Haywards Heath Town 1 - 2 Actonians

Kieran Beesley's side made it four wins from five in 2024 as two late goals from Amber Dredge powered them into the top six of the division.

After the 5-1 defeat at title contenders Norwich City last weekend, the Actonians manager would've been hoping for a good response against a side who were bottom coming into this game.

However, any hopes of a comfortable away win were blown out of the water after only 70 seconds when a scorching 25-yard effort from Brooke Garcia gave goalkeeper Amber Taylor no chance on its way into the top-right corner.

The combination of a heavy pitch and some even heavier tackles meant that this was not going to be a pretty game.

The visitors had to wait until the 13th minute for their first effort of any substance when captain Roschelle Shakes turned and curled a brilliant ball to the far post where a well-placed Dredge saw her shot well saved.

With young striker Tori St Clair requiring treatment for injury soon after, it was actually fan-favourite Dominika Netschova who was the first to have to leave the fray.

Having only just returned to the squad after missing the first half of the season, it was desperately disappointing to see her pick up a calf injury and get substituted before the half-hour mark.

As the half wore on, the chances kept coming with Dredge, substitute Ikraam Mohamed, Shakes and St Clair all going close.

All this profilgacy almost proved costly as a lightning break by the hosts tore Actonians' defence wide open.

Naomi Graham managed to get back from midfield to hold them up but Megan Curran still managed to get a shot away which Taylor did well to parry.

With Kaydence Kabadaki poised to fire home the lose ball, Jennie Brereton managed to get an all-important foot in to put it out for a corner which came to nothing.

Trailing 1-0 at the interval, Beesley's team came out for the second period in good spirits but found themselves under some pressure for the opening minutes of the half but Taylor and her defence dealt with everything that was thrown at them.

On 55 minutes, A's left-back Isi Meade looked like she might have sustained a nasty head or neck injury after Kabadaki accidentally fell on her after a challenge.

With no physio of their own in attendance, the Haywards Heath man did a fine job making sure the defender was fit to continue and after a lengthy delay she returned to action.

As the game moved into its last 30 minutes, Actonians started to push forward with more urgency.

In the 67th minute, Shakes arrowed a powerful header towards goal but the composed Char Greenwood in the Bluebells' goal produced another fine save.

The indefatigable Jasmine Williamson kept probing but struggled to get through the hosts' resolute defence and it looked like being one of those days.

However, with five minutes remaining, Actonians won a free-kick way out on the right.

With everyone packed into the box waiting for a cross, Dredge sent it high and straight towards goal.

As the forwards piled in, the diminutive Greenwood was powerless to prevent it sailing over her head into the far corner and the visitors had their goal at last.

Having seen a number of delays for injuries, the game was far from over and Actonians went for the win.

Put through on goal, Mohamed shot straight at the keeper and it looked as if that would be that but with the match deep into injury time, it was Dredge who found the net again.

As she sent another high effort towards goal, Greenwood could only get her fingertips on it and bounced down into the net sparking wild celebrations.

With St Clair also limping off near the end, this hard-fought win came at some cost but it will undoubtedly have raised spirits going into another important game against Cambridge United at Rectory Park next weekend.

Player of the Match - Amber Dredge. The young winger had one of the best games I've seen her play. Influential throughout the game, she frequently caused problems down the right and the two goals were just the icing on the cake.

Report and photo by James Doe