Sevenoaks Town 0-1 Broadbridge Heath

The rain may have caused major disruptions across the Sussex County football scene with most matches on grass pitches postponed due to waterlogged surface, but the Bears had no such problem with their Isthmian League match on Saturday played on a sunny afternoon, with blue skies, occasional light showers and even a rainbow on the 3G at Sevenoaks Town.

In a cagey start to the game neither side created too many chances with Mason Doughty having the first goal attempt for the Bears on 11 minutes but pulling his left foot shot wide of the post; and for the hosts Emmanuel Mensah struck a right foot shot from distance high over Alfie Hadfield’s crossbar.

Heath continued to create the better chances with Matt Penfold trying his luck with a right foot shot from 30 yards that failed to trouble Sevenoaks stopper Daniel Colmer, Jake Lindsey went close with a low left foot shot across the face of goal but wide of Colmer’s right hand post and Sam Lemon was a hairs breath from converting a Doughty right wing cross at the far post.

But it was the home-side who missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead a minute before the break when Jamie Buchanan was caught in possession some 30 yards from goal leaving the Oaks with two players Daniel Carr and Emmanuel Mensah against Hadfield. It looked a certain goal but Penfold thought otherwise and while Mensah hesitated on the ball, Penfold intercepted his inside pass to Carr and cleared the danger. A lucky let-off for the Bears but some great defending by Penfold and the score remained 0-0 at the break.

With the outside temperature dropping for the start of the second half, there was unfortunately little in the way of quality on the field to warm up the supporters with the home-side having more possession but failing to trouble Hadfield who looked like keeping a second clean sheet in a row.

In the closing stages Doughty found space in the Oaks penalty area to get a right foot shot off but it was well saved by Colmer low to his left, and then into time-added and a good move down Heath’s right flank ended with the ball being played into Doughty who skipped past a challenge and played a pass inside towards Penfold who was brought down by a clumsy Mensah challenge, the match referee just yards away immediately pointed to the spot and Sam Lemon picked up the ball, with a rainbow showing up behind the goal, he coolly slotted past Colmer to bring home the pot of gold for the Bears.

Next up is another Sussex Derby when we welcome Lancing to the BodyMould Stadium on Saturday 9th March, Kick Off 3.00.

Team: Hadfield, Sim, Chesworth, Brackpool, Bromage, Penfold, Mutongerwa (Hay 55), Buchanan, Doughty (Berry 65), Lemon (Waddingham 85), Lindsey.