Dramatic late equaliser against visiting Thetford Town dashes hopes of first Step 5 victory

Heath started the game with new signings Sam Peters starting at Left Back and Lee Hammond starting in Central midfield with fellow new boys Nick Castellan and Jack Slater on the bench.

The opening stages sw both sides looking to attack with Heath having the better of the half chances on offer and it didnt take long before the men in green were ahead. In the 18th minute Sam Hawley fed Tom Thurlborn who had got ahead of his marker and got his shot away that was well saved down to his right by ex Heath keeper Gammon, the loose ball however popped out to Shaun Avis who slotted home from 8 yards.

The lead was unfortunately short lived as ex Heath U18, Artur Visocanskis, crossed looking for Fuller in the centre, the ball evaded everyone and went into the net off the far post for a soft equaliser.

This led to a spell of errors in the home defence with the visitors nearly going ahead after Peters cleared a sliced clearance off the line under pressure.

In the 28th minute Heath were able to break with Avis setting the dangerous Alex McIntosh away, McIntosh rounded Gammon before being brough down, a penalty and yellow card for Gammon being the result. Shaun Avis stepped up and despatched an unstoppable effort into the side netting.

Heath finished the half on top and should have increased their lead with chances for Thulborn and Avis.

Thetford started the second half the better of the teams but without creating anything to overly worry Beckwith in the home goal. The game swung towards Heath with Hawley charging down a Gammon clearance that bounced narrowly wide before Hawley set Thurlborn clear, the forward opted to shoot early with Gammon pulling off an excellent save low to his left.

Heath seemed set to see out the game with relative ease before controversy reigned in the 89th minute. A cross from the left was caught by Beckwith before being clattered by 3 oncoming Thetford players - the ball bouncing out of Beckwith's grasp and into the net. The referee awarded the goal much to the dismay of the home side and despite the assistant referee flagging to advise a foul should have been awarded.

So a debut to remember for the men in green, history made and entertainment provided for the 3 figure crowd. Sponsor WG Watson presented captain Sam Hawley with his Man of the Match award.