Five-Star Heath Sound Title Alarm!

Short Heath 5 – 2 Paget

A titanic tussle was both forecasted and expected as two heavyweights and age-old rivals, Short Heath and Paget, went head-to-head in La Liga on Tuesday afternoon at the AVFC Dome. As a spectacle, then game lived up to its billing, especially in a tight first half but it was Short Heath who would emerge victorious after an impressive second half display.

The game exploded into life as after just 90 seconds, Paget were ahead. A long goal kick was mis-judged by a Short Heath defender and Paget’s striker then composed himself before thumping home from just outside the penalty area. The game then fizzed along with slick passing moves from either side creating chances but neither side was able to snaffle any up. That was until midway through the first half. Short Heath’s impressive ball-carrying defender found himself with room to manoeuvre some fifteen yards out and then struck a vicious, dipping shot beyond Paget’s ‘keeper and into the far corner the net. The game then settled down with both sides looking to prize each other open once more but neither were able to add to their tally – 1-1 at the break.

Within three minutes of the restart the destiny of this fixture had swung the way of Short Heath. The ESPSFA Trophy winners struck three times without reply: the first a brilliant solo effort from their slaloming midfielder, the second another superb strike from outside the penalty box from the same defender who had levelled earlier and the third after Paget’s ‘keeper failed to deal with a low strike. At 4-1, Heath then dictated the play but Paget battled on valiantly and still mounted a foray or two into enemy territory.

However, the three points were sealed five minutes from time when Heath’s classy midfielder chasséd his way through a tiring Paget defence to slot home number five. Paget still pressed on though and were rewarded ninety seconds from time with a well-take goal. A smart diving save from Heath’s number one diverted the ball away from goal but into the path of a an on-running Paget striker who from eight yards, smashed into the unguarded net.

The win takes Heath level on points with leaders Mapledene – ‘dene stay top on goal difference but have played a game more. Paget remain in third place and though they are six points behind the front-runners, they have a game in hand on Short Heath and two on Mapledene.