With so many games falling foul of the weather the 3G surface at Greatness Park meant that this Isthmian League Division One South East game went ahead with no problems and the teams served up an entertaining, close fought match that was settled by a defensive mix up by the home side.

The game got off to an open fast paced start with both sides committed in every challenge, Ryan Hayes had a powerful shot well saved by Luke Glover, but it was the visitors who took the lead on 25minutes when Kieran Rowe curled a superb 20 yard effort into the top corner of the net, giving Patrick Lee no chance in the home goal.

Rowe almost made it two soon after, but was denied by an excellent tackle from Thomas Ripley. The game settled from there until late in the half Jack Miles collided with Heath keeper Glover who had to undergo lengthy treatment before carrying on.

Miles then glanced a header just wide from a corner as The Oaks rallied and they drew level in first half injury time when a long ball up to Tyrell Richardson-Brown was brilliantly brought down by the lone striker on the edge of the box and despatched past Glover to make it 1-1 at the break. 

Sevenoaks started the second half on top, Richardson-Brown, and Liam Gillies combined to set up Kyle De Silva who fired wide, but it was Heath who then had two good chances when Lee made two great saves to deny Nico Cotton from close range.

Hayes had a couple of speculative efforts for The Oaks and they looked dangerous when they got the ball up to Richardson-Brown whose skill and pace caused problems, but the visitors did well to keep him at bay.

Then with the game wide open, it was Haywards Heath who took the lead, a long ball up to Rowe saw Lee come out of his area to try and clear the ball, but the keeper and his defenders conspired to gift the ball to Rowe who coolly slotted it home from the edge of the box into an empty net.

Sevenoaks tried to rally again, Hayes was denied by Glover again while at the other end Lee tipped over a powerful drive from Trevor McCreadie.

Oaks manager Micky Collins then went with three up front for the final ten minutes, but they were unable to find a way through. The closest they came was a penalty shout for a push on Ripley, but the appeals were waved away and Heath held on for the three points.

The result leaves Sevenoaks in 11th with Haywards Heath now up to 14th, five points behind with two games in hand. 

Sevenoaks – Lee, Miles, Taylor, Chapman (Parkinson 64), Tennett, Ripley, Hayes, Gillies, Richardson-Brown, Bessey-Sakdana, De Silva (Whitnell 80)

Subs Not Used: King, Gorman, Fowler.   

Haywards Heath – Glover, Morrison, Summerfield (Robinson 45), Napper, Cooper, Spinks, Rowe, Cumber, McCreadie, Warwick (Sterling-Parker 73), Cotton (Pearse 84)

Subs Not Used: Teixeira.   

Goals: Sevenoaks – Richardson-Brown 45mins. Heath – Rowe 25 & 72mins. 

Attendance: 126