Heath boss Ayres felt local derby was ‘too intense’
Chris Ayres admits Flackwell Heath’s game with Burnham on Saturday was ‘too intense’ for his liking, with the clubs playing out a 0-0 draw at the 1878 Stadium that does little for their quests for promotion.
The Heathens went into this clash with great confidence having not lost in the Combined Counties Premier Division North since October 8. In contrast, the Blues were determined to get back to winning ways after backto-back defeats against Ascot United and Reading City.
In a vigorous affair, Ollie Bishop and Ben Fraser saw red for an altercation early on while Carl Dennison put in a man-of-the-match performance between the sticks, chiefly denying Charlie Losasso (right) and Reece Cameron.
As a result of the stalemate, the Heathens (W10, D2, L3) remain in fourth place on 32 points while the Blues
(W8, D4, L3) sit just below on 28 with the same number of games played (15).
Reflecting on the encounter, Ayres told the Advertiser this week: “For me personally, the match was too intense, but I guess that’s what you get when both teams are desperate to win a game.
“In the first half, we didn’t play well but in the second half, we were good. Ultimately, we didn’t lose, but the lads were disappointed.
“The red cards made the game messy – it was needless pushing and shoving. We had to re-organise at halftime and, like I say, in the second half we were better.
“We had a couple of good chances. We hit the post through (Jack) Shakespeare and then forced Carl Dennison into some good saves.
“I am pleased we got a point, a clean sheet, and kept the unbeaten run going so there are positives to take from it.”
Flackwell Heath were due to face Buckingham Athletic in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup on Tuesday night but as they were unable to field a team, the Heathens have been awarded progression into the next round where they will lock horns with Amersham Town.
This Saturday, the Heathens face second-placed Reading City on home turf.
“It’s going to be a great day and we should have a great crowd at Wilks Park,” said Ayres.
“Mark Nisbet is going to be absent, and so is Jamie Essex but we will do what we can and work hard for a result.”