For their last match in their second season in the Isthmian League SE Division ‘The Bears’ travelled to their furthest destination for their first ever visit to Deal Town on the sunny east coast of Kent.

Chris Simmons was forced to make two changes to the side that won on Easter Monday; Callum Dowdell missed his first game of the season with a tight hamstring while goalkeeper Alfie Hadfield headed off to Wembley to support his beloved Crystal Palace play in the FA Cup semi-final.

After a pretty even first half, both sides who showed plenty of endeavour but neither goalkeeper was forced into making a noteworthy save and it remained 0-0 at the break.

The hosts broke the deadlock on 57 minutes when Deal Town captain Macca Murray took a free some 40 yards from goal and played the ball out wide right towards the edge of the 6 yards line to Ben Chapman who headed it back across the face of goal to Tom Chapman who nipped in between Bradley Peters and debutant goalkeeper Sam Smith to score from close range.

The hosts made it 2-0 on 74 minutes when Murray delivered a corner from the right which was played back into the danger area where it was headed against the top of the crossbar and fell kindly onto the head of Chapman to score from close range.

Heath had chances to reduce the deficit, Mark Goldson hit the post with a right foot shot and Matt Hay had his goal-bound shot blocked by a defender.

But the home-side’s attacks were relentless and they dominated the final minutes, Tom Chapman made it 3-0 on 82 minutes. Ifi Oni made it 4-0 on 88 minutes and Owen Wilkinson completed the scoring deep into added time to send the majority of the 763 supporter’s home happy.
A really nice gesture by the home-side after the final whistle when they gave a guard of honour to Broadbridge Heath Legend Andy Waddingham who announced his retirement from senior football after 30 years with Broadbridge Heath, starting at the age of 6 playing for the Under 7’s and having played at every age group upwards, making his Reserve team debut at the age of 15 and first team debut the same season.

Team: Smith, Sim (Moteane 66), Terry, Napper (Waddingham 61), Bromage, Peters, Hay, Marino, Goldson, Evans (Cranfield 83), Doughty (Adam 66).