Heath and YMCA share the spoils in a derby clash

Efforts on target were few and far between as Broadbridge Heath held unbeaten near-neighbours Horsham YMCA to a draw on Tuesday evening.
Broadbridge Heath `keepeer Michael Chester makes safe a cross under pressure from Dean WrightBroadbridge Heath `keepeer Michael Chester makes safe a cross under pressure from Dean Wright
Broadbridge Heath `keepeer Michael Chester makes safe a cross under pressure from Dean Wright

There was a minimal amount of shots on target during the entire 90 minutes, as a lack of creativity at either end of the field saw both sides fail to break the deadlock.

After a tedious first half, the Bears enjoyed the better of a slightly-improved second period, and looked the more likely to score during a spell of sustained pressure.

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But they, like YM, failed to convert the few chances they did create and the two sides shared the spoils of a dreary encounter.

Broadbridge Heath v YMCA actionBroadbridge Heath v YMCA action
Broadbridge Heath v YMCA action

YM were missing senior starters Anthony Hibbert, Sam Schaaf, Dave Brown and Dean Carden and were forced to play Dan Sullivan and Josh Brown on the wings - but Heath were also missing a number of key players.

YM manager Peter Buckland said: “I said to our coaching staff beforehand that if we could come away from here undefeated, under the circumstances, I’d be quite happy. All things considered, I’m reasonably pleased with a 0-0.

“I think that they probably had more goal scoring opportunities than us, but having said that we did have opportunities to nick the game.”

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The first 45 minutes offered very little in the way of clear-cut chances at either end of the pitch.

Dean Wright struck narrowly wide of the target, Heath’s Scott Weller headed an Ollie Moore cross off target at the far post and then squared for Merv Bhujun, who miscued from six yards.

Visitors’ Matt Crane headed a Dan Sullivan corner the wrong side of the upright, before Bhujun was almost rewarded for chasing down a YM back pass when goalkeeper Simon Lockwood’s clearance ricocheted off the striker and flew just wide.

YM squandered early chances after the restart as Dan Sullivan’s header was blocked on the line and Wright fired straight at Michael Chester, before the hosts enjoyed a spell of sustained pressure.

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Bhujun’s tame strike was comfortably held by Lockwood, before Tiago Andrade’s acrobatic overhead kick was just wide.

Tom Familton headed wide and Heath then wasted the game’s best chance as Bhujun played a neat one-two with Andrade before racing into the box and shaving the far post.

Some neat work released Weller, but his tight angled effort was well held by Lockwood, after which Andrade dragged wide late on.

Heath: M.Chester, Sultan, S.Chester, Balfour, Familton, Waddingham, Godfrey (Wragg 75), Moore, Andrade, Bhujun (Sandell 82), Weller (J Robinson 80).

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Horsham YMCA: Lockwood, Doherty, Gathern, Crane, Evans, Dugdale, Gedling, D.Sullivan, Wright, J.Brown (Hunter 66), N.Sullivan. Unused subs: Schaaf, White, Wood, Cheesman.

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