goals from the returning Charlie Losasso and Kieran Jordan gave the Heathens a 2-1 lead at the break.
That advantage was extended by Jack Shakespeare after the interval and with a strong defensive display to follow, Chris Ayres’ men secured their eighth win of the season, shrinking the gap on league leaders Burnham to two points.
At full-time, manager Ayres said: “We said to the boys that we must keep getting results because everyone else seems to be doing that.
“It’s important we keep winning, especially our home games, and we will see where that takes us.
“Defensively I thought we were rock solid – in that area we have really improved. I am really pleased with how we kept a clean sheet and hit them on the break in the second half.
“They’re a great side so to stop them from scoring more than one is a real achievement.”
The Blues’ lone goal on Saturday came in the seventh minute when Isaac Hay rushed off his line to hastily deal with Rob Hastings and Killeen had the composure to float the loose ball into an empty net.
Fortunately, the frustration amongst the home supporters was short-lived as, three minutes later, parity was restored thanks to a sumptuous 25-yard strike from Losasso.
In the 15th minute, chaos would return to the Heathens’ area with the ball falling to Perry Price at close range. His shot, however,
lacked the power needed to go beyond Hay and the ball was cleared to safety.
Jordan failed to apply the finishing touch to a Heathens counter-attack in the 22nd minute before the ball was found down the other end at Killeen’s feet once again, his strike just wide of the woodwork this time.
Aiden Higgs had his best chance of getting on the scoresheet moments before the break when he latched onto Sam House’s scuffed clearance, but his shot from distance was off target.
Luckily, Jordan made no mistake when House was indecisive in his movement on the stroke of half-time, the wide man sending the ball past the ‘keeper with a low drive.
Heathens skipper Jamie Essex tried his luck from range before Hay was called into action to deny Joe Mills’ strong effort on the hour mark.
Nevertheless, it was Shakespeare who
found the breakthrough in the second half as he thumped the ball into back of the net, chiefly assisted by Jordan on the right wing.
Now with a two-goal cushion, the hosts prioritised defending and frustrating the Blues into making a number of fouls which thoroughly helped wind down the clock.
Blues defender Georgie Brown did find himself in a favourable position to shoot in the dying embers but was well stifled by the Heathens just as he went to pull the trigger.
Substitutes Duarte Surpanu and Fabian Driffill, meanwhile, were unfortunate with their attempts in added time before the referee blew the final whistle.
After 12 games played, Flackwell Heath sit one point below fourth-placed Egham Town, one point below third-placed Reading City, and two points below second-placed Ascot United. Next up for the Heathens is a trip to Wallingford & Crowmarsh on Saturday, November 5.