Heath avoid slipping on Broadfields banana skin
Flackwell Heath FC: Ayres’ side keep pace with league leaders Rayners Lane
Flackwell Heath sidestepped Saturday’s ‘banana skin’ game at Broadfields United to stay in touch with Rayners Lane at the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division North.
Goals from Jethro Odumosu from the penalty spot before half-time and Mark Nisbet in the early stages of the second half saw the visitors canter away from their hosts for a comfortable 2-0 win.
The result keeps the Heathens nestled in behind Rayners Lane, who themselves eased to an equally impressive 2-0 away win over Harefield United on Saturday. They lead the way on 51 points with Flackwell on 49 points.
“It was a banana skin game because they’re a dangerous side, particularly on their 3G,” Ayres said of Saturday’s win.
“The last two seasons we’ve played there we’ve been beaten. But after a difficult start, losing Louis Bouwers to an injury, so we had a little rejig and weathered the early storm. Then, we settled down and got a penalty 10 minutes before half-time. We then missed another one on the stroke of half-time but in the second half we came out on the front foot and ran out comfortable winners in the end.
“It was pleasing to keep another clean sheet as well. We’ve only let one goal in during the last six games and it’s now three clean sheets on the bounce. If you can get your defence in order, you’ve always got a chance in games.
“Hopefully, Louis is not going to be too bad. He might miss this weekend and return for the Rayners Lane game.”
One of Flackwell or Rayners Lane will surely lift the title come the end of April, having blazed away from their rivals at the top of the division. There appears to be very little to choose between the pacesetters, however, they must play each other twice before the season concludes – with the first of those coming on Saturday week (January 27) – and those games will go some way to determining the destination of the title.
Before that Flackwell welcome 17th placed Harefield United to Wilks Park on Saturday, 3pm kick-off. The frost could yet lead to a postponement, however, if the game does go ahead, Ayres is keen for his players not to underestimate a side that have improved under new management.
“We have pulled away from the other sides at the minute.
“You can take your eye off the other teams to a degree and at the minute we’re just looking at Rayners Lane, but we’ve just got to keep winning.
“At the start of the season I was hopeful we could get into the play-offs, and at the minute that looks a strong probability.
“We’ve just got to keep going. If we can get enough points on the board and cement a play-off place, we will have achieved what we set out for. However, now we’re in and amongst them (Rayners Lane) we’ve just got to try to stay with them. It won’t be easy with what they’ve got player wise, but we’re doing okay at the minute and we’re confident we can stay with them. But the next few games will be pivotal.”
He added: “We’ve got Harefield on Saturday. They’ve improved massively under their new manager,” added Ayres. They were struggling earlier in the season, but they’ve had a big upturn in results and by all accounts on Saturday they gave Rayners Lane a run for their money.
“So, it won’t be an easy game. Hopefully, the game will be on. I know there’s a frost, but it’s supposed to warm up a bit on Saturday. We’ve then got Rayners
Lane a week on Saturday, that will be a pivotal game moving forward. It’s not going to determine the season, but it will be a massive game that you don’t want to lose.”