It did seem that things could come unstuck today .... first the wrong kit was brought, meaning that we he had to ask Dulwich if we could borrow some. They kindly came up an unfamiliar (for us) red which we played in. Then it was noticeable that the warm-ups only comprised 12 players including the goalkeeper, word came through that 5 players were still stuck in traffic, our own journey had taken well over 2 hours. The missing players arrived about 20 minutes after kick-off. This meant that of the team on the pitch 3 players were making their first ever 'starts' (Titus Patterson, Darren Boswell) and one (Ollie Allman) his first ever appearance.

If there were any early nerves, they were soon settled, and hard work all over the pitch saw the Hillians go in at half time 0-0. Gradually through the second half there were substitutions to bring on Leo Day, Lloyd Skinner and Lloyd Cotton.

On 51 minutes Lloyd Cotton scored from close range to become the 6th different scorer for the club this season and on 80 minutes Sacha Opinel became the 7th when he scored direct from a corner, the cross being so tight that it squeezed in off the keeper and the near post through the narrowest of gaps.

80 minutes brought a wonderful goal from Hamlet's Clunis, a mazy run and tight angle finish brought applause from Hillians fans. The expected late pressure came and the welcome final whistle followed that. Every game comes with it's own drama and excitement at the moment, we are still Top Of The League ..... see you at the ground on Tuesday evening for the next installment.

Finally Sacha tell 'new boy' Ollie to look over there and not up the back of the stand!

Burgess Hill: Harding, Allman, Opinal, Piper, Gainsford, Harper ©, Percival, Green, Patterson, Berry, Boswell subs: Cotton, Day, Watts, Curd, Skinner, Barnard

Burgess Hill Town FC 2 - 1 Bognor Regis Town FC

An absorbing, quality encounter, saw the Hillians have the better of the first half, going ahead early on through a Steve Harper penalty after Ronnie Green had been brought down. Phil Turner equalized 5 minutes later and the score was 1-1 at half time, a half that Burgess Hill will consider they had the better off.

The second half was the reverse with Bognor dominating and maintaining long periods of pressure. Hillians held on and with 5 minutes to go Matt Percival (picture above) lined up his free kick in a central position before slamming the ball home, via a flick off a Bognor defender. Very early days, but encouragingly (although having played a game more), Burgess Hill sit on top of the table tonight.

Burgess Hill: Harding, Cotton, Opinal, Piper, Gainsford, Day ©, Harper, Percival, Green (Watts 86), Skinner (Patterson 75), Berry. Unused subs: Boswell, Barnard, Allman.

Bognor: Stoner, Crane (Marzetti 83), Whitehead, Fraser, Axten, Bond, Turner, Birmingham ©, Prior, Royce (Marshall 86), Johnson. Unused subs: Nightingale, Pointing, Lawrence.

This win at Leatherhead brings another boost to club. With Leatherhead finishing last season so strongly and being fancied to do well this season, this was a good win.

A high engery, high tempo performance which over-powered the opponents, still had to withstand the first 20 odd minutes where we didn't see too much of the ball. So this was a well earned and deserved win. Lloyd Skinner finished a passing move to score the first (25mins) and Matt Percival blasted the second from the edge of the box (52mins). Both goals involved good buildup and both involved Steve Harper, but this report really should mention all the team as there were good performances in every position.

Welcome back Neil Watts, who I didn't get a picture of - next time.

Burgess Hill : Joel Harding, Matt Piper, Sacha Opinel, Matt Percival, Danny Gainsford, Leo Day(c), Steve Harper, Lloyd Cotton, Neil Watts, Lloyd Skinner, Will Berry ... Subs: Darren Boswell (on for Lloyd Skinner 89mins), Titus Patterson (on for Neil Watts 89mins). Not used: Ollie Allman, Tom Betts

Leatherhead: Ramos, Williams, Goodwell (Terry), Boulter, Boswell, Thompson, Graham, Simmons (Odunaike), Andrews, Hutchings (Elston), Macleod

ANDY NUNN pictures from the game. . . . DAVID BAUCKHAM pictures here

A big away win at Horsham YMCA who, at the moment, are a newish side in the process of rebuilding after summer departures. Very solid displays from new loanee Sacha Opinel and a first start for Ronnie Green. The rest of the side was unchanged. Steve Harper's free kick on 16 minutes beat everyone and the keeper for the opening goal. The second came two minutes later from the penalty spot after Ronnie Green had been tripped on the edge of the area. Danny Curd got the third on 23 mins. So in the space of 7 minutes BH were 3 up but the result won't recognise the string of fine saves that Joel Harding made during the game.

Substitute Lloyd Skinner later tapped in a 4th after being set up by Steve Harper on 69 minutes, Horsham got some reward with a late consolation through Tommy Brewer.

Roving photographer Terry Buckman was at the game ... more pictures HERE

Burgess Hill : Joel Harding, Lloyd Cotton, Sacha Opinel, Matt Piper, Danny Gainsford, Leo Day(c), Steve Harper, Matt Percival, Danny Curd, Ronnie Green, Will Berry ... Subs: Darren Boswell (on for Steve Harper 80mins), Lloyd Skinner (on for Danny Curd 31mins), Titus Patterson (on for Ronnie Green 80mins). Not used: Ben Greer, Ollie Allman

Hillians sign Farnborough left-back on 1 month loan.

Sacha Opinel, a very experienced and fiery left-back has come on a 1 month loan to Burgess Hill from Blue Square South side Farnborough Town. Sacha Opinel began his career in France before moving to Scotland with Raith Rovers. Spells with Plymouth and Leyton Orient followed before he joined Farnborough Town in 2003. He moved to Crawley Town in 2005, and after a period with Ebbsfleet United returned to Farnborough for a second spell in 2009. He will make his debut tomorrow away at Horsham YMCA

Burgess Hill Town FC 2 - 2 Walton Casuals FC

It's important to get at least a point on the 1st day of the new season. Hillians equaliser very late in the game will leave the home supporters and management feeling it was a fair result a little more than the opposition will do. Strong winds in Hill's favour in the first half, together with a slightly bumpy surface made play difficult. Both sides showd enterprise, in a game where both central defenders excelled, the half ended goaless.

Adam Willis put the visitors ahead on 69 minutes, Joel Harding saved the initial shot but was still grounded when his parry was put straight back in. It wasn't until the 84th minute when, after a corner, Will Berry for the Hillians was only about 2 feet from the near post as he somehow managed to flick and turn in a header from the narrowest of angles. Elated home fans then watched in horror as Adam Willis went straight up the other end and scored his second goal. The home side now pushed hard and after a free kick was given on the edge of the box Matt Percival thumped in the equaliser in the 92nd minute of the 93.

Burgess Hill : Joel Harding, Matt Piper, Ben Greer, Matt Percival, Danny Gainsford, Leo Day(c), Steve Harper, Lloyd Cotton, Danny Curd, Lloyd Skinner, Will Berry ... Sub: Ronnie Green (on for Steve Harper 88mins), Darren Boswell (on for Lloyd Skinner 74mins), Max Barnard (on for Ben Greer 74mins) not used: Kevin Joyce, Louis Pople

Walton Casuals: 1. Mark Philpot 2. Joe Kelly 3. Dan Bennell 4. Craig Lewington (C) 5. Liam Hind 6. Alex Brown 7. Adam Willis 8. Michael Barima (Lee Clarke) 9. Dan Buckle (Kristian Webb) 10. Charlie Ide 11. Anthony Gale (Craig Totton) Subs not used - Chris Drake & Laurie Walters

Before the Brighton friendly, Noel Murphy, from the Burgess Hill branch of FOCUS DIY & GARDENING presented a cheque for £1,000 to Theresa de Berryman, the BHTFC Commercial Manager and Ashley Carr the Youth Team co-Manager to help sponsor Burgess Hill Town FC Youth Team.

BHTFC 1st BEER FESTIVAL

The STAFF : Nicholas Fletcher, John Skinner, Ella Smith, George Martindale, Peter Martin, Stuart Brown, Dave Bradbury, Matt Wright & Paul Free.

Over 150 people turned up for the first ever Burgess Hill Town FC Beer Festival in glorious weather at Leylands Park last Saturday.
The Hillians launched there very own Real Ale 'Leylands Best' which went down very well with the regulars and will be a permanent fixture at the club next season, as a second Real Ale pump will be added to the bar as Ale has proved very popular this season.
Joint organiser for the event Dave Bradbury said "It was a hugely successful day and everyone here enjoyed themselves. There was a great selection of beers and I must thank Matt Wright for organising that side of things. The main objectives for the day was to promote the facilities at the Club and local Real Ales which was both done successfully".
There were followers from other clubs there on the day with a group of Kingstonian supporters met up with the Hillians Barmy Army for the day as well as supporters from Leyton Orient who are one of the only Clubs in the Football League to have a selection of Ales on draught every matchday.
Bradbury further commented "This will be an annual event at the Football Club and I'm looking to forward to organising next seasons event with Matt".
The next Beer Festival Matt is running will be at the Martlets in early October a follow up from his successful one there last year.