Football
Gate's struggles continue

Heather St Johns 2 Highgate United 0

Midland Alliance

HIGHGATE remain deep in trouble at the wrong end of the Midland Alliance table following Saturday's disappointing defeat.

Their latest reverse leaves Highgate two places off the bottom of the table and although level on points with next best Ellesmere, they have played four more games.

Saturday was an afternoon Highgate boss Keith Checketts will want to forget in a hurry as an untidy performance resulted in little creativity and left home keeper Jamie Brassington a virtual spectator throughout the 90 minutes.

Gate started the game without unavailable centre half Toby Checketts, Dale Moon covered, whilst Oliver Casey came in for the injured Trevor Edwards at right back. Liam Florey and Junior Bennett, both carrying knocks, started on the bench.

A promising start saw the visitors enjoy the better of the early possession but after Steve Jackson had an attempt blocked the hosts broke to take the lead with just seven minutes on the clock.

A long ball over the top allowed Rich Lewis to outpace a flat-footed defence, the striker rounding Shawn Edwards before rolling the ball into an unguarded net.

Joshua Allen-Noble immediately pulled a good chance wide of Brassington’s near post then delivered a cross to the far post but just too long for the unmarked Luke Benbow to reach.

Another Jackson effort flew just over the bar whilst at the other end David Yonwin curled an 18-yard shot the wrong side of the upright.

Still unable to find the target, Gate went closest so far when minutes before the break Dan Dineen’s header looped over the bar with Brassington back pedalling.

Heather sealed their victory with a second goal five minutes after the restart when another high ball deceived the defenders, leaving Yonwin to beat Edwards with the deftest of close range touches.

Gate continued to huff and puff to little effect with Benbow's drive charged down, Casey’s cross from wide on the right going behind off the top of the bar and Brassington stretching out a leg to prevent Benbow from reducing the arrears.

A well marshalled home defence never looked like conceding and it was Edwards in the visitor’s goal who kept the scoreline respectable with an excellent save to deny Yonwin his brace.

Highgate entertain Causeway on Saturday (3pm) and visit Alvechurch on Tuesday night (7.45pm).