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3-2
away defeat
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Ramsgate
FC 3 - 2 Burgess Hill Town FC
A
disappointing first half with Hill not getting into their
stride. But a much improved second half display with the Hillians
twice coming from behind to level the game. But in the end
edged out by the odd goal in 5.
Scorers were Kenny Pogue - on his debut and Pat Harding.
Croydon
FC - and their results - have been removed from the league
table which now looks like this ...
.......... Manager reaction .... ''I genuinely thought we
would get something going into today's game with Ramsgate
but our levels of performance in the first half were simply
not good enough. I have to say both sides looked as though
they had not played a competitive game for 3 weeks, however
we took far
longer to get going which effectively cost us in the end.
I was encouraged with the 2nd half performance but it was
a little too much for us to influence the result after such
a poor first half. I was glad for Kenny to get a goal on his
debut and Pat took his goal really well which I was really
pleased with as his work ethic and level of performances have
been brilliant for us in the last few months.
Kit was again excellent at left back and it's easy to forget
that he is just 17 years of age with the level of mature performances
he puts in. We need to look to Tuesday now and being at home
we really need to get
something from the game to start closing the gap on the sides
above us. We will again be without Lloyd Cotton which is a
loss and there are no immediate signs of a return so we will
have to cope and a few
others will need to step up and fill the void.''
Ramsgate
: Danny Twyman, Jack Parter, Luke Wheatley, Tom Hickman, Liam
Quinn (C), Ben Laslett, Michael Yianni, Joe Taylor, Ian Pulman
(Tom Chapman 85), Simon Pettit, Steve O’Brien (Bradley
Dack 12) ... unused:
Gareth Cornhill, Pascal Ebigbo, Brett Mills
Burgess
Hill Town : Joel Harding, Joe White, Kit Tregear, Marc Munday,
Paul Tuppenney, Neil Watts, Fred Foreman (Jonno Melia 67),
Tom Bold (Olelekan Bankhole 78), Dom Clarke (Tyrone Berry
62), Kenny Pogue, Pat Harding
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Simon
Says ...
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News
from Manager Simon Rowland:...
''It's
been a frustrating couple of weeks for everyone involved in
football with the weather causing cancellations across the
board for the last few weeks (with one or two exceptions)
especially coming off
the back of a good result away to Walton Casuals.
As a squad we have kept busy with training and an in-house
game last weekend and we all have our fingers crossed for
90 minutes of football at Ramsgate this Saturday.
On
another note, we have allowed Oliver Poole to return to Welling
United after a good loan spell and like to thank them both
for his time with us. We will not be looking to replace Oliver
or any of the other recent departures as the football club
looks to use all available resources towards the ground relocation
which along with securing our Ryman league status is the number
one priority.
We
have a terrific youth set up to call upon and with the added
experience of some of the recent signings I am sure this will
not only help their progression but enusre they have every
opportunity at becoming an immediate asset to the current
first team squad."
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New
striker signs on for Hill
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Hill
sign new striker ....... Kenny Pogue
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Manager
Simon Rowland: "Tonight we will complete the signing
of long term target Kenny Pogue fromHastings. We tried to
get him at the start of the season but he wanted to play Ryman
Premier football. Kenny has appeared 30 times for Hastings
this season and scored 7 goals in a side that has only scored
35 all season."
"Kenny is a tall forward, he is mobile with quick feet
and is a great finisher. He was at Charlton as a youngster."
Kenny
Pogue, who is 24 years old, shot to prominence when he scored
21 goals for Sidley United during their Sussex County Football
League Division Two promotion-winning campaign of 2009/2010.
The
tall and fairly quick Pogue then signed for Hastings, making
65 appearances and scoring 15 goals over the past 18 months.
picture:
Kenny Pogue ... courtesy of Bexhill Observer
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England
Schools u18 goalkeeper
(site
link)
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Hill
Youth teamer in England Schools side ... update from Tom Betts
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A
message from Tom Betts, who is on tour with the England Schools
Under 18 side "attached are 2 pictures of me playing
against Australia, one in the line up before National Anthem
and the other is a shot from the game. ESFA haven't put any
of the individual or team photos up yet so this is all I have
for this game, here's the write up though off the ESFA website."
(see below)
"Also I received all my training kit, lesuire kit and
my England suit. I'm squad number 1! and started the game
against Australia and played 70 mins :) Next up is a week
in Spain, we fly out on Sunday to Valencia and train there
for 6 days, plus games against Valencia and Villerael under
18s."
This
was a very well contested game played at AFC Wulfrunians,
Wolverhampton on Sunday 29 January 2012. There had been an
overnight frost and on arriving at the ground the staff were
very busy ensuring that no area of the pitch was in a condition
to prevent the game going ahead. On their last visit two years
ago the Australians were frustrated to find 6 inches of early
morning snow meant the game could not go ahead!
The
Australians started very well and soon found their stride
forcing three corners in the first 12 minutes. The English
defence were very well marshalled and were able to restrain
the enterprising efforts of the visitors. England’s
first chance fell to Andrew Venning whose 25yd shot was parried
by the keeper and Michael Sweet lobbed the ricochet narrowly
over the bar. Six minutes later Joe Bunney was provided with
a shooting opportunity following an excellent through ball
from Venning but again his effort was just wide of the target.
In the 33rd minute Venning again found the goal
in his sights but was foiled on this occasion by Aussie goalkeeper
Luke Turnbull who managed to tip it away from the top left
corner. The England boys were keeping possession well and
were making probing forays down the flanks but the Australian
defence were able to keep them at bay.
For
the second half Ashleigh Artwell replaced Kyle Downey in midfield
and Peter Glenn-Ravenhill took the place of Michael Sweet
up front. The game continued in the same competitive spirit
with the first goal bound effort of the second half coming
from Australian forward Stefan Sacilotto but Tom Betts was
able to smother the shot with the melee tidied up by the calm
Tom Axford. Shortly after Jack Pounce’s well directed
free kick was met by Louis Mobbs who saw his effort glance
the post and two minutes later Joe Bunney headed just wide
from another set piece. The game became disjointed as both
teams made replacements and goal opportunities were few and
far between. England had two opportunities to seal the game
in added time but the final draw was a fair result.
AFC
Wulfrunians proved to be an excellent venue for this game
with the club staff setting extremely high standards for other
venues to follow. On a final note, all three match officials,
Andrew Fox, Robbie Dadley and Simon Hill had been officiating
in schools football since their early youth – and a
very good job they did today too.
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Hill
players signs for League club .... and Squad update
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Hill
players signs for Football League club ... and player update
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Oliver
Lockyer who has progressed through the Youth team and into
the first XI has signed to play at Football League club Crawley
Town FC until the end of the season ... well done Oli from
everyone here. Manager Simon Rowland says "Oli was developed
as a footballer here, with Ashley Carr and Tony Tregear being
instrumental in his progression, everyone here is delighted
for him". It was good to see Oli supporting his Youth
team mates at the County Cup game at the weekend.
So
far Youth teamers who have had First XI experience here are
: Tom Betts, Kit Tregear, Brandon Willis, Seb Saunders, George
Fenton, Max Miller, Pat Soan, Tom Stillwell, Tom Bold, Josh
Fawssett, Luke Donaldson and of course Oli. Simon Rowland
adds that "The Club's policy of integrating and advancing
players from the Youth team will continue." Already Kit
Tregear has spent time this season with Premier League Sunderland,
Oliver Lockyer at Leyton Orient and Gillingham. Goalkeeper
Tom Betts is currently away on duty with the England U18s
and at the weekend played against Australia (0-0 and he played
for 70 minutes)
On
a sadder note, fullback Akwasi Adusei is suffering from a
suspected bloodclot has been hospitalised. 'kwasi was injured
playing for Hill and everyone here sends him their best wishes
for a good recovery.
Captain
Lloyd Cotton has an ankle injury and is expected to be out
for a further couple of week.
Tyrone
Berry has signed for Hayes & Yeading FC and played Conference
National football this weekend. Well done Ty and thanks for
your efforts here.
Jones
Awuah has been released, Good Luck Jonesy - we don't see too
many International players here!
George
Hayward has returned to Brighton & Hove Albion after his
work experience here came to an end. We wish him well and
hope he continues his development at Brighton.
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3
points on the road
Burgess
Hill Town
Joel Harding (c)
Joe White
Kit Tregear
Marc Munday
Oliver Poole
Paul Tuppenney
Fred Foreman
Neil Watts
Dom Clarke
Pat Harding
Tom Bold
Jonno Melia (90)
Olelekan Bankole (86)
Luke Donaldson
Ciro Donadio
Casey Ham (77)
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Walton
Casuals FC 0 - 2 Burgess Hill Town FC
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A
goal on the half hour from Neil Watts and then another from
Fred Foreman just minutes into the second half with a 30 yard
rocket of a shot to earn the Hillians a most important and
encouraging 3 points in their relegation struggle.
(the
above picture is by Lloyd Cotton, Hill captain out injured
for 3 weeks, but still popping up with a useful shot!)
MANAGER
SIMON ROWLAND'S COMMENTS ON THE GAME ... "With
Max Millar still suspended, Tyrone Berry signing for Conference
side Hayes & Yeading FC and Lloyd Cotton injured our squad
was really stretched today. We were also without Akwasi who
has been in hospital since last Saturday evening with a suspected
blood clot and wish him a speedy recovery although I doubt
he will be available again this season.
After an encouraging last 4 games against top 6 opposition
I was now looking for us to convert these performances to
points and the lads didn't disappoint.
We have struggled to gain good possession in the last third
so we set up slightly differently with Dom Clarke coming in
to partner Pat Harding up top and Wattsy moving into the middle
of the park with Boldy tucked in from the left to play alongside
Munday.
As
a unit we were terrific but for me the huge plus was the presence
of Dom up front, he barely lost a header and held the ball
up superbly for us and on this showing he'll be a handful
for any defence at this level. We have a great changing room
and have done for a while which has definately contributed
to the increased levels of performances but we must build
on this further now."
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Home
defeat but strong showing
Burgess
Hill Town
Joel Harding
Joe White
Akwasi Edusei
Tom Bold
Paul Tuppenney
Neil Watts
Fred Foreman
Lloyd Cotton ©
Pat Harding
Tyrone Berry
Jonno Melia
Oliver Poole
Kit Tregear
Dom Clarke
Olalekan Bankole
Ciro Donaldo
Whitehawk
FC
Chris Winterton
Joe Keehan
Sam Fisk
Paul Armstrong ©
Marc Pullan
Stuart Tuck
James Fraser
Karley Akehurst
Ben Godfrey
Kyle Vassell
Josh Jones
Sam Gargan
Craig Richards
Lee Newman
Jerahl Hughes
Matthew Daniels
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The
Non-League Paper sums it up ... "Two late
goals from Whitehawk not only broke Burgess Hill hearts but
kept the Hawks' title hopes very much alive.
With Burgess Hill heading into the game looking nervously over
their shoulders at the relegation zone, and Whitehawk looking
to close the gap on leaders Bognor Regis Town, this game looked
like only ever being an away win.
But the home side stood firm for most of the game, riding their
luck at times but defending stoutly in the face of numerous
attacks. However, the dam broke with just eight minutes left
as SamGargan broke the deadlock, and Tommy Fraser rubbed salt
in the wounds with a second goal with just two minutes left."
The
opposition were down to 10 men midway through the second half
after Ben Godfrey's challenge on Lloyd Cotton. Late in the game
Dominic Clarke made his debut for the Hillians, he is "a
big strong 28 year old centre forward with an eye for a goal.
He carries a great aerial threat and can be used as emergency
centre half, former clubs include Rye United".
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Fred
Foreman
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Tyrone
Berry
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Lloyd
Cotton goes close
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Jonno
Melia is sent flying by ...
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...
ex Hillian Stuart Tuck
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Fred
Foreman
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Lloyd
Cotton
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Joe
White, Tom Bold, Joel Harding
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Pat
Harding
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MANAGER
SIMON ROWLAND'S COMMENTS ON THE GAME ... "Once again
we showed how far we have come in the last few months. We
have played Worthing, Folkestone, Maidstone and Whitehawk
in our last 4 games all top 6 sides and competed in all of
them. Today Whitehawk showed they have great talent in the
squad and proved to be slightly better than us in the end.
Unfortunately
we lost Akwasi early on with a groin injury but Kit tregear
came in and was superb. Then Tupps pulled up in the second
half with a hamstring problem, which I think had he been on
the pitch we may have
come away with a point. Overall I was pleased with our shape
but we need to start testing sides for larger spells in the
last third which we'll work on in the week. We have 14 games
remaining and some great
opportunies to improve our league position in the coming weeks
so the hard work we have all put in needs to continue."
In
the Match Sponsors picture below, 3rd from the left is Tony
Bolingbroke who played here (with Gary Croydon) winning County
Division 2 1n 1975/1976 and then winning Division 1 in 1976/1977
Season. (see updated Archive
for pictures)
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Hill
vets march into semi-final
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VETERANS:
Burgess Hill Town FC 6 - 1 Crawley Down FC
Back
row: Ashley Carr, Steve Foley, Chris Dicker, Sean Bleach,
Keith Cheal, Garry Mitchell, Tim Brown, Lee Bolingbroke, Jason
McNaboe, Stuart Collett
Front
Row: Darren Gearing, Jack Dineen, Andy Wilson, Matty Ash,
Ryan Gaylor, Phil Churchill, Paul Williams
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Great
to see old faces at the club again and the performance was
quick - quick - slow as you might imagine! This result see
the Hillans Vets travel to Kinstonians in the semi-finaln
next month.
The
final score was 6 1 and the scorers were Matty Ash 9 mins,
Ryan Gayner 23 mins, Stuart Collett 43 mins, Andy Wilson
50 mins, Chris Dicker 62 mins and Ryan Gayner again on 87
min from a free kick.
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Raw
deal
Burgess
Hill Town
Tom Betts
Joe White
Akwasi Edusei
Marc Munday
Oliver Poole
Paul Tuppenney
Fred Foreman
Lloyd Cotton
Pat Harding
Tyrone Berry
Jonno Melia
Jones Awuah
Tom Bold
Olalekan Bankole
Max Miller
Seb Saunders
Maidstone
United
Daren Hawkes
Tommy Osborne
Tom Mills
Sam Groombridge
Graeme Andrews
Sam Bewick
Ellis Green
Danny Lye
Shaun Welford
Baff Addae
Alex Flisher
Alex Waugh
Jay Saunders
Ash Greenwood
Tom Cackett
Rob Lyall
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Burgess
Hill again showed the type of spirited performance that will
surely see them climb away from the bottom of the table. There
was a debut for the experienced Paul Tuppenney and a first appearance
this season for youth team (and England u18) keeper Tom Betts.
A
battling display against high flying Maidstone (on Sittingbourne's
ground, while their new ground is underway) was marred by an
opening 20 minutes when the referee failed to take charge of
the game, this resulted in heavy challenges being made by both
sides. Maidstone could have seen red for any of 3 tackles, but
it was Hill who had the red card for the next illegal tackle.
Hill
held out until half time, only able to make sporadic attacks
mainly from Tyrone Berry and set plays. Early in the second
half Maidstone scored and 10 man Hill continued to battle hard.
In the dying minutes hopes were raised as the visitors sought
to take advantage of late chances - but in the end it was a
hard working performance that resulted in no points.
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The
Mascot leads the teams out
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early
action
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Marc
Monday's rocket goes close
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debut
for Paul Tuppenney
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Paul
Tuppenney clears
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Hill
go forward
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England
u18 keeper
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Tom
Betts
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Red
for Akwasi
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Jonno
Melia
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Joe
White
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Pat
Harding
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Jones
Awuah
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| From
the excellent Maidstone video highlights (CLICK)
you can see the four challenges below. The outcome is that the
home side suffer 1 yellow card and Hill get a yellow for the
incident in the third picture (!) and a red for the last picture
- enough said. |
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A
draw feels like a victory!
Burgess
Hill Town
Joel Harding
Joe White
Akwasi Edusei
Marc Munday
Oliver Poole
Neil Watts
Fred Forman
Lloyd Cotton ©
Pat Harding
Tyrone Berry
George Hayward
Jones Awuah
Olankane Bankhole
Oli Lockyer
Jonno Melia
Max Miller
Folkstone
Invicta
Jack Delo
Josh Vincent
Josh Burchell
Liam Friend
Frankie Chappell
Liam Dickson
Darren Smith
Darren Marsden
James Everitt
Stuart King
Michael Everitt ©
Roland Edge
Richard Atkins
Simon Austin
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| After
a fairly even first 40 minutes, with the Hillians competing
with 3rd placed Folkestone, not many people would have forseen
the drama on the way. Folkestone scored about 5 minutes
before the break with this well struck shot from outside
the box. |
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With
Folkestone scoring again early in the second half, it didn't look
good for Hill, especially when debutant Marc Munday was send off
for his second yellow card. Enter youth teamer Max Miller as a
substitute who scores with a minute of entering the pitch. Unfortunatley
5 minutes later he receives a straight red and is sent off for
a challenge that most of the crowd thought might get a yellow
card. At 1-2 down and 2 dismissals Hill continue to push for an
equaliser, which comes after a dazzling run down the right wing
by Tyrone Berry (pictured right) resutling in the perfect cross
for Fred Foreman to head in. That left 9 minutes plus added time
- a great display and a terrific result enjoyed by everyone.
Lloyd
cotton goes close in the first half and on the right Oliver
Poole clears in front of the visiting fans.
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HERE'S
A QUOTE FROM THE HILLIAN'S FAN SITE, THAT SUMS IT UP VERY
WELL ...
"It's
games like that that remind you why you go to football, it
was a total emotional rollercoaster.
Hope that we'd hang on in the first half, despair at 0-2,
joy at Max Miller's goal, despair at the sending offs, deep
deep joy at the equaliser, then loads of fretting for the
remaining 4 hours of the game (well it felt like that).
Well done Yellow's, if you can rescue a game like that then
you can stay up - brilliant. Joel's my man of the match, especially
for the double save!
Also a quick word about the Folkestone fans, they were quality,
got behind their team well but having suffered what must have
felt like a set back they were excellent, shaking hands and
wishing us well, as I said, a day that reminds you why you do
this, thanks lads!"
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Pat
Harding
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debut
for Marc Munday
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Joel
Harding
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Neil
Watts get airborn
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Oliver
Pooke
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class
act oldboy Smithy
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Joel
Harding
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Pat
wrestling
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Mark
Munday
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Max's
'red' card
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Akwasi
Edusei grounded
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Fred
celebrates
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Manager's
update
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There
have been a few twists and turns for us in 2011 but we finished
strongly in December picking up 7 points and lifting ourselves
out of relegation. The Crawley Down performance will always
be a reminder for both myself and the players as to how
unforgiving the league can be when not applying yourselves
properly. Since this game we have seen a great attitude
in training and games and I for one am really looking forward
to 2012.
I
was extremely disappointed not to come away with anything
at
Worthing on bank Holiday Monday as I felt we controlled
large parts of the game and could and should have taken
advantage of some of our second half chances. Having said
that this game showed some of our abilities as a side and
the players now have to take this forward and build on that
in the coming weeks.
We
will be looking to add to the squad this week to give us
every
opportunity to ensure this side continues to move up the
table. More experience in this side will also allow youth
team players such as Kit Tregear, Ollie Lockyear, Tom Bold,
Luke Donaldson, Seb Saunders and Max Millar to progress
further on what has already been a terrific year for these
lads.
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Happy
New Year and here's to a great 2012!!
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Edged
out in local derby
Burgess
Hill Town
Joel Harding
Joe White
Akwasi Edusei
Olalekan Bankole
Oliver Poole
Neil Watts
Fred Forman
Lloyd Cotton ©
Pat Harding
Tyrone Berry
George Hayward
Jones Awuah
Jonno Melia
Oli Lockyer
Max Miller
Kit Tregear
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Worthing
FC 2 - 1Burgess Hill Town FC
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Hill
came straight 'out of the blocks' and took the game
to their opponents today. The game was flowing and end-to-end
with the Hillians playing with noticably more cohesion
and belief. A performance such as the one on show today
would have given many of our recent opponents big problems.
The
game was quite balanced when Worthing took the lead
soon after the half hour when Mike Huckett managed to
evade several challenges to score from close range.
Hill fought hard for the equaliser and there wasn't
the felling of 'here we go again' on the pitch
or around the ground. Halftime the score was 1-0.
Early
in the second half Jamie Brotherton hit a medium paced
shot low at the Hill keeper and for the first time I
can remember this season Joel Harding in goal had one
slip through him, a greats shame and 2-0 didn't reflect
the game. Still Hill performed well and out of nothing
Pat Harding hit a high shot from inside the penalty
area, high and straight into the back of the net for
a wonder goal. Now more than ever the game was end to
end and nobody would have been surprised to see the
visitors take one of their chances. Hill were denied
a penalty late in the game by a ref who really didn't
give us much all day. The main factor was the manner
of Burgess Hill's performance - not often we (most of
us!) go happy reasonably happy after a defeat!
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Manager
Simon Rowland's comment was: "The changing room was absolutely
silent after the game - and that is unknown - the boys were
gutted not to take at least a point today."
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Pat
Harding
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Lloyd
Cotton & ex-Hillian Matt Hurley
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George
Hayward & ex-Hillian Matt Piper
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'Lekan
Bankole
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Tyrone
Berry
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Fred
Foreman
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'Lekan
and the bench
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Akwasi
Edusei
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Sleeve
rolled up for a valuable 3 points
Burgess
Hill Town
Joel Harding
Joe White
Akwasi Edusei
Olalekan Bankole
Oliver Poole
Neil Watts
Fred Forman
Lloyd Cotton ©
Pat Harding
Tyrone Berry
George Hayward
Jones Awuah
Jonno Melia
Oli Lockyer
Max Miller
Kit Tregear
Walton
& Hersham
Rodney Chiwesite
Dan Sintim
Shaun Elliot
Adriano Mcraes
Stuart Derry
Liam Collins
Josh Webb
Victor Kiri ©
Michael Gordan
Dan Morris
Phil Williams
Barkley Miguel-Panzo
Josh Bonnet
Harry Smart
Jerome Maledon
Sheikh Ceesay
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Burgess
Hill Town FC 1 - 0 Walton & Hersham FC
| This
time last year we are pushing for a play-off place .... New Year's
Eve at Leylands Park brings a different drama this year: an urgent
need for 3 points to take us out of the relegation zone. With
Croydon Athletic having major problems and not fielding a side
for the last few weeks, we have to consider the possibility of
their withdrawal and the subsequent expunging of their points
- with that possible scenario calculated, today's win is considered
most important. Here's
the table after the victory. |
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The
manner of this win does/doesn't matter (select your own option).
Walton & Hersham could/should have been ahead by goal/goals
at half time. ...... But they weren't - about 5 minutes before
the break a penalty converted by Fred Foreman took Hill into
the changing room 1-0 up. The home side rode it's luck/can be
proud of it's determined defending, including resilient goalkeeping
by Joel Harding and great defending which included an 'out of
nowhere' goaline clearance by Joe White (pics below).
In
the second half there followed a lot more of the same - encouraged
and urged on by the Barmy Army in good/full voice. Walton &
Hersham must wonder what it takes to score. But Hill's determination
won out. Although the balance of play was in W&H's favour,
the home side made more and more forrays into the visitors area.
The introduction of new/fresh legs via Jones Awuah started to
give W&H much more to think about as the Hillians moved
more into the game in the later stage. Joint Brothers of The
Match: Joel and Pat Harding for their great efforts.
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Manager
Simon Rowland's comment was: "today we rolled our sleeves up
and worked".
So
... 3 points and a nail biter of a game, with the team ALL encouraged
and appreciative of the good support.
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Joe
White
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Fred
Foreman
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Pat
Harding
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Pat
Harding
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slight
deflection takes ball
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behind George Hayward
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where's
Joe White .....
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.....
there
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Joel
Harding
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Lloyd
Cotton
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Oliver
Poole
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George
Hayward
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Neil
Watts with company
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Fred
Foreman's penalty
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goal
celebrations
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Manager
update
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New
from Manager Simon Rowland ... the club are in serious talks
with three or four players to reinforce the side in areas
that were obvious during last Saturday's home defeat.
It
is unknown if signings can be finalised in time for this
Saturday's home game, although one player is expected to
sign tonight, Thursday.
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Heavy
home defeat
Burgess
Hill Town
Joel Harding
Joe White
Akwasi Edusei
Lloyd Cotton ©
Neil Watts
Kit Tregear
Tom Bold
Olalekan Bankole
Pat Harding
Tyrone Berry
George Hayward
Fred Foreman
Seb Saunders
Jonno Melia
Jones Awuah
Oliver Poole
Crawley
Down F C
Mark Zawadki
Jack Page
Miles Mitchell
Ash Jones
Hassan Nyang
Tom Burton
Fraser Logan
Hulusi Mustafa
Jamie Cade
Luke Blewden
Ben Sweatman
Gaby Odunaike
Ian Payne
Charlie Dodds
Jack Lyons
Rob Frankland
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Enormous
efforts continue to be made behind the scenes to rectify the
Club's league position. Now is the time for supporters to
support and encourage ... 'when the going gets tough ... '
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Valuable
away point
Pictures
and report courtesy of the Sittingbourne
FC website
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Sittingbourne
Town FC 0 - 0 Burgess Hill Town FC
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A
valuable point gained at Sittingbourne. From reports,
on a difficult pitch it wasn't a pretty game - but
the point lifts Hill above the bottom two league places.
The match report below is from the Sittingbourne site.
Hill Manager Simon Rowland made this statement after
the game ...
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"Our
three points the previous week at home really have
lifted the confidence of the changing room. The
players deserve great credit for the character that
was shown last week to come back and win the game
after conceding an equaliser so late on, especially
when you look at the average age of our side.
Ben and I are continuing to work tirelessly to improve
our defensive record, not just as a back four but
as a side and the clean sheet at the weekend showed
some improvement in that area. We now need to keep
improving over the coming weeks as we have some
tough games ahead of us.
I am not looking at Croydon Athletics situation
at all, we need to focus on the teams above us and
aim up the table, not look below us. I am really
pleased with how the young players are adapting
to this level, it really is a steep learning curve
and they are starting to thrive on it. I am really
looking forward to seeing these players develop
in the future so it’s essential we all dig
deep and secure their future at this level with
Burgess Hill Football Club by continuing to move
up the table."
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Match
Report from the Sittingbourne FC website ...
Sittingbourne
have now drawn their last 3 games by 0-0 and in truth neither
side looked likely to find the net. Sittingbourne were still missing
Elie Kayembe and Jack Hooper but new signing Joe Nwoku from Aveley
made his debut, coming on as a substitute on 67 minutes and showed
some good touches during his short stint. The game itself was
a disappointing affair with little to enthral the small crowd
of just 90.
The
Hillians are third from bottom in the league and if the saga of
Croydon Athletic ends in their record being expunged that would
mean they are in the relegation zone..although who knows what will
happen close season when the missing club is taken into account.
Croydon owe a £7500 fine to the FA and have a huge electricity
bill that they cant pay and so their electricity has been cut off
and they have been unable to fulfil their past couple of games..
its a great shame for a hard working committee most of whom were
not part of the team running the club when the misdemeanours occurred.
Both
sides contain young players who are full of enthusiasm but unfortunately
that's usually not enough and in the entire 90 minutes neither goalkeeper
was called upon to make any demanding save. Elie Kayembe was definitely
missed and when he is fit it is hoped that he will be able to link
up with Nwoku. Hicham Akhazzan once again showed some skill up front
but too often his options were limited whilst Josh West has that
enthusiasm in bucket loads and created a few problems for the Hillians
defence. Cedric Abraham now appears to have found his true position
at the heart of defence and he and the rest of the back line were
always well in control of the Hillians attack that included ex Gillingham
player Jones Awuah who had a brief spell at Sittingbourne soon after
leaving the Gills.
The
Hillians started the better of the two sides, Kit Tregear headed
over the Brickies bar on 4 minutes following a free kick and then
a shot from Tyrone Berry from just outside the area curled wide.
It was a scrappy game though with neither side seemingly able to
string more than a couple of passes together.
Sittingbourne's
first sniff at goal came on 25 minutes when Akhazzan threaded the
ball through to West who was bearing down on the Hillians goal,
keeper Joel Harding came rushing out and tried to clear the ball
but only succeeded in striking it against West, unfortunately the
ball was then kicked out for a throw. A minute later Akhazzan was
again the provider when he found Joe Goldsmith who struck his shot
goal-wards but it struck one of his own men in the Hillians area
and the ball was cleared.
The
Hillians hit back with a shot from George Hayward that skewed wide
and the Sittingbourne keeper Matt Reed had to come out of his goal
smartly to block a shot, but Sittingbourne ended the half with a
a good move involving Palmer and Bryan Glover that culminated in
a shot from Akhazzan that went a whisker wide.
Sittingbourne
started the second half reasonably well with a shot from Ryan Golding
flying over the bar and then Abraham setting up Akhazzan but his
shot was kicked away for a corner, then Goldsmith fired an effort
straight at Harding. Sittingbourne were now on top and it was West's
turn to have a go after latching onto a Glover pass but his effort
went high and wide. Then came probably the best Sittingbourne move
of the game as Ryan Palmer found Ryan Cooper who put in a tantalising
cross into the area but Akhazzan was stretching as he got to the
ball and sent it high and wide over the bar.
The
Hillians appeared to be tiring but had a couple of efforts including
substitutes Jordan Woodley's shot that struck the side netting,
but the final effort of the game went to the Brickies with another
effort from Akhazzan following a Luke Girt pass but the ball was
headed was headed clear, and it seemed that if the teams had played
all night they still wouldn't have found the net!
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Senior
Cup exit
all
Pictures by Tommy McMillan ... more
here
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Bognor
Regis Town 3 - 0 Burgess Hill Town FC
A
stormy night and an afternoon pitch inspection before this
game took place. The prize for the winners would be a tie
against Brighton & Hove Albion in the quarter-finals
of the Sussex Senior Cup. Hillian's London based players
plus the Manager were all unable to reach the game because
of railway disruption, one Bognor fan who missed the match
notes that it took him 2 1/2 hours to get to Bognor from
Haywards Heath!
So, Burgess Hill are left with a bare 11 players. However,
a spirited performance followed and there was no score until
a deflected own goal was conceded in the 45th minute. Bognor
scored their second about 10 minutes after the break and
Terry Dodd scored his second with 5 minutes to go. The young
Hillians can come away with much credit.
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3
goals and 3 points
BURGESS
HILL TOWN
Joel Harding
Neil Watts
Akwasi Edusei
Tom Bold
Oliver Poole
Kit Tregear
Pat Harding
Lloyd Cotton ©
Jones Awuah
Tyrone Berry
George Hayward
Fred Forman
Jonno Melia
Ollie Lockyer
Joe White
Olekan Bankhole
WHITSTABLE
TOWN
Jack Smelt
Gary Sayer
James Brown
Joe Hitchings
Steven Lloyd
Marc Cumberbatch
James Mollish
Dan Wisker
Stuart Vahid
Damian Abel
John Paul Collier
Scott Heard
Gary Mickelborough
Alfie Monday
Dane Luchford
Grigoli Zulmatashvili
all
Pictures by Terry Buckman ...... more
here
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Hill
started the second half with good possession again and took
the lead after the hour mark when teenage midfielder struck
a glorious shot from all of 30 yards and into the top corner
of the goal. The home crowd became incensed when the referee
Steve Tomlinson and his assistant failed to award the Hillians
a penalty when Jones Awuah was tripped inside the area. This
galvanised Whitstable into action and they continued to press
for an equaliser, this came through Damian Abel with only
8 minutes of the game remaining.
The
match looked there for the taking as both sides now missed
chances. But, in the 88th minute it was Hill's midfielder
Olalekan Bankole who popped up with the winner with a bullet
header from Pat Harding's corner.S
Jones
Awuah is fouled inside the box
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Top
left .. Tom Bold celebrates his long range goal. Top
right ... 'Lekan scores the winner and is then buried
beneath players!
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Hill
'keeper makes the England squad
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Tom
(on the left) about to be tested in a penalty shoot-out in
the pre-season friendly against Brighton & Hove Albion
earlier this year.
Check
the English Schools FA site http://www.esfa.co.uk
for details of upcoming games. Amongst the fixtures they will
be playing Poland at West Ham's ground, Scotland in Newcastle
and Republic of Ireland home and away with the home fixture
at The Amex! Tom is the only Sussex player to make the squad.
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WELL
DONE TOM
Youth
team goalkeeper Tom Betts has made it through the selection
process at Lilleshall under Manager Andy Williams into the
final squad of the England Schoolboys Under 18 team.
Tom
is currently getting experience of men's football playing
for AFC Uckfield in Sussex County Division 1.
The
only other Hillian (we can think of) to make an England
youth squad was Ollie Rowland, the brother of Manager Simon.
If
you want to see Tom in action for Burgess Hill's Youth side
... Monday 12th Dec away to Whitwhawk and Sunday 18th Dec
at Lewes in the County Cup are the next two Youth games.
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Defeat
away to the Leaders
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Dulwich
Hamlet FC 2 - 0 Burgess Hill Town FC
A
good crowd of 373 attended the 'top v bottom' fixture at Champion
Hill on Saturday. The home side, as expected, started strongly
but it was Burgess Hill striker Pat Harding who's opportune
strike from just outside the area flew just past the upright
in the 10th minute. Dulwich Hamlet dominated the opening exchanges,
especially down the left flank, where 'man of the match' Dean
Carpenter looked dangerous, along with striker no.10 Frankie
Sawyer. But it was Ishmail Kamara who opened the scoring after
the visitors defence failed to clear the ball.
Burgess
Hill continued to contribute to the game by keeping possession
but without making many inroads into the Dulwich half of the
pitch. 1-0 at half time.
The
second half started with Burgess Hill on the attack and half
chances fell to Awuah Jones and Tyrone Berry before Dulwich
broke and went further ahead, again through Kamara. Dulwich
dominated the remainder of the half, hitting the woodwork
on three occasions. Results elsewhere now leave Burgess Hill
bottom of the table.
Dulwich
Hamlet FC: Phil Wilson, Kalvin Morath-Gibbs, Dean Carpenter,
Peter Adeniyi, Francis Duku, Michael Chambers, Sanchez Ming,
Ethan Pinnock, Ishmail Kamara, Frankie Sawyer, Andre Costa,
Lewis Gonsalves, Kevin James, Charles Ofusu-Hene, Mihai Lungan,
Junior Kadi
Burgess
Hill Town: Joel Harding, Joe White, Akwasi Edusei, Lloyd Cotton
(C), Oliver Poole, Kit Tregear, Tyrone Berry, George Hayward,
Pat Harding, Jones Awuah, Jonno Melia. subs: Tom Bold (on
for Jonno Melia), Fred Foreman (on for George Hayward), unused
subs: Olalekan Bankole, Bradley Murray
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Youth
team 'keeper news
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Youth
team goalkeeper Tom Betts has made it to the final 30 of the
England Schoolboys under 18s trials.
He is now down to the final 4 goalkeepers in that squad ....
well done Tom!
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A
poor showing
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A
prematch get together for a meal brought all the players
to the club early. But the desired effect of a turnaround
in fortures didn't materialise. Another early goal against
and Hill were 3 down by half-time. Godalming were a good
side and we may have struggled to beat them ... on a good
day. But the manner of our performance was a concern to
the Hillian's Manager, who had this to say ...
"We
setup to play in a certain way, and the least we expect is
for the players to compete and that didn't happen. Players
aren't performing to their potential. The work ethic is missing
and that is essential before we can contemplate playing the
way we want to play. On
the back of that poor performance we asked the players to
go away and think about their current contributions and we
have had positive responses and we will look to see an improvement
over the coming weeks."
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A
perfect end to the day for Lloyd Cotton, as he sits in A&E
waiting to have his thumb relocated!
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Painful
at both ends of the pitch
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A
useful battling away point
Burgess
Hill Town FC
Joel Harding ©
Joe White
Akwasi Edusei
Olalakan Bankole
Oliver Poole
Bradley Murray
Tyrone Berry
George Hayward
Pat Harding
Fred Foreman
Jonno Melia
Kit Tregear
Quentin Conteh
Luke Donaldson
Casey Ham
Oli Lockyer
Faversham
Town FC
(Red / Blue )
Robert French
Ashley Brown
Sam Gore
Tom Hickman ©
James Peacock
Matthew Bourne
Justin Ascheri
Damian Abel
Adrian Stone
Danny Huckton
David Botterill
Shane Hamshare
Lee Shearer
Daniel Ellett
Aarun Quain
Daniel Ellis
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Oliver
Poole, Tyrone Berry and George Hayward return to the team today
and Joe White (dual-signed from Rye) makes his debut at right
back. Lloyd Cotton and Neil Watts are both unavailable for this
match. Honours are even in the first half and as Hill continue
to play good passing football and move more into the game, taking
the lead towards the end of the first half from another clever
free kick by Fred Foreman. The lead only lasts a few minutes
as Faversham equaliser just before halftime. That's how the
score stays but the visitors press for the winner - as do Faversham,
and a couple of super saves from Joel Harding keep us pushing
forward right to the end. George Hayward gets the Man of The
Match from the Non League Paper for his quality display. Kit
Tregear comes on as a late sub, as does Casey Ham making his
second appearance for the club.
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'Lekan
in action.
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crowd
salute Tyrone Berry
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Fred
Foreman
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MOM
George Hayward
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Jonno
Melia
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Pat
Harding
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'Kwasi
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Jonno
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debut
for Joe White
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Bradley
Murray follow up Fred Foreman's free kick
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congratulations
and
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celebrations
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Defender
leaves the club
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Defender
Craig Hall has left Burgess Hill Town Football Club after
struggling with the demands of Isthmian League football.
Manager
Simon Rowlands expresses himself very disappointed, but he
and the club thank Craig for all his efforts and wishes him
well for the future.
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Beaten
by the Hawks, but another 2 Youth make their bow
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The
missing players made tonight's task look daunting, but the
performance left Hill Manager Simon Rowland quite pleased:
"I thought we deserved huge, huge credit for the way
we played. I was really pleased with the way we set out."
Missing were Lloyd Cotton (groin), Oliver Poole and Tyrone
Berry both still not quite back to fitness, George Hayward
(suspension) and Quentin Conteh (illness).
Two
Youth teamers made their debuts ... Pat Soan and Luke Donaldson.
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Hill
concede from a close range header after about 12 minutes ...
how different the whole evening could have been had Pat Hardings
goal not been disallowed a few minutes earlier! (but that's
the world of What If!). The second goal comes early in the
second half.
5
seventeen year olds and 1 sixteen year old played tonight and
the growing input from the sucessful youth team, their management
and coaching is a big bonus said the Manager.
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Burgess
Hill Town FC: Joel Harding, Craig Hall, Akwasi Edusei (Tom Bold
79), Olelakan Bankole, Neil Watts ©,
Bradley Murray (Pat Soan 87), Jonno Melia, Kit Tregear, Pat Harding,
Fred Foreman, Oli Lockyer (Luke Donaldson 70) ... Sub unused: Tom
Stillwell
Whitehawk
FC: Winterton, Keehan, Knee, Armstrong (Akehurst 8), El-Abd, Pullan
(Richards 63), Hughes, Fraser, Gargan, Gatting (Bowes 70), Saunders
... Subs unused: Godfrey, Tuck
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Burgess
Hill on fire
Flavour
Restaurant
2 Keymer Road, Burgess Hill
West Sussex, RH15 0AD
Tel. +44 (0)1444 480 400
Tel. +44 (0)1444 257 266
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After
the exciting 3 - 3 against Eastbourne Town earlier in the afternoon,
the players and management head off to Flavour Restaurant for
a lovely curry. Mustak and his staff were guests of the club
this afternoon and enjoyed the game enormously.
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In
the end a draw will do
Burgess
Hill Town FC
1.Joel Harding
2.Craig Hall
3.Akwasi Edusei
4.Tom Bold
5.Neil Watts ©
6.Bradley Murray
7.Jonno Melia
8.Lloyd Cotton
9.Pat Harding
10.Fred Foreman
11.Oli Lockyer
12.Quentin
Conteh (Lockyer, 61)
14.Kit Tregear (Cotton, 71)
15.Brandon Willis
16.Olelakan Bankole
Eastbourne
Town FC
Kieron Thorpe
Adam Davidson
Sonny Cobbs
Dean Brooks
Nick Fogden (c)
Steve Elliott
Scott Kirkwood
Sam Crabb
Richard Greenfield
Nathan Crabb
Matt Geard
Stacy
Freeman
Nythram Dickson-Baker
Matt Percival
Danny Simmonds
Callum Christie
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Things
were looking bleak for Burgess Hill - after just 16 minutes
they found themselves 2-0 down. On
11 minutes Joel Harding decided against coming for a long
free kick to the far post and former team-mate Nick Fogden
headed the ball back across goal for Dean Brooks to nod it
over the line. Five minutes later another ex-Hillian, Richard
Greenfield, pulled the back across for Sam Crabb to apply
a finish.
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Faint
hope came when Pat Harding and Oli Lockyer did well on the
left but Lockyer’s finish was well wide of the far post.
The young midfielder, back from a two-week trial at Orient
was then the victim of a Fogden stamp that would surely have
brought a red card had it been spotted by referee Ashley Slaughter.
He consulted a linesman and issued a yellow card but that
was clearly a let-off for the visiting skipper. The referee
had a long chat with home captain Neil Watts and later manager
Simon Rowland as they no doubt questioned the decision but
strangely there was an upturn in Hillians’ form after
that.
Ten
minutes later Fred Foreman sent Harding racing through but a
bad touch meant the chance was missed and from the resulting
corner Lloyd Cotton had a shot blocked. But two minutes after
that Foreman swung in a free kick from the left and Cotton’s
back header went in off the far post.
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That
threw Hillians a lifeline and they should have been level
on the stroke of half time when Cotton won a great header
but Harding was unable to finish.
The
hosts made a positive start to the second half but Eastbourne
scored with virtually their first attack six minutes in. Nathan
Crabb, on loan from Eastbourne Borough, took on Akwaisi Edusei
and his cross was swept in by Greenfield. With Nathan Crabb
managing only one goal this season and former Hillian Danny
Curd, currently out injured, still to open his account, Town
are having to rely on their goals from elsewhere.
After that only a fine save by Joel Harding denied another
ex-Hillian, Sonny Cobbs, also on loan from Borough and having
scored twice in three games from full back.
But
there looked to be more goals in the match and thankfully
for Hillians, they both came to them although not before Watts
cleared off the line from from yet another ex-Hill player,
Matt Geard.
On
72 minutes there were four visiting players waiting to clear
a poor free kick but the ball fell to sub Quentin Conteh on
the left and from his cross Jonno Melia timed his run to perfection
to score with a classic header.
It was game back on and Hillians sensed there was something
to be had from the match.
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A
wonderful cross by Edusei was only just missed by Harding at
the far post but soon after a great reverse ball by the quick-footed
left back sent Tom Bold away and from his cross Harding claimed
the touch that sent the ball on to the far and over the line
before bouncing into the hands of keeper Kieron Thorpe.
Home players were quick to claim the ball had crossed the line
and Portsmouth linesman Casimir Nzenga agreed. The closing minutes
brought almost constant Hillians pressure - but no more goals.
Man
of The Match: Neil Watts with Match Sponsor: Richard Soan of
RICHARD SOAN ROOFING
(and Mascot: Ethan Maskell - nearly 11yo)
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No
fireworks from Hill in this heavy defeat at Bognor
Burgess
Hill Town
Joel Harding
Craig Hall
Akwasi Edusei
Olalekan Bankole
Neil Watts (c)
Bradley Murray
Pat Harding
Lloyd Cotton
Jones Awuah
Fred Foreman
Jonno Melia
Tom Bold
Quentin Conteh
Kit Tregear
Brandon Willis
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Bognor
Regis Town 5 - 0 Burgess Hill Town FC
There
were no fireworks from Burgess Hill as they took a bit of
a beating today. For about the first quarter of the game
the visitors competed in this Sussex derby with the high-flying
Rocks - a side that missed promotion by the narrowest
of margins last season and are expected to put things right
this season.
But
after the opening exchanges there looked to be only one
winner in this game. Hill were clinically cut open too often
and were second best in most departments, 'keeper Joel Harding
comes away with credit as Man of The Match .... and his
mind must be on other things as he awaits the imminent arrival
of their first child.
Two
ex-hillians in the Bognor squad today: Ben Johnson, as usual
giving his markers a torrid time and Steve Harper making
his debut, on loan, from Met. Police after his summer move
to the Premier division side.
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Bognor
Regis Town: Craig Stoner, Jon Marzetti, Darryl Wollers, Kane Wills,
Stuart Axten (c), Chris Breach, Lewis Ide, James Crane, Jason Prior,
Terry Dodd, Ben Johnson, Steve Harper, Jack Blatchford, Connor Cody,
Tyler Hope, Tom Boyle
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3
goals ... 3 red cards ... and 3 points
Burgess
Hill Town
Joel Harding
Craig Hall
Akwasi Edusei
George Hayward
Bradley Murray
Neil Watts ©
Olalekan Bankole
Lloyd Cotton
Pat Harding
Fred Foreman
Quentin Conteh
Tom Bold
Brandon Willis
Jonno Melia
Jones Awuah
Sittingbourne
F C
Tim Roberts
Ryan Cooper
Dan Palfrey
Bryan Glover
Jerry Namani
Sam Groombridge
Joe Goldsmith
Anthony Hogg
Ryan Golding
Hicham Akhazzan
Billy Manners ©
Jaie Nuttall
Jonathon Hogg
Jack Hooper
Bradley Spice
Matt Reed
Lots
more pictures HERE
thanks to Terry Buckman
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A
cold night and the prospect of trying to get three points
from traditionally tough Kentish opponents was the order
of the day. As
the Hillians' performances continue to improve and the settled
squad now beginning to gel.
The
game was goalless at half time with neither side taking
charge. The home side overcame their opponents with 3 goals.
The first after winger Jonno Melia was hacked down resulting
in a red card for the visitor. From the free kick Fred Foreman
fired straight in between the keeper and the near post with
the defensive wall and both sides set for the cross - a
clever goal.
Then
left back Akwasi Edusei bringing the ball out from the back,
carried deep in the Sittingbourne half, around a couple
of defenders, then a nice 'nutmeg' before firing firmly
across the keeper high into the far side of the net. Inbetween
the 2nd and 3rd goal there were two further sendings off
as Sittingbourne 'unravelled'.
George Hayward got the third goal after exchanging passes
with Tom Bold and slotting it home confidently via a slight
deflection. Further chances fell to Jones Awuah when it
seemed easier to score than miss.
Three
great points are a just reward for a good professional performance
in all areas tonight.
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Edged
out again at home
Burgess
Hill
1.Joel Harding
2.Craig Hall
3.Akwasi Edusei
4.Olalekan Bankole
5.Oliver Poole
6.Neil Watts ©
7.Jonno Melia
8.Lloyd Cotton
9.Pat Harding
10.Fred Foreman
11.Quentin Conteh
12.Jones
Awuah (55mins on for #7)
14.George Hayward (59mins on for #4)
15.Brandon Willis
16.Bradley Murray (75mins on for #11)
Ramsgate
F C
Danny Twyman
Michael Yianni
James Gregory
Luke Wheatley
Liam Quinn ©
Ben Laslett
Pascal Ebigbo
Simon Pettit
Mark Lovell
Joe Taylor
Steve O'Brien
Ollie Gray
Warren Schulz
Mitchell Sherwood
Tom Chapman
Josh Mattless
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bench
and Pat Harding
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Fred Foreman home debut
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debutants
celebrate
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1
up
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Penalty
is
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turned down
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penalty
is given
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Quinten
Conteh
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'Leken
at work
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Captain
Neil Watts
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Rams
keep Lloyd out
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Cotton
again
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Second
half just won't bring a goal ....
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Senior
Cup win & a debut hat trick
SELSEY
FC
1 S Joyce
2 J Dowsett
3 M Hinshelwood
4 J Tribe
5 L Killner
6 D Hegarty
7 H Alao
8 A Morey
9 R Wimble (c)
10 O Bugiel
11 D Styles
12 G Bush
14 S Dobbs
15 J Goulding
16 S Morey
17 C Britton
BURGESS
HILL
1 Joel Harding
2 Craig Hall
3 Brandon Willis
4 Tom Bold
5 Bradley Murray
6 Neil Watts (c)
7 Jonno Melia
8 Lloyd Cotton
9 Pat Harding
10 Fred Foreman
11 Quentin Conteh
12 Jones Awuah
14 Olalekan Bankole
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A
big win for Burgess Hill in the Sussex Senior Cup 2nd round.
It's easy to say this is against a side from a league below
us, but it's well known how hard a County side will go up
against supposedly higher opposition - we did it ourselves
for years - and these games have to be fought for. So this
is a good win and a timely good performance, with quality
showings all over the pitch.
Fred
Foreman made his debut and scored a hat trick, Pat Harding
scored two and Quentin Conteh scored the screamer that his
performance deserved.
It
was 3-1 at halftime, and late in the game both subs came on
for Fred Foreman and Craig Hall
Manager
Simon Rowland had this to say after the game: "We
had a much better purpose to our play tonight, which was pleasing
after Saturday. Ok the opposition were not what we face week
in week out but these games can sometimes be tricky so I was
pleased more so with how we set out and continued to keep
the ball over the 90 minutes.
Now we are nearing our final squad we can start integrating
some of the youth and I thought Brandon Willis and Tom Bold
in particular looked like they had been playing this level
for years which was another big plus. We now have a hard month
ahead of us and hopefully we can get the full squad fit and
start moving up the table and into a competitive league position,
which is where this new look squad belongs."
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Simon
Sez ...
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Manager
Sim0n Rowland's reaction to last weekend's defeat at Hythe
...
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"Today’s
performance had elements of the away game against Folkestone
a few weeks back with a real lack of any passion and work
ethic. We looked tired for large parts and had really poor
ball retention throughout the game and it’s not something
I want to see again this season. I felt both sides contributed
to what was a game with little quality, however with the players
we had missing in Oliver Poole, Tyrone Berry, Fred Foreman,
Pat Harding not including Ollie Lockyear and Kit Tregear who
are still unavailable due to their trials with Leyton Orient
and Sunderland respectively it was understandable. I am looking
forward to sitting down and watching the DVD of the game to
see if we can take some positives out of it and maybe sit
down again at training on Thursday and go through it as a
team. We did this after the Folkestone game and we got a good
response from the players so hopefully with Ramsgate at home
Saturday we can get the same outcome.‘’
"On a final note it is great news that Lloyd Cotton has
decided not to join promotion favourites Bognor. It's refreshing
to see loyalty in today's game at any level and although his
love for the club was a big reason for him staying he also
felt the style of play and squad has a good future and wants
to be a part of this going forward."
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Lloyd
stays.
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Deflating
late goal mean another Cup exit
Burgess
Hill Town
Joel Harding
Craig Hall
Akwasi Edusei
Olalekan Bankole
Bradley Murray
Neil Watts
Jonno Melia
Lloyd Cotton
Jones Awuah
George Hayward
James Rhodes
Tom
Bold
Brandon Willis
Quentin Conteh
Casey Ham
Hythe
Town - Mann, Lacy, Walker, Kingwell, Harvey, Dolan, Cook (c),
Barnes, Dryden (Blackman - 72), Sinden, Winfield (Hassan - 62) - Unused
subs - A Porter, Smith, Egan
Finally
Fitness Coach finds something he like nothing better than ... his
picture take with a celebrity (google
Tamer Hassan)
Check
back tomorrow for manager Simon and coach Dan's reaction.
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A
trip to Hythe's lovely ground on a cold, bright day with a
swirling wind on another unseasonably bobbly pitch that neither
side could master.
A
sickening goal in the 94 minute saw Hillians again exit too
early in a Cup competition.
Lloyd
Cotton was made Captain at the request of the players - and
nobody knows weather he will be playing for us at Selsey on
Tuesday or if he'll be a Bognor player by then. Casey Ham made
his debut late in the game and with 11 minutes to go George
Hayward was given a straight red for his sliding challenge for
a 50-50 ball, most people thought the letter of the law was
followed but that the red card was pretty harsh.
A
pensive Lloyd Cotton at the 'spin-up' and pictured in action
throughout the match.
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goalmouth
action
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Akwasi
Edusei
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Bradley
Murray
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don't
argue!
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'Lekan!
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Jonesey!
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Tom
Bold & Casey Ham
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Rhodes
& Hayward
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Cup
exit and a scoring debut
Burgess
Hill Town
Joel Harding (Capt)
Jonno Melia
Akwasi Edusai
Olalekan Bankole
Bradley Murray
Craig Hall
Lloyd Cotton
George Hayward
Quentin Conteh
Pat Harding
James Rhodes
Tom
Bold (for Quentin Conteh HT), Brandon Willis (for James Rhodes 77)
... unused: Neil Watts
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With
the league position a priority, and a few players recovering
from knocks, this was probably a game to 'get through and
take as much from it as possible by way of a good performance'
- well we did that.
Nyren
Clunis scored for Hamlet in the 17th minute after a breakdown
in midfield and Junior Kadi made it 2-1 before the break from
the penalty spot on 32 minutes. A quick goal after the interval
from Peter Adeniyi put the match beyond Hill who then grew
in confidence and possession before Pat Harding scored on
57 minutes from a James Rhodes cross, Pat signed from Whitehawk
the day before and immediately got his feet under the table!
Dean Carpenter made it a touch flattering for Dulwich on 67
minutes. Two Youth teamers gave good accounts of themselves:
Brandon Willis who came on for James Rhodes and Tom Bold (pictured
below) who made his debut and played the whole of the second
half.
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Pat
Harding ... a goal on his debut.
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Tom
Bold ... confident first start for Youth teamer
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Dulwich
Hamlet: James Tedder, Kalvin Morath-Gibbs, Mihai Lungan, Junior
Kadi, Lewis Gonsalves, Michael Chambers, Nyren Clunis, Sol Patterson-Bonner,
Mu Maan, Omarr Lawson, Dean Carpenter ... subs: Francis
Duku, Frankie Sawyer, Sanchez Ming, Peter Adeniyi, Matt Piper
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Points
shared as injuries disrupt Hill.
Burgess
Hill Town
1 Joel Harding ©
2 Craig Hall
3 Akwasi Edusei
4 Olalekan Bankole
5 Oliver Poole
6 Neil Watts
7 Tyrone Berry
8 Lloyd Cotton
9 Jones Awuah
10 George Hayward
11 Jonno Melia
12 James Rhodes
14 Kit Tregear
15 Quentin Conteh
16 Bradley Murray
Walton
Casuals
1 Lee Pearce
2 Jordan Knight
3 Jordan Cheadle
4 Craig Lewington ©
5 Liam Hind
6 Alfie Arthur
7 Michael Barima
8 Jack Duffy
9 Danny Buckle
10 Mark Nicholls
Kofi Lockhart-Adams
12 Tyrone Newton
14 Ashley Alexander
15 Kristian Webb
16 Dave Green
17 Max Howell
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Best
showing so far.
Burgess
Hill Town
Joel Harding ©
Craig Hall
Akwasi Edusi
Olelekan Bankole
Oliver Poole
Neil Watts
Tyrone Berry
Lloyd Cotton
Jones Awuah
George Hayward
James Rhodes
Jonno Melia
Stephane Koffi
Quentin Conteh
Bradley Murray
Corinthian
Casuals
Danny Braken
Tom Williams
Byron Brown
Joe Hicks
Scott Hassell ©
Rob Sheridan
Kane Sargeant
Danny Green
Joel Thompson
Saheed Sankoh
Dave Hodges
Jeff Okirie
Matt Farrell
Rob Stevenson
Gabriel Adesina
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A
week on from a heat wave and now it's winter ... a similar
change was visable in the Hillians' performance, because this
was the best showing of the season so far.
Defeating
the Corinthians, in the FA Trophy, when they had put 5 past
a few weeks ago and are having a good season, including a recent
win against table-topping Bognor, makes this win all the more
satisfactory. |
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welcome
back .. 'Lekan
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and
Lloyd
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15
Quentin Conteh & 14 Stephane Koffi
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Stephane
Koffi made his debut from the bench during the 2nd half.
On 80 minutes Tyrone Berry cut in from the right and fired
the second goal across the visiting keeper - picture below.
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Long
trip on hottest day
Burgess
Hill Town: Joel Harding ©
Craig Hall
Akwasi Edusei
Bradley Murray
Oliver Poole
Neil Watts
Tyrone Berry
Kit Tregear
Jones Awuah
George Hayward
Jonna Melia
James
Rhodes, Stephane Koffi, Oli Lockyer, Quentin Conteh, Lloyd Cotton
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It
was difficult for both teams to get to grips on a hard and bumpy
pitch and a hot afternoon's work. But Burgess Hill failed to
make any impression on the game in the first half and in the
second half there was little difference in the way the game
played out. ........ Chances were
few and far between. In the second half Folkestone always looked
the more likely to score and they took the lead in the 72nd
minute with a quality strike from outside the penalty area.
Hard work ahead for the Hillians to turn around results.
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Oliver
Poole
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Akwasi
Edusei
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Quentin
Conteh
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Tyrone
Berry
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Oliver
Poole
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Jonno
Melia
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Two
new signings
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Burgess
Hill have signed two players from Welling United, who currently
sit third in the Conference South.
Oliver
Poole, a Central Defender who started his career at Millwall
youth before being released at 16. He has played for the club's
college programme for two years before graduating to the first
team.
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Quentin
Conteh, a striker who finished with the golden boot award for
the Football Conference Youth Alliance with Cambridge United
before spending a season at Beckenham Town where he scored 12
goals.
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Edged
out in thriller
Burgess
Hill Town: Joel Harding ©
Craig Hall
Akwasi Edusei
Bradley Murray
Billy Parkinson
Neil Watts
Tyrone Berry
Kit Tregear
Jones Awuah
George Hayward
James Rhodes
Lloyd Cotton
Oli Lockyer
Jonno Melia
Nick Holland
Stephane Koffi
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Burgess
Hill started the game against highly fancied Maidstone United
who were fresh from their exploits in the FA Cup. The opening
exchanges saw Maidstone dominating with fast flowing attacking
football and it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead
through Baff Addae's crisp low drive on 14 minutes. However,
going forward Hill always looked a threat and equalised on 32
minutes through tricky winger Tyrone Berry who cut in from the
left with a similar crisp low drive into the far corner past
keeper Charlie Mitten ... 1-1. The half petered out with neither
side having any chances.
The
2nd half started with the home side much more in control and
again Tyrone Berry was causing the Maidstone defence some problems,
this produced a goal from a shot cum cross in the 67th minute
to give Burgess Hill an unlikely 2-1 lead. Maidstone immediately
piled on the pressure and equalised through Addae again who
turned and shot in the penalty area leaving keeper Joel Harding
with no chance. Two minutes later the Burgess Hill defence were
again found wanting and Maidstone took a 3-2 lead. Burgess Hill
rallied in the last period of the game but couldn't find an
equaliser.
Overall,
against good quality opposition, Burgess Hill's performances
continue to improve.
Maidstone
United FC: Charlie Mitten, Tommy Osborne, Tom Mills, Nick Reeves,
Graeme Andrews ©, Danny Lye , Ellis Green, Sam Bewick,
Shaun Welford, Baff Addae, Karl Knight, Jay Saunders, James
Pinnock, Alex Waugh, James Abraham, Jimmy Humphris
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First
victory
Hythe
Town: Mann, Lacy (Hassan - 63), Walker, Kingwell, Harvey, Dolan, Cook
(c), Barnes, Blackman (Thompson - 58), Cass, Dryden (Winfield - 58)
- Unused subs - Egan, A Porter
Burgess
Hill Town Joel Harding, Craig Hall, Akwasi Edusei, Bradley Murray,
Billy Parkinson, Neil Watts, Tyrone Berry, Kit Tregear, Jones Awuah,
George Hayward, James Rhodes ... subs
Lloyd Cotton, Stephane Koffi, Oli Lockyer, Jonno Melia, Nick Holland
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Hythe
Town FC 2 - 3 Burgess Hill Town FC
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Being
away on holiday, I can do no better than lift the report from the
Hythe website
...
Hythe
Town's unbeaten run came to an end as Burgess Hill Town took advantage
of a lacklustre performance from the home side to race into a three
goal lead. However, Scott Porter is a manager who will never give
up on a game, and in Dave Cook he has a player that shares that philosophy.
The Hythe captain, playing as a make-shift striker in the closing
stages, almost grabbed a dramatic hat-trick and a share of the points
for his side. It was not to be though as Cook and Hythe had to settle
for only two goals, giving the visitors their first win of the season,
Hythe will now look to bounce back in the Tuesday night local derby
with Whitstable Town.
In
a poor first-half there was little goalmouth action, Cook having a
volley deflected just wide after an Aaron Lacy throw-in, whilst at
the other end James Rhodes sent a volley whistling just over Kieron
Mann's crossbar. Brendon Cass should have opened the scoring with
an unmarked header that Joel Harding plucked out of the air, following
a Ronnie Dolan free-kick. With half-time approaching the home side
went close again as NIck Barnes' shot deflected just wide after another
uncleared Lacy throw. The game took a decisive twist in the last minute
of the half, as a clearance from keeper Harding bounced into the path
of Jones Awuah who calmly slotted home following confusion in the
Hythe back-line.
The
home side came out for the second-half looking a lot brighter, as
Lloyd Blackman flicked into the path of Cass to send a volley flashing
just wide of the post. But Hythe's improved attitude quickly turned
into an over-eagerness to get bodies forward, and within four minutes
the game was apparently wrapped up for Burgess Hill Town. The visitors
broke quickly from two Hythe set-pieces to punish some poor organisation
at the back for Hythe. Substitute Lloyd Cotton was the first to bundle
home after Tyrone Berry's shot had deflected along the Hythe goal-line,
following good work from Awuah. The third goal was even more clinical
as Awuah's pass in behind the Hythe defensive line sent George Hayward
sprinting clear into the Hythe half to confidently roll his finish
past Mann.
Put
simply, Hythe looked a different side in the final third of the game,
as Porter made major changes to both personnel and formation with
the introduction of Craig Thompson, Lee Winfield, and Taser Hassan,
along with a shift to a 3-4-3 formation with skipper Cook moved into
the forward-line. Within minutes of the changes Barnes had smashed
an unstoppable shot against Harding's post, Thompson unable to convert
the rebound. With just over fifteen minutes remaining Hythe had their
lifeline as Barnes sent a delightful through-ball with the outside
of his boot into the path of Cook, who finished with deft strike past
Harding. Three minutes later it was game on, Cass bundled over in
the box, and Cook smashing home his second from the penalty-spot.
In a frantic finish Cotton hit the Hythe post, whilst Hassan looked
to find Cook with cross after cross, the Hythe captain almost sealing
a dramatic point for his side but heading his final chance to equalise
just wide.
Scorers
- Hythe Town - Cook - 73, 76 (pen) - Burgess Hill Town - Awuah - 45
- Cotton - 52 - Hayward - 56
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Club
President
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Club President
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The
Club sadly announces the death of President Jack Lake.
Jack
had been a very keen supporter of Burgess Hill Town Football
Club, both as a Committee member and former Chairman.
After many years hard work for the football club he became
Honorary President in 2002.
Jack
could be often seen in the Burgess Hill board room, always
wanting to talk about his beloved football club and life
in the town of Burgess Hill.
Over
the last few years Jack has fought illness bravely, and
at this sad time our thought will be with his wife and
family. He will be sadly missed by all those who knew
him.
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Beaten
at home
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Burgess Hill Town FC 1 - 3 Chipstead FC
Burgess
Hill Town entertained Chipstead FC on Tuesday evening looking
for their first victory. This was not forthcoming as a slick
Chipstead side totally out-played Burgess Hill, and went in
at half time 2-0 up through Jason Goodchild and Jordan Brown.
With some angry words ringing in their ears from Manager Simon
Rowland Hill started the second half with much more purpose,
but more woeful defending early on was punished by Bill Harding
giving Chipstead a 3-0 advantage.
Jones
Awuah reduced the arrears on 66 minutes as the Hillians fought
to get back into the game, however it was not to be and Chipstead
comfortably saw off Burgess Hill to record a fine 3-1 away victory.
The home side again played some neat approach play and worked
hard, however they must stop leaking goals if they are to climb
away from the foot of the table.
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Defeat
at Whyteleafe
Hillians:
Joe Harding (c), Neil Watts, Akwasi Edusei, Kit Tregear, Martin Butkus,
Billy Parkinson, Tyrone Berry, George Hayward, Jones Awuah, Oli Lockyer,
James Rhodes ... subs 12 Craig Hall, 14 Olelaken Bankole, 15 Lloyd
Cotton, 17 Nick Holland, 17 Bradley Murray
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Whyteleafe
2 - 0 Burgess Hill Town FC
After
several seasons with a settled squad - the revolution continues.
Debuts today for Akwasi Edusei, Martin Butkus, Billy Parkinson,
Tyrone Berry, George Hayward and Craig Hall as the club continues
to look for the required combination. Today's game? ... plenty
of the ball, plenty of passes, played almost all of the good
football, hit the woodwork 3 times, a few defensive lapses .....
2-0 and looking like we wouldn't score if we stayed out there
all day.
Oli
Lockyer is forced to leave the field early in the game after
a poor challenge. Lloyd Cotton makes a return from injury. An
exciting debut from Tyrone Berry with a tricky display on the
wing.
Quote
from the Whyteleafe forum "Burgess Hill played .........
some of the best passing football we've seen thus far this season."
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3
new players: Billy Parkinson, Martin Butkus & George
Hayward
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Akwasi
Edusei and Billy Parkinson
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Martin
Butkus
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Craig
Hall
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George
Hayward on loan from the Albion ...
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...
and having a shot
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Tyrone
Berry
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Jones
Awuah
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above
4 shots of Joel Harding in action and here 3 of the 'leafe keeper
... did that cross the line?
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Kit
Tregear
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Neil
Watts
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Lloyd
Cotton returns ..
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... to the action
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Expect
to see some new faces
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With
the squad being trimmed by about 8 players this week, a further
5 have signed to strengthen the squad as Simon Rowland continues
to develop his starting eleven.
Most
significant of the signings is TYRONE BERRY a 24 year old winger
with League experience at Crystal Palace, Rushden & Diamonds
and Gillingham. In from Brighton & Hove Albion on work experience
is the attacking midfielder GEORGE HAYWARD. On a month's loan
from Cray Wanderers is central defender BILLY PARKINSON (brother
of Tom who was with us last year). From Peacehaven, full back
24 year old CRAIG HALL has joined the club. Another significant
addition is 24 year old AKWASI FOBI EDUSEI who began his professional
career with Gillingham, where he made 21 appearances in The
Football League making his debut in the championship aged 15
becoming one of the clubs youngest ever players. In 2005 he
then went on to score the winning goal against Liverpool at
Anfield in the F.A youth cup 4th round. He is well known for
his lightning pace and strong left foot. MARTYNAS BUTKUS a 21
year old, 6ft 4" defender who has played for the Lithuanian
under 21 side and is at the club on trial from Hayes & Yeading
FC. Add to that the expected return to the squad of LLOYD COTTON.
Some new faces are sure to be seen at Whyteleafe today.
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FA
Cup fever! ... and straight out for another year
Hillians:
Joe Harding (c), Brandon Willis, Bradley Murray, Olelaken Bankole,
Moshood Olafunmishe, Neil Watts, Nick Holland, Kit Tregear, Jones
Awuah, Oli Lockyer, James Rhodes ... subs Jeff Okirie, Mo Conteh.
Subs unused Tom
Stillwell,Peter Martin,Seb Saunders, Michael Death
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On
a warm summer afternoon Burgess Hill's young side yet again
passed the ball with good effect in the opening period, but
a rasping drive from Oli Lockyer was all they had to show after
the opening 25 minutes.
Thamesmead
took the lead after catching out the Burgess Hill defence with
a quick free kick that sailed in at the far post while the visitors
were still setting up their wall, that remained the score until
half time.
The
killer goal came soon after half time again after lapses of
concentration in Hill's defence. BH tried to force their way
into the game, driven by the ever energetic James Rohdes, and
produced good chances for Nick Holland, Jones Awuah and Mo Conteh.
But only Kit Tregear forced a fine save from Sam Mott in the
Thamesmead goal.
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The
game was all over in the 82 minute when an open BH defence surrendered
the 3rd goal, to top another hard working performance with nothing
to show.
The
FA Cup is over for another year.
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An
International signing and Club Captains appointed
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Those
who saw his goal on his debut against Worthing at the weekend
will have noticed JONES AWUAH. Burgess Hill Town are pleased
to officially announce the signing of 27 year old Jones, who
began his career with Gillingham and made his professional debut
in the Football League First Division against Nottingham Forest.
He has signed from Ashford Town (Midx) where he scored many
goals last season.
He
has also played for the Ghana national team on two occasions.
Burgess
Hill are also proud to announce the appointment of Team and
Club Captains ... congratulations to ...
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Club
Captain - Joel Harding
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Team
Captain - Russell Eldridge
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welcome
to Jones Awuah
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Late
goal for Sussex derby draw
Hillians:
Harding; Willis, Eldridge, Mceniry, Murray; Holland, Tregear, Bankhole,
Lockyer, Rhodes; Awuah. Subs: Okirie (Lockyer, 59), Death (Rhodes,
78), Martin, Owusu & Stillwell (unused)
Worthing:
Alan Mansfield
Matt Piper
Steve Metcalf (c)
Darren Budd
Matt Hurley
Tony Timms
Jamie Brotherton
Luke Gedling
Ryan McBride
Spencer Slaughter
Tom Lawley
subs: Tom Manton
John Lansdale
Marc Pulling
Steve Davies
Billy Franks
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Burgess
Hill Town FC 2 - 2 Worthing FC
 
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John
Lansdale & Peter Miles
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Jones
Awuah
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Jeff
Okirie
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Nick
Holland
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Russell
Eldridge
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Jones
Awuah
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Nick
Holland
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Jeff
Okirie
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Jones
Awuah scores
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Jeff
Okirie
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Equalising
goal and celebrations
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Here's
the story from THE MID SUSSEX TIMES by Chris Francis ...
BURGESS
HILL football manager Simon Rowland made a 180-mile round trip
on Saturday to sign Ghanaian international Jones Awuah and was
rewarded on Monday when the striker’s goal sparked a comeback
to earn a 2-2 draw with Sussex rivals Worthing.
The Rebels arrived as warm favourites to extend their bright start
to the season against a side beaten 5-2 at Corinthian Casuals
on Saturday.
And it looked like the visitors were home and dry when skipper
Steve Metcalf did well to set up Tom Lawley for a clinical finish
to make it 2-0 after 52 minutes.
But 13 minutes later the striker, who hit 26 Ryman Premier goals
for Ashford (Middlesex) last season, showed his quality to throw
Hillians an unexpected lifeline. He was played through by Bradley
Murray and was allowed enough space to beat Alan Mansfield to
his left with an exquisite curling strike.
Rowland and assistant Ben White gambled by throwing on strikers
Jeff Okirie and Michael Death and deep in stoppage time Awuah
won a corner that Death put over to the far post for young Kit
Tregear to score his first senior goal with a towering header
off the underside of the bar.
It was a result that delighted Rowland after he and White drove
back from Tolworth to Burgess Hill to sign Awuah on Saturday night
and then drove him home to Brixton. “We had expected him
at Casuals but he turned up at Burgess Hill instead,” said
the manager.
“He proved what a quality player he is despite not having
trained and this being his first game since May.”
Hillians probably deserved the point for despite plenty more changes,
they are fast developing a good team spirit.
They squandered a good chance to cancel Ryan McBride’s 22nd
minute opener when Tony Timms was adjudged to have handled just
inside the box but Mansfield pulled off an excellent save low
to his right from Ollie Lockyer’s spot kick.
That was after 34 minutes and Lockyer put two good chances wide
in the first three minutes of the second half.
It looked like being costly when Worthing made it 2-0 just afterwards
but Awuah’s goal offered hope and then Hillians had a slice
of luck 10 minutes from time when Jamie Brotherton struck Harding’s
righthand post.
Middy Starman: Jones Awuah, offered a vital lifeline. |
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Beaten
at Corinthian Casuals
Corinthian-Casuals:
Matt Mann, Danny Green, Dave Hodges, Darren Chalke, Scott Hassell
(c), Paul Honey, James Carr, Kane Sergeant, Joel Thompson, Glen Boosey,
Ross Defoe ... subs: Jermiele Johnson, Adam Peck, Tom Williams, Gavin
Quintyne
Burgess
Hill: Joel Harding (c), Neil Watts, Ryan Storrie, Macneil Owusu,
Moshood Olafunmishe, Russell Eldridge,Peter Martin, Kit Tregear, Jeff
Okirie, Oli Lockyear, Seb Saunders ... subs: James Rhodes, Michael Death,
Zak McInery, Olaleken Bankole, Nick Holland |
Corinthian-Casuals
FC 5 - 2 Burgess Hill Town FC
No
camera today, just a few shots on the mobile 'phone. Does
the scoreline reflect the game ....... well, yes and no. At
0-0, 1-0, 1-1 and 2-1 at half time it looked like the game
could be won. A young Hillians side, starting with three 17
year olds on the pitch and much of the rest being not much
older, enjoyed lots of the ball. But later in the game the
young side paid the price for pushing forward and with concentration
missing for a poor few minutes the game was lost. That's not
to say that the Casuals goals weren't well crafted and well
taken.
New
signing Ryan Storrie made an assured debut at left back, giving
a quality performance. Hill's first goals of the season were
scored by
Jeff Okirie and Peter Martin.
The
quality of the play, passing and possession by Hill was pleasurable
to watch and when the cutting edge up front is developed this
team will provide great entertainment. The statistics of passes
made and possesion kept would be hughly in Hill favour, and
as this new team develops they will be exciting to follow.
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Free
kick seals away defeat.
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Walton
& Hersham: Gareth Williams, Steve Betancourt, Shaun Elliott
(Louis-Rae Beadle 61’), Jon Munday, James Nicholls (Jason
Pinnock 44’), Richard Taylor, Sean Bradley, Victor Kiri,
Chamal Fenelon, Reis Stanislaus (Phil Williams 66’),
Josh Webb. Subs. not used: Graeme Purdy, Sheikh Ceesay. Scorer:
Webb (15’)
Burgess
Hill Team: Joel Harding, Neil Watts, Jonna Melia (James Rhodes
70’), Kit Tregear, Moshood Olafunmishe, Russell Eldridge,
Peter Martin, Olaleken Bankole (Macneil Owusu 65’), Jeff
Okirie, Oli Lockyear (Michael Death 80’), Nick Holland.
Subs. not used: Seb Saunders, Zak McInery
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Creditable
draw to open new season.
Burgess
Hill Town FC : 1 Joel Harding © 2 Neil Watts 3 Ahmed Shaker
(17 Jeff Okirie 78mins) 4 Moshood Olafunmishe 5 Russell Eldridge 6
Kit Tregear 7 Jonno Melia 8 Olalekan Bankole 9 Peter Martin (16 Macneil
Owusu 82mins) 10 Oli Lockyer 11 Nick Holland subs unused: 12 Brandon
Willis 14 Mo Conteh 15 Seb Saunders
Croydon
Athletic FC : 1 Charlie Mann, 2 Colin Hartburn 3 Rhys Coleman
4 Elliot Jones 5 Justin Hemmings 6 David Graves © 7 Taurean Roberts
8 Jamie England 9 Eli Kayembe 10 Dave Stevens 11 Kery Kedze 12 Rob
Carter 14 James Fray 15 Liam McDowell 16 Byron Brown 17 Craig Dunne
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Burgess
Hill Town FC 0 - 0 Croydon Athletic FC
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new
Manager Simon Rowland pointing with Coach Ben White
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Oli
Lockyer
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Ahmed
Shaker
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Joel
Harding saves - point blank
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Nick
Holland
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Russell
Eldridge
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Peter
Martin with a 1-0n-1 that only just got away
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Man
of the Match Neil
Watts
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Peter
Martin manages to lift it over the keeper and onto the
crossbar
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Last
training session before Saturday's kick off.
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Timely
win
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With
a welcome break (for some of us) a new job (at the Club) and
a new manager (with a new team) ...... not much has been made
of the pre-season friendlies. A heavy defeat and some draws
have been unreported as being 'unimportant' as the new young
team takes shape ........ however ...
Burgess
Hill Town FC 3 - 0 Potters Bar Town FC
is
a most timely victory, coming in the last pre-season game.
It's an enormous encouragement for everybody, but mostly for
the players who have worked so hard in training. Potters Bar
are a Ryman side and although they created chances, the Hillians
fans watching will agree that the young Hill side outplayed
them and showed an unbelievable team spirit and togetherness
for a team so recently shaped. This will provide a terrific
encouragement to players and supporters alike.
Ollie
Lockyer scored two super goals and Nick Holland added the
other.
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Open
Forum
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New
Manager Simon Rowland will be holding an Open Forum to introduce
himself to supporters and take questions at Leylands Park
this Thursday 11th August at 8.30pm ... rescheduled to the
following Wednesday at 7pm
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Signings
update
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Simon
Rowland gave the following update on player signings ...
signed
... Russell Eldridge - an important signing, a very experienced
player with extensive Ryman Premier experience with both Horsham
and Hastings.
Re-signing from last season we are pleased to announce the re-signing
of : Ollie Lockyer, Joel Harding, Lloyd Cotton, Neil Watts,
Leo Day and Kit Tregear. James Rhodes has also signed, his previous
clubs are Horsham YMCA, Uckfield and Worthing.
As already announced Tom Stillwell and Joel Allwright are signed
too.
The
following trialists who have impressed during pre-season have
signed : Zac McEnriy a centre half from Sidley and Alan McMinigal
a left sided player from Bexhill.
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New
Manager announcement
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Gary
Croydon has stepped aside as Burgess Hill Manager to
concentrate solely on his duties as Chief Executive
of the Club.
Gary
had this to say: "When I returned to management
in 2009 it was only for two seasons, these seasons have
come and gone and have been most enjoyable."
"
The Club's long term future lies in our project to relocate
and all my efforts are needed in that area. "
"In
Simon Rowland we have a new and exciting Manager fresh
from success last season with AFC Uckfield. He has brought
into his backroom staff Ben White as 1st team coach,
I believe that these two young men are a strong future
management team. "
"I
will be working hard to lead the Club forward as Chief
Executive and at the same time giving all the support
I can to the new Managers."
Simon
and Ben will be giving their thoughts on their jobs
at a Forum at Leylands Park this Thursday ... see news
item #018.
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Chairman's
Statement
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Last
season was one of the most successful we have had at Burgess
Hill Town for a long time, with the First Team challenging
throughout the season for a play-off place and the Youth Team
doing so well to win the Ryman Youth League South-East Division
and the County Cup. Much credit for this must go to the managers,
Gary Croydon in respect of the First Team and Ashley Carr
and his team for the youth set up.
I
am happy to say that Ashley and his team are going to continue
building on what they have already achieved with the youth
set up and we are optimistic that they will again do well
this season.
At
First Team level I am very pleased to have recruited Simon
Rowland and Ben White to take on the task of re-building a
squad capable of challenging in the Ryman League. We initially
appointed Simon and Ben to assist our manager Gary Croydon,
but it has been decided that to allow Simon and Ben fully
to express themselves, they should in fact be given a completely
free hand with the First Team and Gary has therefore stepped
down from his involvement in the football management side
of the Club. Gary will however continue as Chief Executive
dealing with the extremely extensive and onerous administrative
tasks that are a necessary part of running a professional
football club. Gary has worked tirelessly to get Burgess Hill
Town Football Club where it is today and without his efforts
the Club would still be languishing in the County League and
I know he will go on putting in the hours necessary to keep
the Club functioning at its new level.
Simon
and Ben do have a difficult task ahead of them. In accordance
with our policy of giving the Youth Team players a chance
to progress their careers, we will be fielding a young side
this season, but backed up with the substantial experience
of Leo Day and Russell Eldridge. We recognize that it will
not be easy and look forward to our supporters giving the
team 110% support as the new management beds in.
Kevin Newell
Chairman
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Pictures
from Pagham friendly match
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Update
from Assistant Manager
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"I
have been really encouraged as to what I have seen in pre-season
so far. No matter what level of football you are at, implementing
a new pattern of play within a pre-season is difficult but
the players are very responsive and we are making great progress.
We have been a little hindered with absences through holidays
etc but as we start to get people back things will continue
to get better. We are still looking to add in certain areas
and over the coming weeks we will hopefully be introducing
some new faces.
One
of the biggest pluses for Ben White and I has been the quality
we have inherited with some of the youth players and for me
that is a great reflection on Ashley and Tony’s hard
work. We have also signed some fantastic young talent and
obviously given a little time for them to adapt to their new
playing environments we will see us continue to move in the
right direction and I for one am looking forward to the coming
season."
Simon
Rowland, Assistant Manager ... 25July2011
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Pre-season
runout at Peacehaven
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Last
Friday the Hillians visited County League Peacehaven FC, partly
as a pre-season friendly and partly to celebrate the opening
of their new stand. Peacehaven are a club with a mighty history
in local football and will always be tough opposition.
(this
website reporter was away and missed the game) ...but heard
that ... Russell Eldridge equalised for the Hillians to leave
the score at 1-1 at half time. Hill finished stronger and
Freddy Barker was clean through twice and should have won
good game.
Comment
on the game from Assistant Manager Simon Rowland will be added
here soon.
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Two
successfull Captains sign
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Two
League winning Youth Team Captains signed on for Burgess Hill
Town FC today.
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TOM
STILLWELL, defender and Captain of last year's Burgess Hill's
under 18s who won the Ryman Youth League SE Division and also
won the Sussex County Youth Cup.
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BRADLEY
MURRAY, midfielder and Captain of Staines Town FC's under
18s who won their SW region of the Ryman Youth League.
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Both
of these winning Captains have signed for the season at Leylands
Park, after impressing in last Sunday's friendly against Brighton
& Hove Albion FC. Both players are pictured above in action
from that match.
Manager
Gary Croydon said after signing the players: "I'm pleased
to sign these exciting young prospects, both have good futures
here at Burgess Hill"
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Bumper
crowd at Leylands Park to see 'The Albion'
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In
hot sunshine, broken only by the shortest of showers the Hillians
entertained the players, staff and supporters of Brighton &
Hove Albion FC. With the Abion soon to move into their new stadium,
as League 1 Champions, and the expected debut of several new
and expensive players - the interest in this game was high.
The official attendance was 1239, and some of the game was shown
on SkyNews.
The
Seagull enjoyed much possession and the almost new Hill defence
will be quite encouraged by their display ......... Andy Naylor
of The Argus, reports on the match like this .......
"Albion
cruised to a 3-0 win over Burgess Hill in their opening first
team friendly at Leylands Park. Gus
Poyet gave 45 minute run-outs to each of his four new signings:
£2.5 million Craig Mackail-Smith, Will Hoskins, Will Buckley
and Dutchman Roland Bergkamp. Hoskins
was on the scoresheet, along with Ashley Barnes and Craig Noone
(penalty).
Poyet
utilised his squad to the full, fielding two different elevens
in each half. Barnes drove Albion ahead in the 25th minute with
an angled left-foot finish. Bergkamp and Will Buckley both went
close to marking their debuts with goals in the opening 45 minutes.
Bergkamp
nearly converted a Marcos Painter cross early on, while Buckley's
rising shot was destined for the top corner when Hillians keeper
Callum Christie produced a fingertip save. Trialist
Curtis Osano featured in the first half at right-back. The
Kenyan-born 24-year-old has been at Rushden and Diamonds after
beginning his career at Reading.
Christie
embarked on a one-man mission to foil the Seagulls after the
break. He made smart saves from Mackail-Smith, Hoskins and Noone.
But Christie was helpless in the 68th minute when the lively
Noone was brought down just inside the box by Russell Eldridge
and picked himself up to send the keeper the wrong way from
the resulting penalty. Hoskins made it 3-0 with a low 20-yard
drive nine minutes from time which Christie's replacement Tom
Betts should have saved."
Burgess
Hill Town : Callum Christie, Neil Watts, Lloyd Cotton, Russell
Eldridge, Tom Stillwell, Leo Day, Markus COllier, Bradley Murray,
Freddy Barker, Ollie Lockyer, Joel Allright, Matt Percival,
Kit Tregear, Zac Mceniry, Matt McLean, Anal McMinigal, James
Rhodes, Dan Pollard, Tom Betts, Eugene Ford
Albion
first half (4-1-3-2): Brezovan; Osamo, Greer, Cook, Painter;
Navarro; Buckley, Sparrow, Dicker; Bergkamp, Barnes.
Albion
second half (4-1-3-2): Ankergren; Calderon, Dunk, Hall, Taricco;
Bridcutt; Smith, Kasim, Noone; Hoskins, Mackail-Smith.
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The
Chairman's Update & Press Release
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CHAIRMAN'S
UPDATE and PRESS RELEASE: July 2011.
After
another round of meetings I am able to up-date you on progress
of the plans for relocation of our football ground from Leylands
Park to the new site on the A2300 link road west of Burgess
Hill town centre.
On
Monday last, the Chief Executive Gary Croydon and I met with
representatives of Hurstpierpoint Parish Council to explain
the proposals we had submitted in connection with the Burgess
Hill Town Visioning Plan and to give an indication of what
our new facility will consist of. At the same time we were
able to hear the wishes and concerns of Hurstpierpoint Parish
Council, in whose administrative area the new site lies.
Subsequently
I met with landowners and developers Glenbeigh Limited and
representatives of Burgess Hill Town Council where we considered
the scheme in the light of the objectives which Burgess Hill
Town Council are seeking to achieve as outlined in the draft
Visioning Plan, which is shortly to be considered in detail
by the Town Council to approve its final format.
Our
next move is a round-table meeting with Burgess Hill Town
Council, Hurstpierpoint Parish Council and Mid Sussex District
Council, with a view to fleshing out the manner in which the
proposals can be pursued so as to become part of the Mid Sussex
District Council District Plan which that Council is aiming
to publish in the autumn of this year.
In
the meantime I am pleased to say that Mid Sussex District
Council has agreed to extend our lease of Leylands Park for
a further two years from the end of the current lease which
runs to April 2012. We hope that before we get through that
additional period our new ground will have become a reality.
Your
support in this scheme is much appreciated and any chance
you have to lobby your local Councilor on all or any of the
three Councils involved to encourage them to support the Football
Club would be a great help.
Kevin J. Newell
Chairman
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Add
one Australian Youth International ...
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23
year old Australian Joel Allwright (on the left in the adjacent
picture) is an attacking midfielder who has played for Para
Hills Knights and Adelaide United.
Knights
coach Robbie DiTroia said "The potential loss of Allwright
to an overseas club wasn't ideal for local soccer. He's one
of the best top-five youngsters I have seen at the local level,
he's got the right attitude and I'm surprised he's not with
an A-League club."
Joel
played all three matches for Australia in the 2005 FIFA U-17
World Championships in Peru.
In
2007 he headed for Scotland for trials at Premier League side
Dundee United and has now signed for Burgess Hill Town on
a one year deal.
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Oct
2009 National Youth League - Photo by James Knowler/Getty Images
AsiaPac
Manager
Gary Croydon : "Joel trained with us last year but missed
the transfer window in January so I am particularly pleased
to get him for the forthcoming season, fans can look forward
to seeing him and Lee Cooper at the game against Brighton."
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Lee
Cooper signs from League 2 Crawley Town
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19
year old Lee Cooper has signed for Burgess Hill Town FC on a
1 year contract, from Crawley Town.
Lee
spent his early years at the Wimbledon Academy until their move
to Milton Keynes, he then spent 7 years at Brighton & Hove
Albion becoming a regular in the Reserve team.
He
is a pacey, strong defender who is comfortable with both feet.
Manager
Gary Croydon say:
"Supporters
can expect more signings of this type, i.e. promising young
players, as we see wholesale changes in the playing and backroom
staff for the coming season."
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£million
players coming to Leylands Park
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Football
League Division 1 Champions: Brighton & Hove Albion begin their
pre-season at Burgess Hill Town with a friendly on Sunday July 10th
ko 1pm ... and as the Championship newcomers announce the game and
it's ticketing ... it is revealed that this game will see the debuts
of £million signings Will Buckley and Will Hoskins.
See
the front page of this site for ticket details.
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Will
Buckley says he is aiming to excite the Albion supporters when
the Championship season kicks-off in August.
The
22-year-old winger broke Albion's transfer record following
his arrival from Watford, and he is looking forward to showing
his qualities.
He
told seagulls.co.uk, "I'm a player who likes to run at
defenders and go forward when I've got the ball."
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Albion
new boy Will Hoskins says he cannot wait to play for the Seagulls
in the Championship. The
25-year-old admits his heart was set on moving from Bristol
Rovers when he first became aware of Albion's interest earlier
in the season, and now the deal is complete, he is relishing
the chance to link up with the squad for the first time in June.
He
told seagulls.co.uk, "I'm really keen to get started and
I want the season to start now. I've got to wait for the summer
but I can't wait to meet up with the rest of the lads in pre-season
and crack on in the Championship.
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Ryman
League Dinner and Awards
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Pictures
from last Saturday's Ryman League Dinner and Awards night
at The Metropole Hotel in Brighton.
Before
the evening began in the main hall, the Youth team were gathered
together to receive their Club's awards after their most successful
season, and later met with Ryman boss Theo Paphitis and his
Chief Executive Officer Kypros Kyprianou ...
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Ben
White appointed as Coach
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Ben
White's appointment as an addition to Burgess Hill's coaching
staff was confirmed today.
29
year old Ben (son of BHA's Dean White) played professional
football with Gillingham between 1998 and 2003 and played
at Conference National level for Dover Athletic and Ebbsfleet
along with spells at Eastbourne Borough and Hastings United.
He
is a very ambitious young EUFA qualified coach with lots of
contacts in both the professional game and in the non-league
scene.
"I'm
looking forward to working with the Gary, Simon and Paul Rogers
at Burgess Hill. I think that Gary did a fantastic job last
year and the club was unlucky not to get into the play-offs.
I am also looking forward to working with Ashley Carr's successful
u18s team. It's important that clubs at this level bring through
youngsters into the first team and I've heard that 6 or 7
from this particular crop have got the potential of making
the jump into the first team. It's my job along with Paul
Rogers, Ashley Carr and the players themselves to make this
happen."
"Having
met with Gary and Simon last week and listening to Gary about
the clubs ambitions it's clear that the club are going in
the right direction and this was the main reason for me accepting
the position."
"I'm
extremely grateful to Gary and Simon for giving me this opportunity
and I can't wait to get started"
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Simon
says ...
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From
a recent call to Simon ...
"It
was a hard decision to leave to my old club, a very hard decision
but this is too good a chance to miss"
"The
is a lot of history here at Burgess Hill. Coming as an Assistant
first at the club and to learn how it's run properly -
to come and learn the ropes here is important to me."
"I'm
not a person to stand behind someone else for too long at
games."
"I
was looking forward to working with players like Danny Gainsford
and Steve Harper, but they've moved on ... and to a higher
level (nb. Harper to Metropolitan Police and Gainsford to
Leatherhead, both Ryman Premier sides), so we must just wish
them good luck and look to our future here. I know they've
given great service to Burgess Hill. Players of their calibre
will need to be replaced with quality."
"I
had many meetings with Gary Croydon and Ashley Carr before
I was appointed. The club is looking to move in a new direction
now. One focus will be the integration and development of
the youth players, who I watched a few times last season."
"I
will bring a different style of play - a different pattern
of play within the side, we'll be looking to keep the ball
better for longer periods during the game and to use the ball
more effectively .... the game has changed ... it's about
better ball retention."
"The
most sucessful sides and even non-league sides keep the ball
more now ... the game has changed over the last couple of
years."
"It'll
be a work-in-progress we won't just turn up and play differently,
but the youth will be coached in the same way and really it's
an exciting time for Burgess Hill"
"Ben
White (son of the Albion's Dean White) will hopefully soon
to be announced as another coach at Leylands Park. Paul Rogers
will continue his involvement too. Dean is currently taking
his badges with Leyton Orient, and is keen to come here."
"I'm
aware of the players coming through at this club, I watch
a lot of football at this level and above. I'm very knowledgeable
about players at this level"
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Sussex
FA day out Horse Racing
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Sussex
FA had a marquee at Fontwell Races and Burgess Hill Town had
a table, thanks to Youth Team parents and RICHARD
SOAN ROOFING for their generosity. It was also a chance
for some football chat amidst a little fun betting. Click above
and find out about the children's hospice.
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Club
get new Assistant Manager
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Beer
Festival is a success again
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2nd
Year of Beer Festival at the Club
Over
200 people enjoyed an excellent day at Burgess Hill Town FC
with the Hillians and Mooch Café Bar putting on the second
annual Beer Festival at the Club with assistance from BeerMatt.
There
was a great variety of ales from breweries including Dark Star,
Hepworths, Hammerpot, Filo, 1648, Rother Valley and Hammerpot
and the Plumpton College Wine went down very well. With a large
selection of ale nearly sold out it just shows how successful
the day was.
Joint
organizer of the event Dave Bradbury said “It was an excellent
day at the Club which was brilliantly attended and has proved
to be a huge success after the foundations were set last year.
I must thank Jon Ballantyne from Mooch Café Bar who helped
a lot in organizing this event”.
Once
again the footballing world came out and supported the event
with fans from Brighton, Lewes and even Kingstonian coming down
to sample the ales. The Live Music was superb from Pogs, Lomans
+ The Bandana Collection and Deacon and local butcher Kevin
Thorne supplied the meat for the BBQ which was thoroughly enjoyed
by all.
Mr
Bradbury further commented “After building on last years
success we will be looking forward to orgainising next years
event here at the Club”.
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