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Bloor Homes, Ote Park development
The Ryman Isthmian Football League
he Ryman Isthmian Football League
The Football Association Trophy
The Football Association Youth Cup
The Football Association Cup
The Football Association
The Sussex County Football Association
 
Season 2009 - 2010
 

Best league finishing position (so far)

 

Ryman Football League Division 1 South

Results : Season 2009/2010

date
HOME
AWAY
competition
f - a
scorers
att.
Sun 16 Aug09
Burgess Hill Town
Whitstable Town
RFL Div.1S
0-1
 
322
Tue 18 Aug09
Chatham Town
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
2-3
Curd, Hurley
115
Sat 22 Aug09
Chipstead
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
2-1
Harper, Skinner
52
Tue 25 Aug09
Burgess Hill Town
Walton & Hersham
RFL Div.1S
0-2
 
188

Sat 29 Aug09

Burgess Hill Town
Chipstead
FA Cup Prelim
2-3
Curd (2)
183
Mon 31 Aug09
Burgess Hill Town
Folkestone Invicta
RFL Div.1S
0-1
 
187
Sat 05 Sep09
Ramsgate
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
3-1
Gainsford(2), Curd
190
Sat 12 Sep09
Burgess Hill Town
Fleet Town
RFL Div.1S
3-2
Harper (3)
181
Sat 19 Sep09
Burgess Hill Town
Walton Casuals
RFL Div.1S
1-1
Hollick
220

Sat 3 Oct09

Burgess Hill Town

Dulwich Hamlet
FATrophy Pre
2-0
Curd, Skinner
173
Sat 10 Oct09
Burgess Hill Town
Corinthian-Casuals
RFL Div.1S
2-0
Barnard, Curd
264
Tue 13 Oct09
Whyteleafe
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
2-1
Berry, Skinner
95
Sun 18 Oct09
Cray Wanderers
Burgess Hill Town
FATrophy 1q
2-1
Cotton, Curd
149
Sat 24 Oct09
Leatherhead
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
0-2
 
158
Sat 31 Oct09
Farnborough
Burgess Hill Town
FATrophy 2q
2-5
Curd, Gainsford
584
Sat 07 Nov09
Burgess Hill Town
Godalming Town
RFL Div.1S
1-1
Edmonds
176
Tue 10 Nov09

Burgess Hill Town

Eastbourne Borough
Sx Senior Cup

1-4

Gainsford

196
Tue 17 Nov09
Leatherhead
Burgess Hill Town
Lge Cup 2Rnd
0-1
aet
58
Sat 21 Nov09
Burgess Hill Town
Ashford Town
RFL Div.1S
2-2
Curd, Cotton
144
Tue 24 Nov09
Dulwich Hamlet
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
2-0
Harper, Curd
103
Sat 28 Nov09
Folkestone Invicta
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
1-3
Lansdale
266
Sat 05 Dec09
Burgess Hill Town
Ramsgate
RFL Div.1S
1-2
Harper
169
Sat 12 Dec09
Burgess Hill Town
Metropolitan Police
RFL Div.1S
2-1
Harper(2)
176
Tue 15 Dec09
Horsham YMCA
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
1-1
Curd
114
Sat 26 Dec09
Burgess Hill Town
Worthing
RFL Div.1S
3-1
Piper, Harper, Curd
265
Tue 19 Jan10
Merstham FC
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
1-1
Curd
100
Sat 23 Jan10
Walton Casuals
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
2-2
Percival, Curd
87
Tue 26 Jan10
Worthing
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
4-1
og, Skinner,Berry,Percival
208
Tue 2 Feb10
Burgess Hill Town
Chatham Town
RFL Div.1S
2-1
Percival, Berry
115
Sat 06 Feb10
Corinthian-Casuals
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
1-3
Lansdale
93
Tue 9 Feb10
Burgess Hill Town
Whyteleafe
RFL Div.1S
0-0
 
101
Sat 13 Feb10
Burgess Hill Town
Leatherhead
RFL Div.1S
1-1
Berry
185
Sat 20 Feb10
Fleet Town
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
4-1
Berry(2), Harper, Curd
121
Sat 27 Feb10
Burgess Hill Town
Merstham
RFL Div.1S
1-1
Harper
167
Sat 06 Mar10
Croydon Athletic
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
0-2
 
136
Tue 9 Mar10
Sittingbourne
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
3-2
Berry, Cotton, Harper
106
Sat 13 Mar10
Burgess Hill Town
Dulwich Hamlet
RFL Div.1S
1-0
Harper
200
Sat 20 Mar10
Ashford Town
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
1-0
Berry
152

Wed 24 Mar10

Eastbourne Town
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
2-1
Harper(2)
163
Sat 27 Mar10
Burgess Hill Town
Chipstead
RFL Div.1S
3-1
Curd, Berry, Harper
164
Mon 05 Apr10
Burgess Hill Town
Eastbourne Town
RFL Div.1S
3-0
Curd, Berry, Patterson
190
Sat 10 Apr10
Walton & Hersham
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
0-1
 
80

Tue 13 Apr10

Burgess Hill Town
Croydon Athletic
RFL Div.1S
0-0
 
159
Thu 15 Apr10
Metropolitan Police
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
1-2
Harper
75
Sat 17 Apr10
Burgess Hill Town
Horsham YMCA
RFL Div.1S
4-0
Skinner 2, Cotton, Berry
201
Tue 20 Apr10
Whitstable Town
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
1-2
Cotton
96
Thu 22 Apr10
Burgess Hill Town
Sittingbourne
RFL Div.1S
1-0
Berry
135
Sat 24 Apr10
Godalming Town
Burgess Hill Town
RFL Div.1S
0-2
 
113
 

Squad & Staff

GARY CROYDON

GARY CROYDON

Manger

Fourth spell in charge. One of the most successful Managers at the club, winning the County title in 01/02, and a few cups, also reaching the 1/4 finals of the FA Vase and Final Qualifying Round of the FA Cup - both club best performances. Also a Director, who played a major part in getting the Club into the Southern League, and now the Isthmian League. (ex-Hillian)

ANDY GANDER

ANDY GANDER

Assistant Manager

Joined the Hillians in Season 2008/09 as Assistant Manager to Gary Croydon. Andy has previously managed Sussex County League sides Wealden, Lancing and Wick.

ASHLEY CARR

ASHLEY CARR

Assistant Manager

Club’s record goalscorer who also works with the Club's Under 16s side. A Hillians legend who is a Director of Burgess Hill Town FC. Ashley had made just over 400 appearances in a Burgess Hill Town shirt - a strong clever, ‘hold it up’ striker. One of the most respected players that this County has produced.

PAUL ROGERS

PAUL ROGERS

Club Coach

ex-Brighton & Hove Albion club captain Paul Rogers hung up his boots in 2003 after leading the Seagulls to the Division Three championship. Paul stayed on at the club in a commercial role.

Former Sheffield Utd and Wigan player joined Burgess Hill in June 2009 as Club Coach and will develop his role at the club.

BOB HITCHCOCK

BOB HITCHCOCK

Goalkeeping Coach

PAT GANNON

PAT GANNON

Goalkeeping Coach

KEVIN MOTTLEY

KEVIN MOTTLEY

Fitness Coach

ALAN LOFTHOUSE

ALAN LOFTHOUSE

Assistant Coach

JENNY GREENFIELD

JENNY GREENFIELD

Physio

JOE ADAMS

JOE ADAMS

Goalkeeper

CHRIS WINTERTON

CHRIS WINTERTON

Goalkeeper

DANNY GAINSFORD

DANNY GAINSFORD

Defender

TOM EDMONDS

TOM EDMONDS

Defender

TITUS PATERSON

TITUS PATERSON

Midfielder

WILL BERRY

WILL BERRY

Defender / Midfielder

MATT PIPER

MATT PIPER

Defender / Midfielder

RYAN WOOD

RYAN WOOD

Defender

LEO DAY

LEO DAY

Midfielder

LLOYD COTTON

LLOYD COTTON

Midfielder

JOHN LANSDALE

JOHN LANSDALE

Midfielder

MAX BARNARD

MAX BARNARD

Midfielder

MATT HURLEY

MATT HURLEY

Defender

LLOYD SKINNER

LLOYD SKINNER

Midfielder

BEN GREER

BEN GREER

Midfielder

JASON HOLLICK

JASON HOLLICK

Striker

STEVE HARPER

STEVE HARPER

Striker

PETER MARTIN

PETER MARTIN

Striker

DANNY CURD

DANNY CURD

Striker

MATT PERCIVAL

MATT PERCIVAL

Midfielder

JUSTIN GREGORY

JUSTIN GREGORY

Defender

BILLY FRANKS

BILLY FRANKS

Defender

BRADLEY DUKE

BRADLEY DUKE

Defender

 
 

The Story of Season 2009 - 2010 ...

#01 Composition of league #28 Point made Vs the Casuals #55 draw at Merstham
#02 Pre-Season friendlies #29 FA Trophy win v Dulwich #56 another draw away
#03 Callum to USA : new 'keeper #30 BHTFC Golf Day 23rd Oct 2009 #57 great win at Worthing
#04 Players re-signing/signing #31 3 solid points v the Casuals #58 hard fought home win
#05 ex-Abion Captain is Coach #32 First ever win at Whyteleafe #59 bad day in Tolworth
#06 New goalkeeping coach #33 The beat goes on - Trophy win #60 11 into 10 won't go
#07 Harper and Greer sign #34 More pictures from Cray #61 All-Star game for Haiti
#08 Manager interviewed #35 Farnborough next in Trophy #62 BHA Management visit
#09 FA Cup Draws #36 Manager interview #63 Tough home draw
#10 Re-signings and a signing #37 Golf Day pictures #64 A Quality showing
#11 Changes to pre-season games #38 Defeat to impressive Tanners #65 All-Star Haiti game
#12 Bar under new management #39 On our way to Farnborough #66 Another home draw
#13 First training session #40 Book the bar for Xmas #67 defeat at Croydon
#14 Training tough but fun #41 Good day out - but defeat #68 Ladies in County Final
#15 Round-Up: 3 friendlies #42 Another late concession #69 Terrific win away
#16 Friendly V Wealden #43 Hill host Conference guests #70 1 - 0 will do for 3 pts
#17 First match disappointment #44 Merstham game preview #71 another win away
#18 Defeat with the very last kick #45 That'll do for Cups thanks. #72 mascots at Dulwich game
#19 First win comes at Chipstead #46 Entertainment in the rain #73 win at Eastbourne Town
#20 Another home defeat #47 A win at Dulwich #74 3 goals and another 3pts
#21 Hill fish for equaliser Vs Chips #48 Folkestone report #75 it's getting interesting now
#22 Late goal sinks improved Hill #49 Sometimes it's hard ... #76 1 loss in 7 ... (and 3 in 20)
#23 1Sept ... Manager interviewed #50 Met. Police arrested #77 point taken
#24 away win at Ramsgate #51 This time we level it late #78 Met upset play-off hope
#25 Join the Fun Run #52 3pts in local derby #79 3 up inside 8 minutes
#26 Hillians in top half of table #53 catching up with signings #80 no luck at Whitstable
#27 Press Release: 3 news items #54 News after winter break! #81 double over Sittingbourne
#82 Finishing 7th in table is the best ever finish by the Club.
 

News ... #01

2nd June 2009

The Football Association have now confirmed the clubs that will be playing in the Ryman Football League in season 2009/10. The FA have said that in releasing the allocations, there could still be change, as there remain issues with a couple of clubs, not in the Ryman League, to be resolved. We say goodbye to Kingstonian, Cray Wanderers and Crowborough and welcome Horsham YMCA, Ramsgate and Chatham Town

Ashford Town

Dulwich Hamlet
Leatherhead
Walton & Hersham
Burgess Hill Town
Eastbourne Town
Merstham
Walton Casuals
Chatham Town (trans)
Fleet Town
Metropolitan Police
Whitstable Town
Chipstead
Folkestone Invicta
Ramsgate (R)
Whyteleafe
Corinthian-Casuals
Godalming Town
Sittingbourne
Worthing
Croydon Athletic
Horsham YMCA (P)
   
 

News ... #02

3rd June 2009

Pre-Season friendly games ...........

day
date
time
h/a
opponents
tuesday
28 July
7.45pm
away
Hastings FC
thursday
30 July
7.30pm
home
St. Francis Rangers FC
saturday
1 August
3pm
away
Lymington & New Milton FC
tuesday
4 August
7.30pm
home
Whitehawk FC
wednesday
5 August
7.30pm
away
Horley Town FC
saturday
8 August
3pm
home
Tooting & Mitcham FC
New Season 1st match Saturday 15th August
 

News ... #03

16th June 2009

Callum to USA : new 'keeper ..........

Manager Gary Croydon has moved swiftly to sign a new goalkeeper ... JOE ADAMS (age 22) has been signed from Ringmer FC (the same Adams that is in yesterday's Argus hitting runs galore for Glynde. This is a signing that Gary will admit to being "very pleased with".

Callum Christie will now start the new season in the USA. The ex-Charlton Athletic 'keeper has been offered a professional contract to play in America - an offer that Callum and Burgess Hill think is too good to refuse. In a short time at Leylands Park Callum quickly gained the respect of both fans and players. Good Luck Callum.

 

News ... #04

21st June 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC is pleased to announce the signing of the following players.

Last season's Player of the Season: Danny Gainsford

Previous Player of the Season: Lloyd Cotton

Signed on dual forms late last season : Leo Day

Signed on dual forms late last season: Toby Phillips

ex-Albion and ex-Hillian winger : Lloyd Skinner

1st Team Young Player of the Year: John Lansdale

Reserve Team Player of the Year: Nivaldo Preira (from Senegal)

More signing will be announced through the week.

 

News ... #05

21st June 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC is delighted to announce the addition to its staff of a new Club Coach ...

Paul Rogers

Paul Rogers

The ex-Brighton & Hove Albion club captain Paul Rogers has joined Burgess Hill Town as Coach to assist with first team match preparation and pre-season training. Paul hung up his boots in 2003 after leading the Seagulls to the Division Three championship, he then stayed on at the club in a commercial role.

The former Sheffield United and Wigan player joins Burgess Hill as Club Coach and will develop his role at the club.

 

 

News ... #06

24th June 2009

Today we welcome back to the Club

Pat Gannon

the popular and sucessful ex-Hillian keeper.

Now recovered from an awful knee injury, Pat returns as Goalkeeping Coach.

Pat will work with and help develop the 1st choice keeper Joe Adams.

 

News ... #07

25th June 2009

Two more signings announced today as the squad continues to take shape.

The club's leading scorer Steve Harper has cut a new two year deal to stay at the club.

Also signed up is Ben Greer who is the Youth Team Player of The Year.

With many changes at the Club and Manager Gary Croydon in full flow - there will be an interview posted here this Friday.

 

News ... #08

25th June 2009

CLICK for an interview with Club Manager Gary Croydon.

Peter Martin (right) the Albion Scholar on work experience with us last year has signed to play here this season.

 

News ... #09

3rd July 2009

A few days ago the FA made the Cup draws. Here are the games that concern us ....

Gary Croydon

(click HERE for the full draws)

FA CUP : Prelim Rnd : 29 Aug 2009
Burgess Hill Town v Chipstead

FA CUP : 1st Rnd qualifying : 12 Sept 2009
Burgess Hill Town or Chipstead v Dartford

FA TROPHY : Prelim Rnd : 3 Oct 2009
Burgess Hill Town v Dulwich Hamlet

FA TROPHY : 1st Rmd qual : 17 Oct 2009
Cray Wanderers v Burgess Hill Town or Dulwich Hamlet

FA YOUTH CUP : Prelim Rnd : w/c 7 Sept 2009
Carshalton Athletic v Burgess Hill Town

FA YOUTH CUP : 1st Qual Rnd : w/c 21 Sept 2009
Carshalton Athletic or Burgess Hill Town v Chertsey Town

FA YOUTH CUP : 2nd Rnd Qual : w/c 5 Oct 2009
Carshalton Athletic or Burgess Hill Town or Chertsey Town v Camberley Town or Shoreham

 

News ... #10

9th July 2009

Gary Croydon today announced the latest batch of players re-signing and a surprise new signing - Danny Curd from Mile Oak FC. Danny was last season's leading goalscorer in Sussex, scoring 38 league goals and 1 for the Sussex Representative side

Pictured below are Danny Curd and two players to welcome back from last season Matt Piper and Gavin Geddes, who have both signed new deals.

 

News ... #11

13th July 2009

A couple of changes to pre-season friendlies ...

On 4th August we now play Wealdon FC at home instead of Whitehawk as they are involved in a Cup game.

Additional fixture: Tuesday 11th August, home v Lindfield FC

There is a full list of pre-season fixtures on the front page.

 

News ... #12

15th July 2009

Dave Bradbury and Sharon Collins have taken over running the Social Club and Bar. See the new opening times below and come and welcome them on their OPENING DAY THIS SATURDAY - from 10am onwards.

 

News ... #13

17th July 2009
First training session ... some new faces ... a busy session ... some pictures by Peter Ladds (your new Programme Editor)
 

News ... #14

26th July 2009

Click the picture to find out what Lloyd & Leo find funny (the clue is - it's what the losers have to do)

Pictures from a long, hard and enjoyable training session (23/7) run by Club Coach Paul Rogers and fitness coach Kevin Mottley. In the 2nd and 6th picture ... welcome back Tom Edmonds. 3rd picture: back from Senegal is Nivaldo Preira.
 

News ... #15

2nd August 2009
First friendly of the new campaign away to Hastings of the Ryman Premier. A well taken 2nd half winner from Dan Turner seals a useful runout. The picture shows Jason Hollick and Ashley Carr. . . Squad: Adams, Piper, Wood, Berry, Edmonds, Day(c), Cotton, Martin, Curd, Skinner, Geddes - Subs: Hollick, Lansdale, Murray, Greer, Turner, Preira, Gannon, Carr (all used except Gannon)

Then home to County Div.1 side St. Francis Rangers, with a 2-1 win, goals from Danny Curd and Lloyd Skinner. Featured in the picture is Will Berry. . . Squad: Adams, Piper, Berry, Skinner, Edmonds, Phillips, Martin, Lansdale, Geddes, Turner, Curd Subs: Cotton, Day(c), Wood, Greer, Hollick, Murray, Preira.

Next a visit to Lymington & New Milton FC ending in a 2-2 draw. It rained for the full 90 minutes! . . . Squad: Betts, Piper, Wood, Phillps, Edmonds (c), Lansdale, Cotton, Berry, Curd, Skinner, Greer Subs: Preira, Hollick (scorers: Lansdale & Skinner)
 

News ... #16

5th August 2009

We 'entertain' Wealden from Sussex County Division 2 and it's nice to welcome back some old friends. They make themselves at home and go away winners by 2 goals to one. Good luck next season - I expect to see them do very well.

By the end of the game I think we were running things a lot more and did hit woodwork a good few times. We welcomed back Steve Harper and he scored too.

Squad: Adams, Piper, Berry, Edmonds, Gainsford, Day(c), Harper, Lansdale, Geddes, Skinner, Cotton Subs: Martin, Phillips, Wood, Carr, Curd

 

News ... #17

16th August 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC 0 - 1 Whitstable Town FC

Disappointed?Cheer up, try this SPOT THE BALL

One set-piece early goal against and plenty of untaken or cleared chances equals no points on the opening day. Long way to go ........ stick with it.

Report from Kentishfootball.co.uk

We rode our luck, admits heroic Fewell
Stephen McCartney reports from Leylands Park

  • HEROIC goalkeeper Kevin Fewell admitted he rode his luck during Whitstable Town's smash-and-grab raid at Burgess Hill Town - as the Oystermen got their campaign off to a winning start at Leylands Park today.
  • The 28-year-old Gravesend based stopper is now in his fourth season at Belmont Road, and he produced a man-of-the-match performance with a string of stunning saves to ensure Mark Munday got his managerial career off to a good start.
  • Whilst Fewell blocked everything that the Hillians’ threw at him during a one-sided game, when he was beaten team-mates Greg Smith and Alex Hossick were on the line to clear.
  • Munday handed debuts to right-back Smith (signed from Ashford Town), striker Stuart Vahid (Deal Town) and winger Dan Dolton (Ramsgate), and although midfielder Clint Gooding was serving the first of his three-match ban, it was Vahid that grabbed the points with a 20th minute header.
  • Resilient defending, Fewell’s heroics and lady luck ensured the battling Kent side came away with sunny Leylands Park on the front foot ahead of Wednesday’s home clash against big-spending Croydon Athletic, who trounced Ashford Town 7-0 yesterday.
  • “Everyone wanted to start the season with a win especially (after) scoring early on,” Fewell told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the raid. “Yes, we rode our luck, we admit that.”
  • Burgess Hill will be wondering how they lost this game. Steve Harper’s eighth minute header looped over after Jon Lansdale launched a long throw towards the near post beside the corner flag - and then left-back Will Berry cut in after a mazy run and rolled a right-footed drive across Fewell and thankfully past the far post.
  • Whitstable midfielder Hossick cracked a left-footed half-volley from 35-yards, which brought a comfortable save from Joe Adams.
  • Whitstable played their better football before the interval, and Gareth Cornhill whipped in an excellent free-kick from the inside left channel, which looked destined to end up in Adams’ arms at the near post.
  • But Vahid slid in from nowhere at the near post and beat Adams to the ball and could only loop the ball agonisingly over the bar from close in.
  • But Whitstable grabbed the hard-working victory by scoring the only goal of the game after 20 minutes.
  • Wide-man Dan Dolton whipped in a teasing free-kick with his left-foot from the inside right-channel and this was met by a glancing header from Vahid, which looped over Adams into the roof of the net.
  • Step forward Fewell. In the 29th minute a penetrating run straight down the middle from Lloyd Cotton presented Harper with a chance and his rasping angled right-footed drive was superbly tipped over by Fewell.
  • The goalkeeper was, however, beaten seven minutes later, following Burgess Hill’s sixth corner of the half.
  • Lansdale swung in the flag-kick from the right and this was met by a thumping header at the far post by giant central defender Danny Gainsford, but Smith’s spectacular bicycle kick hacked the ball off the line beside the near post.
  • Harper, who plays out wide on the right, was thwarted by Fewell at his near post on the stroke of half-time.
  • Fewell saved his best in the 51st minute, however, as Lansdale cracked a goal-bound right-footed drive from 35-yards, which Fewell’s fingertips ensured the lead was intact.
  • He rode his luck at times. An example of this was when Harper poked the ball straight at him from six-yards and later on Harper’s right-footed free-kick just yards outside the box glanced the wall before finding Fewell’s grateful hands.
  • Whitstable battled well but strikers Vahid and Dominic Elmes were not getting much change out of a Burgess Hill side that had made a double substitution and changed their formation from 4-4-2 to a desperate 4-2-1-3 late on.
  • As so what usually happens, defensive Whitstable almost grabbed a second against the run of play, with eleven minutes remaining.
  • Cornhill ballooned a long free-kick from midfield into the penalty area and substitute Dan Wisker rose high to plant a bullet header agonisingly against the crossbar. Had he headed down, the game would have been won!
  • Cotton was denied by an excellent goal-line clearance from Hossick and Harper really should have netted a deserved last-gasp leveller but he powered his header inches past the near post following a cross from the right.
  • And Fewell said: “That headed one, when it was easier to score, and he’ll say that as well! I’m happy with the performance to be fair. It was nice to keep a clean sheet, first game of the season.”
  • He added: “I think we played the better football. We got the goal, settled us down. Second half you know they’re going to come onto you, they’re 1-0 down at home and they threw a few bodies forward.
  • “We done the work, we got the goal so we just hung on.”
  • Speaking about the goal-line saving clearances, a grateful Fewell added: “I think you don’t normally get them for quite a while so two or three of the line today, but that’s what their there for on the post at set pieces!”
  • Munday was delighted that his side got their new campaign off with a win.
  • “Everyone performed well out there today,” Munday told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards. “There were lots of big performances.
  • “We knew what it was all about today,” he added. “It was about grinding out a result, being resilient, being still in the game, defending well and maybe taking our chances from set pieces.
  • “I thought first half we did ok against the wind. Second half they penned us in and Fewell’s made some great saves.
  • “Sam (Denly) and Dan Tanner at the heart of the defence were absolutely fantastic, along side Greg (Smith) and GS (Gary Sayer) and Jake Gess and Hossick in the midddle, who have all put in a massive shift today.
  • “Three points, all it is, are three points, but it’s a great start for us.”
  • Speaking about his tactics, which worked a treat, Munday, who played under former boss Marc Seager in midfield last season, said, “First games of the season are absolutely imperative to come here and get a result, irrelevant if you’re favourites for the league or whether you (escaped) relegation last year.
  • “It’s never going to be easy because when the pitches are good, everyone’s got everything to play for. We’re all on zero points, everyone puts in that extra shift. It was about today setting ourselves up to be tough to beat to defend and we’ve got a result because of that hard work.
  • Winning here didn’t come down to luck, insisted Munday, but careful planning.
  • “They were throwing bodies forward, we’ve stood firm, we stood resilient, we’ve been comfortable-ish,” he said.
  • “We had a couple clearances off the line, but I don’t put people on the post just to lean against having a rest. I put them on there for that job so that’s not luck. That’s planned.”

  • Burgess Hill Town: Joe Adams, Matt Piper, Will Berry, Toby Phillips, Danny Gainsford, Leo Day, Steve Harper, Lloyd Cotton, Danny Curd, Joe Lansdale (Peter Martin 71), Max Barnard (Matt Hurley 71).
    Subs: Lloyd Skinner, Jason Holwick, Mike Abbott.
  • Whitstable Town: Kevin Fewell, Greg Smith, Gary Sayer, Dan Tanner, Alex Hossick, Sam Denly, Gareth Cornhill (Ian Batten 83), Jake Gess (Tom Parker 66), Stuart Vahid (Dan Wisker 71), Dominic Elmes, Dan Dolton.
    Subs: Steven Lloyd, Dylan Mcvicar.

ART!

 

News ... #18

18th August 2009

Chatham Town FC 3 - 2 Burgess Hill Town FC

From the Mid Sussex Times

A goal with the last kick of the game at Chatham on Tuesday sent Burgess Hill to their second defeat in three days.
But the 3-2 reverse to a side beaten 3-0 at Godalming on Saturday failed to dent Hill manager Gary Croydon's confidence.
And his sense of humour was also still in place when he said: "There's a board meeting on September 9 and it's written large in my diary. I may have to give myself a severe talking to as chief executive."
Not that Croydon is playing down two bad results against distinctly mediocre opposition but he says: "It was cruel luck as we looked the only likely winners after coming from 2-0 down and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before results improve."
With a defeat in the opener, both teams were no doubt keen to make amends but in the early stages it was Chatham who were by far the more pumped up, winning two corners in the first three minutes and playing at a frenetic pace.
They finally went ahead on 23 minutes as No 9 Brendan Cass was left free and things looked bleak for Hillians when Justin Ascheri struck five minutes after the break.
The visitors needed a swift response and it came a minute later when a driving run and shot by Lloyd Cotton paved the way for the impressive Matt Hurley to score.
Steve Harper then brought a good save from Richard Stroud and suddenly Hillians were in the box seat, although it took one of many excellent tackles by Danny Gainsford to deny the hosts on 68 minutes.
The equaliser came four minutes later when Gainsford headed the ball on for Danny Curd to nod in his first goal for the club.
After that there was sustained Hillians pressure and they looked the only likely winners until three minutes into stoppage time when a bad bounce caught out Toby Phillips and Ascheri took full advantage.
Croydon said Tom Edmonds' international clearance should be through by the weekend and Gavin Geddes is also available after serving a two-match ban. Some kind of result at Chipstead is vital as the home side have picked up only one point in two matches.

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News ... #19

23rd August 2009

Chipstead FC 1 - 2 Burgess Hill Town FC

Lloyd Skinner & 'the bench'
Gavin Geddes
Tom Edmonds
Lloyd Cotton
Leo Day
Matt Hurley
Lloyd Cotton
Danny Curd
Joe Adams
1. Lloyd Cotton gets past ..
2. Lloyd Cotton .. shoots ...
3. Lloyd Skinner scores

On a sunny afternoon in Surrey on a pitch that looked lush and soft, and was even protected from the warm-ups, another engaging Hillians battle took place. The pitch did in fact hold up perfectly and this time out the Hillians were more vocal and urgent from the off. Chances came from the start with Lloyd Cotton, Steve Harper and Danny Curd all going at goal. Tom Edmonds returned from Germany and settled straight back in.

Good pressure continued from the away side, and the Hillians did seem more energized this time out and created more chances for themselves. Not that it was all one way, Hill Keeper Joe Adams needed to drop sharply a few times to deny Chipstead. Things nearly opened up when Lloyd Cotton headed powerfully just past the keeper's left post from Harper's corner. Then on 28 minutes it was a foul on Steve Harper which led to the same player sending the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to put Hill 0-1 up.

Chances continued ... Cotton volleyed over from the edge of the box ... Harper had a great chance which was very well saved ... a characteristic driving run from Cotton who got past defenders and shot across the goal for Lloyd Skinner to slide the ball home from the shortest of distances .... 0-2. There was still time for Skinner - on the edge of the box - to shoot powerfully, his shot brilliantly tipped over by the keeper flying to his left. Skinner headed the resultant corner powerfully just past the post.

In the 2nd half Chipstead came more into the game, from a corner Nathan Campbell (on at 1/2 time) hit the post with the ball rebounding to Scott Simpson who put it away for 1-2. With the opposition now more into the game Simpson has another shot just wide of Adam's goal. Matt Piper recovered from being 'cartwheeled' while mid-air to continue his good work. On 56 minutes Danny Curd glances a header backwards and just wide from a Will Berry long throw. Shortly after that Lloyd Skinner is played though on goal but his shot - although powerful - was easily blocked by the keeper. Chipstead search for an equalizer, and catch Hill asleep as ball is put across the box but the Chips no.8 shoots nearer the corner flag than the goal when it could have been easier to score.
65 minutes and Gavin Geddes gets his season started when he comes on for John Lansdale. Gavin looks as keen and works continually to hunt and link with the forward players. The Chips continue to get chances and on a few occasions Joe Adams has to scramble to collect the ball. On 78 minutes Max Barnard comes on for Lloyd Skinner. Hill continue to absorb pressure.

The last 2 minutes bringing only two incidents of note: a booking for the industrious Captain Leo Day and the appearance of Peter Martin on for Danny Curd.

Adams, Piper, Berry, Edmonds, Hurley, Lansdale, Skinner, Cotton, Day, Curd, Harper ... Martin/Geddes/Barnard/Gainsford/Phillips

 

News ... #20

26th August 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC 0 - 2 Walton & Hersham FC

Heads
going in ....
disallowed

No point in grizzling ... from The Mid Sussex Times

Injuries to skipper Leo Day and Steve Harper added to Hillians' misery after their third Ryman League loss in the first four matches.
But manager Gary Croydon refused to feel sorry for himself, saying: "There's no point in grizzling. We're not getting the rub at the moment and we were unlucky to lose but things will change.
"In the meantime, we've just got to keep grinding away to turns things round."
Day's knee injury looked fairly serious but Harper may recover more swiftly from his dead leg.
Former Albion player John Crumplin brought his Walton team to Leylands Park on Tuesday having drawn their first three matches and this looked all over a goalless stalemate until the 78th minute when Craig Dunne's nifty footwork created space for an excellent strike that prospered from a deflection to take it in off the underside of the bar.
Croydon admitted the second goal, scored by Rico Morris deep in stoppage time, was down to him as he had urged full back Matt Piper to take a chance by pushing up.
Sadly, this was largely a poor match between two distinctly mediocre outfits and one where apart from being unlucky to have a Danny Gainsford header ruled out on 24 minutes, Hillians only seriously threatened a goal in the closing minutes of each half.
Harper missed a clear volley on 37 minutes after the best bit of football of the first half. A good take and throw out by Joe Adams released Day and then excellent work by Danny Curd set up a gilt-edged chance.
Then late in the match Tom Edmonds volleyed over from close range and Lloyd Cotton had a superb volley well turned around by Steve Windguard.
To then concede a second goal was adding insult to injury but until Hillians can start getting more men in support of the admirable Curd, and Harper can rediscover his natural scoring flair, goals could be hard to come by.
This Saturday Chipstead, the only side Hill have beaten this season, visit Leylands Park in the FA Cup.
Hillians: Adams; Piper, Edmonds, Gainsford, Berry; Harper, Day, Cotton, Lansdale, Skinner; Curd. Subs: Phillips (Day, 70), Geddes (Skinner, 73), Martin (Harper, 82).
Middy Starman: Not awarded.

 

News ... #21

29th August 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC 2 - 3 Chipstead FC (FA Cup Preliminary Round)

Will Berry fires at goal
Matt Hurley .. nearly ..
Max Barnard congratulates
Another fine save
Lloyd Skinner
 
Danny Curd gets his 2nd
John Lansdale
Max on the run
Tom Edmonds
Matt Hurley
Another Hill effort

HILL FISH FOR EQUALISER AGAINST THE CHIPS

Burgess Hill at home in the Cup to a side they despatched 1-2 away from home only a week ago, saw their fortunes reversed.

Hill dominated the early stages and took a deserved lead, however Chipstead eponymously chipped away at the Hillians resolve and scored a deserved equaliser.

Barely moments into the 2nd half the Chips worked a good move down the left hand side and stunned Hill with a well taken equaliser.

Hill responded well and a magnificent move down the left involving Max Barnard who put the ball across saw the ever improving Danny Curd slot a superb equaliser from 12 yards for his second of the game.

All looked set for grandstand finish but Hill were caught napping from a rare Chipstead foray forward to slot past the helpless Adams.

Late inspired substitutions by Gary Croydon of Skinner for a tiring but worthy Lansdale, and the ever energetic and dangerous Martin for Geddes injected some pace and urgency for the last ten minutes as Hill threw evwerything forward, but the Chips held firm to go on to meet Dartford in the next round.


Hillians: Adams; Piper, Berry, Edmonds, Gainsford, Hurley, Lansdale, Cotton, Curd, Geddes, Barnard, Skinner, Phillips, Martin, Cooke, Greer

 

News ... #22

31st August 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC 0 - 1 Folkestone Invicta FC

Joe Adams collects
John Lansdale goes close
Lloyd Skinner on the move
Lloyd Cotton in action
Will Berry crosses
Toby Phillips getting instructions from the bench
Lloyd Cotton - eye on the ball
Danny Curd hard at work
Peter Martin in action
Toby Phillips clears
Lloyd Cotton wants the ball
Captain Tom Edmonds

92nd MINUTE GOAL SINKS A MUCH IMPROVED BURGESS HILL

Folkestone came out playing neat quick football but found the Hillians to be resolute in defence.

Burgess Hill played Gainsford, Edmonds and Hurley as three centre backs, but Folkestone were stretching the home side down the flanks. However the best chance of the first 15 minutes fell to the Hillians as Gainsford headed a Lansdale corner over the bar.

The stalemate was nearly broken on 40 minutes as the Hillians pressed: a long Folkestone clearance split the home defence but the Folkestone no.10 Jon Driscoll hooked the ball over the bar. Minutes later Martin shot from the edge of the box but his shot was collected easily by the away keeper.

The second half had a similar pattern to the first, but with Burgess Hill coming more into the game and enjoying more territory. It was Folkestone who fashioned the first chance of note on 50 minutes when no.8 Michael Yianni fired wide of the post. Shortly afer Lloyd Cotton shot over the bar.

On 57 minutes a good move by Folkestone who put some neat passes together only to shoot wide of Adams left post.

Peter Martin was substituted by Toby Phillips on 60 minutes.

Folkestone now defending for the longest period so far conceded a corner from which Gainsford hooked the ball over from 18 yards.

With Folkestone lacking firepower up front and sometimes having the better of the midfield the game still continued to see action all over the pitch. In the high temperature and on a hard and bouncy picth both sides looked to profit from mistakes.

On 83 minutes Folkestone released down the left and drew a good save from Adams.

After a good move and run down the left, ex-Hillian Darren Smith brought a great save out of Adams, but the parried shot fell to Yianni who forced the ball into the net on about 90+2 (of the +3 minutes) played !!!

A desolate Hill warmed down and trudged off ...... and were generously applauded for an improved and committed display.

Hillians: Adams; Piper, Berry, Edmonds, Gainsford, Hurley, Lansdale, Cotton, Curd, Martin, Skinner, Phillips, Abbott, Carr, Greer

 

News ... #23

1st September 2009
Joe Adams collects

Manager Gary Croydon interviewed

CLICK HERE to listen

 

News ... #24

5th September 2009

Ramsgate FC 1 - 3 Burgess Hill Town FC

It was a bit of a shock when Ramsgate, keeping the ball and playing it around on a beautifully flat seaside pitch took the lead as their centre forward latched on to a channel ball and slipped the ball under the advancing Adams.

A minute later Ramsgate almost doubled their lead with a glancing header from a corner and then Adams had to save low down to his left.

But then Hill got the slice of luck their persistence deserved as the ball ran out for a goal kick but Max Barnard, returning from illness, played on pulling the ball back to Gainsford who slotted the ball home from thee yards.

Hill took full advantage and pressed forward against the rather poor and out of sorts Ramsgate defence. A deep corner from Steve Harper on 28 minutes was headed back across the goal by Tom Edmonds and ably dispatched by Danny Gainsford for his second of the game.

Hill then settled but were rarely threatened as the heart went out of Ramsgate.

The teams changed ends and Ramsgate, with the wind at their backs, had the better of the opening exchanges but without seriously threatening the Hill goal.

Then, Ramsgate once again showed their frailty at the back as they failed to deal with a long throw from Will Berry which eventually fell to the grateful and fortunate Curd who placed the ball wide of the keeper with the simplest of finishes.

Ramsgate then pressed and for a while Hill's goal looked vulnerable and Manager Gary Croydon switched Max Barnard for John Lanadale on 65 minutes to give more solidity to the defence.

Hill were defending stoutly and on 67 minutes Joe Adams pulled off a good save low to his right and then tidied up well from the resulting corner. On 75 minutes Curd had the chance to seal the game when put through by another defensive lapse but he hit the post when 1 on 1 with the keeper.

Ramsgate continued to have the majority of the pressure but once again Hill fashioned the best chances as Skinner hooked the ball wide from 5 yards, Curd shot straight at the keeper and Harper's injury time effort was deflected wide.

There was no last minute comeback from Ramsgate who pressed to the end as Hill easily held firm and pocketed their second away Saturday win of the season.

 

News ... #25

8th September 2009

FUN RUN ...

YES - those two words can go together!

Burgess Hill Town FC is pleased to be supporting the Fun Run in aid of St Peters & St James Hospice.

We want as many participants from BHTFC as we can get.

Click the poster below for a printable version that you put in your home windows, your car windows ……

They helped look after Jim Thompson.

 

News ... #26

12th September 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC 3 - 2 Fleet Town FC

Protecting the keeper
it gets crowded early on
Captain Tom Edmonds
Danny Curd & Fleet bench
Matt Piper crosses from the line
Steve Harper meets it ... 1-0
celebrations
Steve Harper
lobs the keeper
2-0 celebrations
ART
Lloyd Skinner
Lloyd Cotton
Penalty against 2-1
Will Berry
free kick levitates the wall
Harper hat-trick 3-1
Kevin likes it!
The Hat-Trick boy
Matt Piper
Danny Curd classic shielding
sub on Jason Hollick

It's been a long time, and although ours was the only league game played today : The Hillians are in the top half of the table!

Fleet had the better of the first 10 minutes and a fine move down the left saw a good header fly just over the bar. This remained the story of the first quarter on a sun baked and dry pitch. Then on 27 minutes a vintage turn, run and shot from Steve Harper fizzed just wide of the Fleet keeper's left hand post and 3 minutes later John Lansdale went close with a shot from outside the box.

Hill were now starting to come into the game and were spending more time in the Fleet half. On 37 minutes however Fleet again worked the ball down their left flank and a goal bound shot drew an exceptional save from Joe Adams low down to his right. The Hill goal once again led a charmed life as a header was scrambled away on the 45 minute mark but both teams took a welcome respite from the heat and walked in at half time on level terms at 0 - 0.

Fleet took their time in coming out for the second half which kicked off a couple of minutes late. The first chance of the half fell to Fleet on 5 minutes with a long throw which was eventually mopped up by Adams. Fleet continued to have the better of the play and a fine flowing move from back to front threatened the Hill goal. Then, on 58 minutes Hill struck. Matt Piper got to the byline and managed to pull the ball back across goal for Steve Harper to bury a fine finish into the right corner of the Fleet goal.

Fleet struggled to regain composure and minutes later Lloyd Skinner sliced a threatening shot just over the upright. The force was now definitely with Hill and from another attack on 59 minutes Steve Harper finished with a looping lob over the keeper from 25 yards, catching the Fleet keeper heavy footed in no-man's land. Minutes later a fine header from Tom Edmonds from a Steve Harper corner was well saved by the Fleet keeper.

Hill were well on top and an impudent back heel from Danny Curd nearly put Skinner through on goal and shots in quick succession from Harper and Lansdale were desperately charged down and a Lloyd Cotton header from a Will Berry cross was well saved by the Fleet custodian. Then on 68 minutes a blinding run from the Fleet no.11 was uncremoniously ended by a clumsy Hill foul in the box and the stonewall penalty was duly dispatched by Smith, the Fleet no.10 to make the score 2 - 1.

The game was now pulsatingly moving from end to end and not 1 of the 181 spectators could have reasonably asked for their money back. On 75 minutes Lloyd Cotton tormented the Fleet defence with a mazy run and was brought down on the edge of the box but Harper's effort from the resulting fee kick was disappointingly wide.

On 80 minutes another finely struck goal bound effort from Cotton was charged down and as Fleet pressed they left themselves exposed at the back and Harper latched on to a through ball, drew the keeper and slipped the ball to the inside his right post for his third of the game on 82 minutes making the score 3 - 1.

Lansdale was substituted on 83 minutes by Jason Hollick and Fleet immediately scored to make the score 3 - 2 and set up a grandstand finish. A downward header from a corner flew just over Adam's bar as Fleet laid seige to Hill's goal and Adams was forced into world class saves with four minutes left. Three minutes of injury time had Hill supporters nerves on edge and a weary and cramped Piper was replaced by Toby Phillips with one minute to go.

But Hill held on for a well deserved victory and the supporters went home well satisfied with the feast of football served up by both teams ….. a credit to both.

 

News ... #27

20th September 2009

Press Release …. 3 NEWS ITEMS

A Winning Team!

Mark Robinson of Park Cameras, Gill Cronin Head of Fundraising at St Peter & St James Hospice, Kevin Newell Football Club Chairman , David Shore TIME 24 Managing Director, Carol Hughes of St Peter & St James Hospice, Peter Swann a Trustee at St Peter & St James Hospice, Steve Harper Football Club Captain, Gary Croydon Chief Executive of the Football Club
Burgess Hill Town Football Club are delighted to announce that they will be supporting St Peter & St James Hospice as their adopted charity. One of the reasons the club has decided to support the Hospice was because of the care that was given by St Peter & St James to Jim Thompson who sadly died last year.

Chief Executive Gary Croydon said: "We are very proud to publicly announce our support for St Peter & St James. Jim was a much loved figure at the Club and we've been inspired to give something back to the charity that helped him and his family so much in his last few months. We hope that all of the fans, players and officials will really get behind this so that we can raise as much money and publicity as possible for this fantastic cause."

Gill Cronin, Head of Fundraising at the Hospice in North Chailey said: "We're delighted that Burgess Hill Town Football Club have decided to support us and are looking forward to working in partnership with them. We have to raise £4,000 every single day and receive just 15% of our funding from the Government so every penny that the Club and its supporters raise really will make a positive difference to our patients and their loved ones."

The Ryman League side have kicked off their support for the Hospice by encouraging supporters and club officials to take part in the Hospice's sixth annual Fun Run or Walk which is taking place on Sunday 27th September.

2nd Decade of Sponsorship for Burgess Hill Town FC

TIME 24, main sponsors at Burgess Hill Town Football Club, have just extended their sponsorship in a 2nd decade.

Managing Director David Shore said he is well aware that his company, which are one of Europe's largest manufacturing specialists, are unlikely to gain many new customers out of the Hillians fans. But, he added, how important he believes it is to be involved with a large local sporting organisation like the Town's Football Club.

"I think the length of our relationship with the Club proves how important it is to us, remember that Time 24 employ many of our 600 staff locally. TIME 24 and it's employees will continue to enjoy our association with the Club."

New Top Tier Sponsor at Burgess Hill Town FC

Club Chairman Kevin Newell was also "delighted to introduce well known local photographic retailers Park Cameras as a top tier sponsor at the Mid-Sussex Football Club".

The Hillians Chairman added "Park Cameras have been keen supporters of Sussex sport throughout the years and it's great to see our relationship with them being developed."

Mark Robinson of Park Cameras said, at Leylands Park before today's game: "I am relocating to the Town and I intend to become a regular at the ground". Mark added "Park Cameras get the benefit of being able to support a really big entity within the Town, our staff are sports fans!"

As is Company owner Reg Atkins, whose daughter Caroline Atkins is a key member of the England - all conquering - Ladies Cricket Team."

 

News ... #28

20th September 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC 1 - 1 Walton Casuals FC

On a very hot day and on a very dry pitch, this was always going to be a tough game for any passing teams. Walton looked to be the biggest team we have seen this season at Leylands Park. It took 15mins before there was much goal mouth action when the Hillians won a corner, and from Steve Harper's kick Danny Gainsford was just beaten to the ball. On 20mins Walton put a hopeful ball into the box and was well punched out by keeper Joe Adams, the ball fell to Barima who took a whack from 30 yards and after 2 wicked deflections the ball rolled into an empty net 0-1.

Hillians were being pushed off the ball time after time with the 2 boys up front using there height and weight to their advantage. But on 32mins a great piece of skill from Harper put Danny Curd in on goal with only the keeper to beat, he lobbed him delightfully only to see the ball hit the post.

H/T 0-1 .... The second half started very brightly for the Hillians who looked a lot sharper and several half chances went stray. On the hour Hill boss Gary Croydon made a double substitution and on came Max Barnard and Jason Hollick. Both subs settled into the middle of the park very quickly as Walton began to look a bit tired.

On 69mins the subs paid dividends, it was Barnard wide on the left who passed a superb ball to Matt Piper who crossed the ball, a half clearance by the Casuals fell to Jason Hollick who vollied towards goal, the Walton keeper dived to his left and the ball bobbled into the net for the equaliser. After that it was all Burgess Hill with Steve Harper going close on a couple of occasions.

But that wasn't the end of the action, on 90mins a tackle in the box by Piper gave the referee no option but to give Walton a very tame penalty. Up stepped the very impressive Leon Yarnie to take it ..... but Joe Adams went the right way and pulled off a fine save.

Matt Hurley
Tom Edmonds
Will Berry
Danny Curd
Steve Harper
Max Barnard
Jason Hollick, a product of the Hillians Youth team, celebrates his first senior goal.
Joe Adams makes the crucial save ...
and gets Man of The Match from Sponsor Gill Cronin of St Peter & St James
The Real Men of The Match Award winners!
 

News ... #29

4th October 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC 2 - 0 Dulwich Hamlet FC

Click to see the line-ups
Hillians were back in action after a two-week break with a Trophy tie at home to fellow Ryman 1 club Dulwich.
With only one point separating the teams after eight games, a close contest was in prospect on a day better suited to football, despite a strong wind blowing.
A Sunday visit to Cray Wanderers was the prize on offer as home manager Gary Croydon made an attacking gesture by including exciting young winger Max Barnard.
After a fairly non-descript first five minutes, Hillians threatened from a couple of corners and a free kick, with from the latter big Danny Gainsford only inches away from making contact with Steve Harper's cross.
On eight minutes Hillians had a great chance to go ahead when Barnard was left clean through but his weak finish made it easy for keeper Kieron Thorp. From the resulting corner, Gainsford got in a looping header that Thorp gathered comfortably under the bar.

The hosts certainly looked the most likely scorers, with skipper Tom Edmonds getting in a towering header from another Harper corner. Danny Curd then forced another save from Thorp and from yet another corner Hill threatened. Unfortunately Will Berry was unable to convert Edmonds' firm knock back across goal. Just to prove Dulwich were not a completely redundant force, there was a half chance for Alex Tiessa but he got under a snatched shot from the edge of the box. With the wind behind them, however, it was the home side creating the clear chances and Curd pulled his effort well wide after indecision in the visiting back line.

Just before the half hour mark Dulwich enjoyed a decent spell and Tom Lyons forced a save from Joe Adams with a near post header from a cross by visiting skipper Junior Kadi.
On 37 minutes Rose got the better of both Matt Hurley and Edmonds but the shot was a good height for keeper Adams, who comfortably turned it over. Hillians chose a great time to go ahead, scoring five minutes before half time. Berry's header at the far post was turned in by a combination of a defender and Curd, with the home striker clearly claiming it and that confirmed by referee Ian Kavanagh at half time.
Celebrations after Danny Curd's goal
Steve Harper crosses for the 2nd goal
Both sides made a substitution at half time, with Hillians bringing on Jon Lansdale for Lloyd Cotton and Dulwich's Sanchez Ming replacing Jamie Cheeseman. Hillians increased their lead on 59 minutes when Harper did well on the right and his cross left Lloyd Skinner to apply a simple final touch.
Lloyd Skinner get the 2nd goal
Four minutes later it was almost game,set and match as Matt Piper's fierce drive was parried in the air by keeper Thorp and Curd set up Barnard for a volley that Thorp turned over. From the resulting corner, a good header by Edmonds was well saved and a minute later Thorp again did well to deny Curd although the home striker should not have given him the chance from a close range
header. Hillians were comfortably in charge of the game and Curd's last bit of action before being replaced by Jason Hollick on 70 minutes could have earned him a second goal. He did superbly to create the space for the shot but the finish was poor.
Debut for Max Miller
Later 15-year-old Max Miller came on for Lloyd Skinner and Hillians had to play the last four minutes with only 10 men when Steve Harper limped off.
4 minutes experience for Max
But though Dulwich tried to rally, they were easily held by a Hillians side clearly growing in confidence and keeping their first clean sheet of the season. That particularly pleased manager Croydon although he admitted afterwards that he was not too happy with the team at half time.
Lloyd Skinner
Tom Edmonds
Tom again
Max Barnard
Joe Adams
     
 

News ... #30

4th October 2009

Oh yes, another Golf Day ...... put a team together, or call Garry Newton and ask him to get you a game.

CLICK the letter below for a BOOKING FORM

 

News ... #31

10th October 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC 2 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals FC

The pitch at Burgess Hill had certainly benefitted from the midweek rain and a healthy crowd of 264, including some enthusiastic support from Oakmeads school basked in some late summer sunshine as the game kicked off with Hill attacking the "clubhouse end". On 5 minutes Hill fashioned a good chance when a long free kick from Lloyd Skinner was back headed across goal by Danny Gainsford but Danny Curd was unable to exert sufficient power on his header. Corinthians almost took advantage straight away as they worked the ball down to the Hill goal but their no 7 went just wide with his diving header.

Then probably the best peice of football of the first half saw Lloyd Cotton play a great ball through the Casuals defence to Max Barnard and the young wingman cut inside and sent a fine curling right foot shot just inches from the corner of the goal.

The game settled down for the next 15 minutes with little incident until just before the half hour when Barnard was given space and time on the edge of the box and got in a good strike which the Casuals keeper dealt with well.

Max Barnard goes close early in the game.

On 34 minutes a Hill corner from Steve Harper found Danny Curd unmarked at the far post but his header was wide of the post. Casuals were certainly not bystanders and quickly went back down the other end and forced a corner after good work down the right. . . The last action of what proved to be an even first half belonged to the Casuals no 11 who in time added on fired a speculative volley wide from 20 yards.

The second half saw no discernible change in the pattern of the match as the two evenly matched teams sparred with one another without creating much to excite the crowd or their respective benches. The first chance of note on 10 minutes fell to Casuals but the strikers shot was comfortably dealt with by the assured Joe Adams. Hill then had a shot charged down but this action was the exception to the rule as the game became a war of attrition in midfield.

During this period the solid performances of Matt Hurley, Tom Edmonds and Danny Gainsford at the centre of Hill's defence stood out suggesting that Hill were unlikely to concede and so it was that just as the game was settling into a classic stalemate on 65 minutes Max Barnard, once again given space and time, albeit some 30 yards out, hit a well struck shot into the left hand corner of the goal leaving the Casuals keeper clutching at thin air for Hill to take a 1-0 lead.
Casuals failed to threaten until the 75th minute when a good header from a corner was mopped up by Adams and as if to put them in their place Hill immediately went down the other end and a fine effort from Will Berry which flew just over the bar was followed on 79 minutes by a header from Curd which nestled into the back of the Casuals net.

Fresh blood was introduced as John Lansdale replaced Lloyd Skinner and Peter Martin replaced Steve Harper and though Casuals pressed they were unable to breach the Hillians defence although they did fire just wide of Adams right post in stoppage time.

A good result and an assured performance from Hill gaining three good points as the campaign builds momentum.

an exceptional miss
Hill keeper in action
John Lansdale
Max 'Giggsy' Barnard !
The 'Brains Trust'
Matt Hurley in action
Shake: Captain Tom Edmonds
Club Coach Paul Rogers
Fitness Coach Kevin Mottley with fans
Finally, congratulations to Linesman Mark Parsons, 2 seasons ago the best referee in The Mid Sussex under 16s league (not an easy job), last season a referee in the Ryman Youth League and now at Leylands Park in Ryman Div.1.
 

News ... #32

10th October 2009

Whyteleafe FC 1 - 2 Burgess Hill Town FC

As the wintry weather set in, Burgess hill kicked off wearing their dark blue tops. Hill had the better of the early exchanges with John Lansdale firing high and wide on the 5 minute mark.

Whyteleafe were resorting to the long ball game but causing Hill few problems, the defensive mainstays of Danny Gainsford, Matt Hurley and Captain Tom Edmonds were once again solid, starting where they had left off on Saturday. . . On 20 minutes a sharp free kick from Whyteleafe number 8 stung the hands of Hill gloveman Joe Adams.

Then on 22 minutes a long Gainsford free kick fell to Will Berry on the edge of the box and he unleashed a fine curling shot across the keeper into the top left hand corner of the net for a goal of the highest class.

left: Will Berry . . . . .. . right: thats the ball under the crossbar!

Energetic Burgess Hill were now rampant and ..... against the run of play a long throw caught the Burgess Hill defence napping and the Whyteleafe number7 side-stepped the advancing Adams and coolly slotted into the far corner for an equaliser on 36 minutes.

That was how the half ended with Hill rueing a missed opportunity and a failure to make their territorial superiority show.

The best chance of the early exchanges of the second half fell to Hill who crafted a good move through midfield from left to right only for Lloyd Skinner to screw his shot wide from 15 yards. Berry then fired just wide as the Hillians resumed their domination of territory and possession, despite a rare Whyteleafe attack on 60 minutes which saw a vicious shot fly just wide of Adam's left upright.

A moment of true quality from Matt Piper (left) on 63 minutes saw him stride forward and unleash a tremendous shot which was scrambled over by the Whyteleafe keeper.

On 69 minutes Hill got their deserved breakthrough as their constant pressure told when the ball fell to Skinner (right celebrating) on the edge of the box and his low curling shot found the corner of the net with the keeper unsighted but well beaten.

Whyteleafe pressed in the closing stages but it was Hill who fashioned a great chance on 85 minutes but Danny Curd couldn't quite convert it.

Hill were pretty comfortable as the clock ticked down to full time and they held on easily to record their first ever win at the Leafe for three more points from a performance of real desire and commitment.

Stop it Max
Tom Edmonds / John Lansdale
goalmouth action
unbelievable
Matt Hurley
unused sub: Aaron Walsh
 

News ... #33

18th October 2009

Cray Wanderers FC 1 - 2 Burgess Hill Town FC

A pleasant autumnal Sunday afternoon saw the Hillians and their faithfull following travel over to Bromley, home to the 'Second Oldest Association Football Club in the World': Cray Wanderers FC (1860).

Danny Gainsford, Matt Hurley and Tom Edmonds

Cray (from the Ryman Premier) division, lined up against the Hill today in the first qualifying round of the FA trophy on a lush green flat pitch which is used to seeing the flowing football of Blue Square South Bromley and the reserve team of Championship outfit Crystal Palace.

Matt Hurley

Hopes were high as the same team which had steamrollered Whyteleafe the previous Tuesday started the game against a lively Cray outfit who then tested Joe Adams with a sharp shot following a corner on 4 minutes.

Cray settled down and got the better of the early midfield exchanges looking to release their strikers down the channels at every opportunity. Adams had to be at his very best to deny Cray's no.10 on 13 minutes with a fine one on one stop after a neat through ball from the Cray no 11 had split the Hillians defence.

Max Barnard
Lloyd Skinner goes very close

Hillians first real threat came on 19 minutes and followed a long ball over the top from Matt Hurley to Lloyd Skinner who cut in from the left, his right foot shot was only inches wide of the keeper's left hand post.

Only inches wide

A short spell of sustained Hill pressure followed but without any cutting edge and Cray established their edge and were looking the more likely as they continued to probe. Adams had to display a variety of assured cross taking techniques. A rare Cray defensive lapse on 32 minuters saw Lloyd Skinner presented with a good chance but again he shot just wide of the keeper's left post.

John Lansdale's free kick

A Hill attack on 40 minutes saw a free kick awarded on the edge of the box which was fired in by John Landale and which the keeper contrived to almost fumble into the goal.

A minute later Curd chased down a long through ball but his goalbound shot was well blocked by the Cray centre half. . . . With half time approaching Will Berry was booked, apparently for putting the ball into the net just after the whistle had blown and then in time added on hit a good shot on goal which flew just over the bar.

Danny Curd
One - Nil

The second half kicked off with Skinner shooting from just outside the box and shaving the post and Hill settled quickly and as they pressed Cray failed to clear a Lansdale throw and Lloyd Cotton blasted a shot which took a wicked deflection and ballooned over the keeper and nestled in the far corner of the net for a very nice goal to open the scoring on 49 minutes.

celebrations

A Hill corner on 56 minutes fell to Skinner on the edge of the box but his well struck shot was a couple of yards wide; Cray then went straight down the other end but failed to trouble Adams with a shot which was wide of his left hand post.

On 62 minutes Skinner had yet another chance as he lost his marker at the far post but his solid header from a long Berry cross was saved by the keeper.

A comedy of defensive errors from a long Adams clearance should have seen Hill double their lead on 66 minutes but Curd, Skinner and Lloyd Cotton in quick succession all failed to take advantage. Then it was Skinner (again) who latched on to another long ball and fired powerfully into the keeper's midrif. Cray went down the other end and should have done better but Adams saved well low down.

Jason Hollick replaced the tiring Barnard on 71 minutes and Hill roused their vocal support behind the Cray goal and continued to pump the ball to Skinner to good effect as the Cray keeper stayed busy.

And so it was that on 82 minutes that an overhit long through ball from Tom Edmonds saw the Cray keeper inexplicably hesitate and gift easy possession to Danny Curd in the box who then had plenty of time to set himself and he made no mistake , cooly dispatching his one on one to make it 2 - 0 to Hill.

On 89 minutes the admirable Skinner was replaced by Peter Martin who immediately injected some extra pace upfront.

But then on 90 minutes a rare lapse in Hill's defence saw them fail to deal with a cross and Tyrone Stirling powered the ball into the back of Adams net from 12 yards for what proved merely to be a belated consolation as the better team held on for the 5 added minutes for what, on reflection, was a well deserved 4th win on the trot and Burgess Hill are now unbeated in 7 games. A good win secured over more lofty Premier opponents.

Danny Curd celebrates
Tom Edmonds clears
Matt Piper
Will Berry on the move
just wide: Lloyd Skinner
busy Lloyd Skinner
New Club drummer
Joe Adams takes
Cray fans have fun with cameraman
 

News ... #34

19th October 2009

More pictures from yesterday's FA Trophy game against Cray Wanderers can be found at ...

http://www.simonroephotography.co.uk/Cray%20Wanderers%20vs%20Burgess%20Hill%20Town%20181009/

 

News ... #35

20th October 2009

Hillians handed tough draw in Trophy

Burgess Hill have been handed a tough draw in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

The Hillians will visit Southern League side Farnborough, managed by former Lewes boss Steven King, on Saturday October 31. Farnborough are currently second in the premier division and unbeaten after ten games.

Boro boss Steve King said he was content with the draw.

"I'm happy enough with a home draw and it will be a good game to watch," he said. "I know the manager Gary Croydon very well, and he likes to get his teams playing football, so it should be an entertaining game.

"They are going well in their league as well, and have shown in the last round that they are capable of beating a team from a higher level.

"They have a number of young players who were released by Brighton, so they will be a talented side and we will have to play well if we want to progress."

 

News ... #36

21st October 2009

Gary Croydon interviewed ... click to listen

 

News ... #37

23rd October 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC 7th Annual Golf Day

Pictures of the various Team and Individual winners. A great day out with mostly excellent weather and a good dinner afterwards. Later on auctions and raffles raised important funds for the Club who made a donation to the Club charity St Peter & St James Hospice.

There is word that we could possibly have another Golf Day at the end of the season.

(Sorry, once again, pictures taken indoors lack the quality of the match pictures - it may be necessary to read the manual)

 
 
 

News ... #38

24th October 2009

Leatherhead FC 2 - 0 Burgess Hill Town FC

It was a good day for football on a nice flat green pitch and in a beautiful setting. Hill were back in yellow for this game after two consecutive wins on the road in blue with the traveling faithful quietly optimistic given the recent run of good results stretching right back to the last minute defeat by top of the table Folkestone at the end of August . One change to the line up who had seen off Cray the previous weekend saw Steve Harper making a welcome return from injury, young Max Barnard dropping to the bench and Lloyd Skinner slotting back into midfield.

In what was an early sign of things to come the Tanners threatened just three minutes in when keeper Joe Adams mistimed a cross and Josh Smith headed just wide with the goal at his mercy. Adams totally redeemed himself within a minute with a fantastic save from the excellent Smith who had latched on to a fine through ball from the Tanners impressive 16 year old left back, Adam Goodwell. Hill's first real threat followed soon after when Harper showed great close control to wriggle through a series of challenges cutting in from the left along the goal line but couldn't get any real purchase on his shot which was dealt with by Bradshaw.

Generally the Tanners bossed the early exchanges with Lloyd Cotton and John Lansdale unable to assert authority in the centre of midfield - some hint as to why this might be was to follow later in the day when Cotton was substituted just after half time clearly suffering from some sort of illness.

Hill were gifted a chance on 20 minutes thanks to some uncharacteristically poor play by Bradshaw but Harper was disappointed to see his shot go wide of the post. As so often in football, Hill were left to rue the missed opportunity as just a minute later Leatherhead put together a series of great first time passes through midfield and, following two world class stops from Adams, the ball eventually fell to no 7, Michael Morgan, who crashed the ball in from the edge of the box. The goal bred confidence in the Tanners and two minutes later Adams had to make another superb save, this time from centre forward, Osuwu-Bekoe. It was clearly time for Hill to ride out the storm and regroup but they were undone by a piece of true brilliance from Tanners no 10, Tommy Hutchings, who took the ball on a right to left diagonal run slicing through the Hill defence and slotting the ball past the helpless Adams.

To their credit, Hill did not take this lying down and had two good efforts in succession but these were easily dealt with by keeper Bradshaw who had visibly grown in confidence and added assured handling to his excellent distribution. Lansdale was lucky not to see red for a clumsy challenge on Nyang on 35 minutes but then nearly caught the Tanners napping just before half time when his long punt forward was headed on by Harper to Danny Curd six yards out but he was flagged offside.

Hill came out for the second half unchanged and following an early chance for Nyang which was high wide and not particularly handsome Hill fashioned two good chances of their own - first on 50 minutes when Matt Piper charged down a clearance and saw the ball rocket goalwards only for it to be really well saved by Bradshaw low down to his left; then on 52 minutes when Will Berry nearly profited from a rare Bradshaw error. Thereafter the Tanners took control and Hutchings shot over Adams bar on 60 minutes and Matt Hurley had to resort to some clever defending at the risk of conceding a penalty to put Osuwu-Bekoe off his stroke when through on goal. Lansdale and Lloyd Skinner were generally in the wars in central midfield but Lansdale did get forward and force a good save from Bradshaw on 67 minutes, Harper too was finding it hard work and saw a good shot fly just wide of the post on 75 minutes ; then minutes later Lansdale unleashed a cracking shot which really deserved a goal but flew just wide of the upright

Hill's fans were unable to find their voice and rouse the team in the closing stages for it was to be the Tanners day as they judiciously used their substitutes to consolidate their position and Adams was forced into two more great saves from Hutchings and Smith; after Barnard had replaced the ailing Cotton on 50 minutes the only other change to the Hill line up was Jason Hollick replacing the injured Edmonds who suffered a nasty kick to the face on 90 minutes. As the game drew to a close Hill's day was summed up deep into injury time when Berry's superb first time effort flew over the bar.

From a neutral's perspective this was a good game to watch; both goalkeepers played superbly and Adams was Hill's man of the match by some distance. It saw Hill's recent run come to an end ... but that is what happens to runs and it was certainly no disgrace to lose to a Tanners team who were at the very top of their game.

 

News ... #39

30th October 2009

Gary Croydon: 'Let's go to Farnborough'

... click to listen to today's interview.

 

News ... #40

30th October 2009

 

News ... #41

31st October 2009

Farnborough FC 5 - 2 Burgess Hill Town FC

Although separated by only one level in the football pyramid there are notable differences between the two teams and the two Clubs. This website chap ate, drank and was tremendously well looked after before, during and after the game. See those windows at the top of the picture opposite ...... in there! Visiting a ground like this just renews the vigour to work towards improving our Club ..... I know lots of people are already doing that.

A day to remember
A long
lunch .... as the team
... prepare !
Chairman, Manager & Mascot
Club TV tower
Jason's name in lights
Another new stand
opposite main stand

As early as the first minute 'borough centre forward Bubb won his aerial battle with the valiant Tom Edmonds as the yellows (Hill were in blue today) crafted a move down the left flank with an ease and precision that could have had the visiting bench wondering what might be in store in the next 89 minutes. .For now though, the early silky move ended with a neat header by Ibe from Opiel's cross which was collected easily by Joe Adams. Hill then got going and settled manfully into their hard working pattern of play. Right from the start, it was clear that the pace of the game was going to be a little more than they are used to, but full credit, Hill were quite obviously, to a man, determined to win the right to compete.

Against a fine side there is, however, no room for error and on 10 minutes Will Berry slipped in midfield and lost his man who played in Bubb whose exquisite first touch both controlled the ball and took him past Joe Adams. Having done the hard part, he should and could have done better as his side footed shot hit the post.

And then on "lucky for some" 13 minutes Hill were simply transported to another dimension. Their hard work had gained a well deserved corner. This was taken by Steve Harper and after being only half cleared the ball fell back to him and he controlled the ball closed in on goal and in inimitable fashion, let fly with a thunderous shot from the edge of the box which was was well saved by Barnard in the Farnborough goal but in so doing he pushed it out to Lloyd Skinner on the right of the box. The Hillians effervescent no 10 instinctively hooked the ball back square across goal and Danny Curd, completely unmarked about six yards out, and in the very centre of the goal reinforced his reputation as the ace poacher and gratefully side footed the ball home.

Hill now had the merest whiff of a chance of winning and the home crowd grew frustrated and started to berate their own team, which in truth helped Hill more than it helped them. At this point maybe some of the more optimistic Hillians fans present, and it needs to be said that there was a good turnout yesterday from the faithful, were wondering whether Hill might be about to turn the clock back ten years and topple yet another mighty foe. But the cruel reality was that in their number 11, MacMahon, Farnborough possessed a truly class act. He was finding time and space to "pull the strings" in midfield. Playing alongside him, the number 10 MacDonald was equally frightening in another way; strong, quick and skillful with a powerful right peg he was proving himself alarmingly good at going past Hill players. On 19 minutes he went on a superb run which saw him cut in from Hill's right and release Ibe with a fine through ball. The striker's shot beat Joe Adams all ends up but thankfully cannoned off the Hill post and away to safety.

The most likely source of another Hill goal was going to be the set piece and within a minute Lloyd Cotton spooned a shot over from the edge of the box after a Steve Harper corner had, once again, only been half cleared by a Farnborough defence that looked like it was always likely to offer you the occasional chance.

Hill were looking to stretch the play down the flanks going forward but the players were having to maintain the highest concentration levels as Bubb and Ibe were proving a constant threat through the middle. A foul on Bubb saw MacDonald whip in a great cross from the resulting free kick which no 6 James Smith, and much to Hill's joy and the home crowd's growing frustration and displeasure , headed over from about six yards out when it looked easier to score. As they say at this point the writing was definitely on the wall for Hill, but when Price was substituted by Orlando Smith on 28 minutes there was a faint Hill hope that perhaps the Farnborough "second string" would be less proficient and here was a chance to dig in. These hopes proved groundless as the newly introduced Mr Smith took it upon himself to make excellent surging runs forward from midfield and increase the pressure on the Hillians.

But while there's life (and a 1-0 lead to boot) there's still hope and perhaps it would be Hill's day? In retrospect the resounding answer to this question came on 30 minutes. Jon Lansdale was struggling to get goal side of his man, and this time lost the deadly and tricky MacDonald. The midfield dynamo was away and slotted a fine through ball to Ibe who finished cooly to Joe Adams left. The 1-1 score line at this stage of the game was no less than Farnborough deserved . Contrary to the home crowd's considered "encouragement and support" they had in fact responded excellently and upped their game since going behind.

It was a day when, for Hill at least, defenders were likely to stand out and Matt Hurley was excellent and "comfortable" playing this level of opposition. He provided great support to Tom Edmonds and to Danny Gainsford, whose strength in the air and uncompromising approach were much in demand. There was also at this stage still life and hope in Hill going forward who, like the Empire, were trying to strike back. Lloyd Cotton's hooked a left foot strike wide of the goal on 34 minutes and two minutes later Danny Curd fashioned a chance but he also screwed his shot past the post. Then Hill failed to profit from some comedic and philanthropic defending by the Farnborough defence.

As the half drew to a close it was all Farnborough: Macdonald blasted a shot wide on 41 minutes; Orlando Smith then had a great run and shot on 42 minutes; some superb interplay between MacDonald and Bubb in midfield released MacMahon whose 20 yard strike flew only inches wide of Joe Adams' left post. The best chance of this period came on the stroke of half time came when Macmahon's corner deep to the far post was headed powerfully goalwards by defender James Smith. Joe Adams saved well and thankfully MacDonald blasted the rebound way over the bar.

Half time came and Hill took full advantage of the 15 minute respite and when they came out for the restart they started brightly, Jon Lansdale got forward and fed Matt Piper as he cut in from the right but the final ball to Curd was well intercepted by James Smith in his more familiar defensive duties. Lloyd Skinner was looking particularly lively for Hill and he remained so right through to the end. He seemed to be relishing his chance to play back at the sort of level he would have enjoyed when playing in Brighton's reserves a couple of years ago. He was also playing on a really excellent pitch allowing him to demonstrate his ability on the ball.
But, unfortunately for Hill, Farnborough took only a couple of minutes to get back into their footballing stride, and looked even more menacing than they had before the break. Orlando Smith's goal bound shot on 50 minutes was well blocked by Matt Hurley and on 52 minutes MacMahon pressed forward and his slightly deflected 20 yard shot flew past Adams to give Farnborough a 2-1 lead. The inevitable happened a couple of minutes later. Under pressure Ibe did really well to control and turn in the box. He squared the ball to no 16 Anthony Thomas (who had replaced the injured Bubb at half time) and he slotted the ball home.
Down but still not quite out Hill stuck resolutely to their task and nearly gained a sweet reward when Steve Harper picked up the ball and went to round the keeper on 59 minutes... but he had his ankles taken and was unable to keep his footing well enough to get sufficient purchase on his shot which was easily cleared off the line...perahps if it had gone in ... or if he had gone down for a penalty the story of the game could have been slightly different..?
A fourth goal for Farnborough come on 66 minutes. Some great work from Ibe again, who was voted Farnborough's man of the match, saw him make space in the Hillians box and pull the ball back, for the grateful Thomas, to fire home his second. Hill's day was summed up on 69 minutes when digging deep and showing great heart and resolve they got the ball forward and a great cross from the right presented Curd with a gilt edged chance from a great position just 5 yards out; but the Hillian's summer signing, who we must remind ourselves was playing in County 2 earlier this year, saw his glancing header go so narrowly wide of the post.

Farnborough drove the fifth and final nail into Hill's coffin two minutes later with great interplay through the midfield, once again involving MacMahon who slipped the ball to the ever eager Ibe who finished with aplomb for a thoroughly well deserved second goal. Hill's tired legs were obvious to see and there was finally respite for the exhausted Jon Lansdale when he was substituted by Max Barnard on 76 minutes. Jason Hollick came on a few minutes later for the stand out Matt Hurley. Then on 82 minutes , perhaps as a just reward for all their efforts, Hill scored again! A Skinner free kick saw the keeper lose the ball as he fell to the ground under a strong Danny Gainsford challenge who then gratefully picked up the pieces and side footed the ball home.

The final Hill substitution saw Peter Martin come on for Danny Curd on 85 minutes but the gallant survivors were now too tired to take any advantage of their fresh legged colleagues and were glad to draw the rest of the game and see it out at 2-5. This is the sort of game that Hill aspire to play more regularly in the future. Looked at in this light absolutely no harm and huge good was done today. On one level players, management and supporters have been given a fantastic day out...but that's over ... Tuesday it's Sittingbourne and the good habits picked up today will be on show then ..... see you there.

STEVE KING INTERVIEW

(here him nearly choke as I suggest "bit fortunate today?"

and finally, thanks to everyone at Farnborough for the hospitality. Great to be welcomed by Ray Bugg, the 'kit man' still with Steve King from his time at Lewes (Ray is a old pal and a closet Hillian !!)

.

THIS JUST IN .... "I'm just a supporter of Farnborough F.C.and would like to say a big thank you to the gentleman who said the very kind words about my clubs hospitality. This is the sort of thing that makes non league football such a joy and a pleasure. I wish you all at Burgess Hill Town Football Club the very best of luck for the season."
 

News ... #42

7th November 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC 1 - 1 Godalming Town FC

Hillians had far the better of the first half creating a hat full of chances with their energetic form continuing, but the half ended goalless. On 47 minutes Captain Tom Edmonds headed the home side into the lead and again more chances came and went. Both sides continued to complain to a referee who couldn't seem to please either team - at any time.

The home side will be more than disappointed at an equalising goal scored (yet again in arguable circumstances) in the last minute of 'time added on'. A delighted Godalming bench invade the pitch to celebrate a point that they could harldy have been expecting.

BURGESS HILL MANAGER GARY CROYDON IS INTERVIEWED ON HIS WAY OFF THE PITCH - LISTEN

report by Chris Francis

. . . Late blow for Hillians

Another last-gasp goal robbed Hillians of precious points in an entertaining clash with Godalming on Saturday when the only pity was that the referee's performance emerged as the main talking point.
Home boss Gary Croydon had an eyeball-to-eyeball exchange with Welling official Neil Baker in the opening minutes and the Godalming coach was dismissed from an equally irate visiting bench not long afterwards.
Croydon said afterwards: "I'm very disappointed. The referee had a very poor game today and both sides suffered. Everyone clearly saw a foul on Matt Piper before they scored their equaliser but the players should not have stopped. It's really cruel as that's about the third time we've conceded a late goal this season."

No mates for the ref yesterday

Max Barnard
Max Barnard

There was no doubt Hillians deserved victory against a Godalming side who arrived in third place but never got going against a home side who played some neat football once getting into their stride after about 15 minutes.

With John Lansdale in America, exciting young prospect Max Barnard was given a start and he impressed all afternoon with his excellent first touch and willingness to run at defenders.

Max again

Matt Piper lets fly

another near thing

It was Barnard who created the first chance and when Danny Curd's first touch was too heavy, Steve Harper stepped in the send a half volley ballooning over the bar. Gradually Hillians slipped into top gear and were playing some excellent football, without being able to apply the finish.

Danny Gainsford, Lloyd Cotton, Piper and Barnard all had efforts at goal before midway through the half another flowing move ended with Harper's angled drive rattling the crossbar and Lloyd Skinner putting the rebound wide.

Chances were coming in abundance up until half time and one sensed Hillians may have to pay for not taking any of them in a goalless first 45 minutes.

lots of chances

But though that proved the case eventually, things looked up when they scored less than three minutes into the second half. Godalming keeper Rodney Chiweshe could only paw away a Harper corner and when Barnard returned the ball back into the box, skipper Tom Edmonds scored with a near post header.
After that Hillians really should have put the game to bed. They had their chances, while at the other end the only moment of real concern came when Edmonds and Matt Hurley failed to deal with a long punt upfield and sub Richard Shittu was left unsuccessfully claiming a penalty after being bundled over.
Harper was having one of those frustrating days he would rather forget and even when he produced a stunning run to get clear, the final shot was deflected wide of the target.
That was at the start of stoppage time and four minutes had been played when Hillians conceded a corner which was not cleared before another visiting sub, Damian Matthews, turned the ball in to use his side's get-out-of-jail card where the monopoly had been with the hosts.
Football can be a cruel game but it provided entertaining viewing and it was only a pity Mr Baker gave such an inept performance in front of former Football League referee and top assessor Martin Bodenham.

Hillians: Adams; Piper, Edmonds, Hurley, Gainsford, Berry; Cotton, Harper, Skinner, Barnard; Curd. Subs: Avery, Hollick, Martin, Percival, Gannon.
Middy Starman: Skipper Edmonds had a finer second half and scored Hill's only goal but it goes to the exciting Max Barnard, who looks to have a bright future.
Bookings: Piper (BH, foul); Purdy, Paka & Sintim (Godalming, all verbal).

 

News ... #43

11th November 2009

Burgess Hill Town FC 1 - 4 Eastbourne Borough FC

On a foggy night for this Sussex Senior Cup fixture, which made player identification difficult at times, Hill were by no means overawed by a very strong Borough side containing ex-pros such as Gary Elphick and Paul Armstrong.

Although the better team won, the 4-1 scoreline flatters Borough somewhat, including as it does a fortuitous penalty and a goal with nearly the last kick deep into added time. It doesn't tell the story of a worthy effort from a Hill line up bereft of Hurley and Edmonds, that were still in with a shout with 10 minutes to go.

Indeed after Gainsford bundled the ball over the line for an equaliser to Simon Johnsons first half volley on 54 minutes Hill had stepped up a gear and threatened to make the game theirs only to be outdone by heavy legs and a supreme headed goal from Enver-Marum on 79 minutes, which swung the tie in Borough's favour.

Hill should take heart from this performance go into their next game against Mertsham in the League on Saturday full of confidence ..... see you there. ....................... (camera not a lot of use under lights!)

Hillians: Joe Adams, Matt Piper, Will Berry, Jason Hollick, Danny Gainsford, Rick Peacock, Steve Harper, Max Barnard, Danny Curd, Lloyd Skinner, Lloyd Cotton . . . Subs: Aaron Walsh, Ben Greer, Peter Martin, Ashley Carr, Pat Gannon

Eastbourne Borough FC:

Dan Knowles, Paul Armstrong, Ben Austin, Joe Benjamin, Matt Crabb, Gary Elphick, Liam Enver-Marum, Neil Jenkins, Simon Johnson, Marc Pullan, Simon Weatherstone

Subs: Jamie Taylor, James Fraser, Matt Smart,Andy Atkin, Ross Trelevan

 

News ... #44

13th November 2009

.

Burgess Hill Town FC 1 - 4 Eastbourne Borough FC

Hear Manager Gary Croydon's interview CLICK.

 

News ... #45

18th November 2009

Leatherhead FC 1 - 0 Burgess Hill Town FC (aet)

Hillians returned to the scene of their 2-0 defeat earlier this season and left as losers once again. But unlike the previous meeting, which had seen Tanner dominate, this was a game in which they had the upper hand and that they could, and perhaps should have had well won by half time. Instead they went down to a goal in the last minute of extra time.
Tanners keeper in fine form tonight.

The Tanners had started brightly and after 30 seconds Ken Terry skipped down the Hillians left flank but his shot was collected comfortably by Joe Adams. The game settled down and the teams seemed evenly matched with Hillians making the most of a fine playing surface and having the edge in terms of both possession and territory. After 10 minutes a great ball from Lloyd Skinner to Steve Harper in left midfield saw the striker turn and play a long raking cross field ball to Matt Piper who was racing down the right flank but unfortunately, his shot was well over the bar. This was the signal for a spell of Hillians pressure and some fine interplay between Piper and Berry released Cotton whose magnificent strike from 30 yards brought a fine save from the Tanners custodian Colin Harris. It was a sign of things to come as the Tanners keeper was to go to have an excellent game and be the main reason why Hillians left leafy Leatherhead disappointed.

Lloyd Skinner - very lively and with very quick feet - replaced late in the game.

The Hillians midfield and Max Barnard and Lloyd Skinner in particular were playing well. On 15 minutes Max Barnard got down the left and played Steve Harper in to a great position about 6 yards out but he was flagged offside. The Tanners were threatening , mainly on the counter, and on 19 minutes Terry nearly profited form such a move but saw his shot hit Joe Adams post and a minute later Dean had a shot which was easily collected by Hills keeper. From his long clearance Danny Curd found himself through on goal but failed to get his shot on target with only the keeper to beat.

A Steve Harper corner on 24 minutes saw Danny Gainsford back pedal and head across goal and present Will Berry with a sharp chance on the volley which unfortunately went well over the bar. Another Harper corner on the half hour saw the excellent Lloyd Cotton glance a header just wide of he post. In the last 10 minutes of the half the Tanners keeper was much the busier doing well to keep out two good strikes from Danny Curd from 30 yards, and a far post header from Danny Gainsford from a Steve Harper corner.

Danny Gainsford making the keeper work.

The second half was a more sedate affair with the only chance of the first 20 minutes being a speculative long range shot from Danny Curd which the keeper did well to push past the post. As the game settled into something of a stalemate it looked like it would either be won by a single goal or go all the way to penalties. Hill seemed to have settled for this when Lansdale replaced Skinner on 75 minutes after which they tended to sit back rather and invite pressure. The game was in its 83rd minute, though, before the Tanners created their first real chance of the half with a good move down the right but O'Shea's shot was easily saved by Joe Adams. Then with 3 minutes of normal time remaining Danny Curd cut through the middle of a tiring Tanners defence but his shot was well saved by Harris and so, with Hillians hanging on for the last couple of minutes, the game moved into extra time.

End of normal time.

The players were now clearly tired and the only notable chance of the first period saw Danny Curd get in a good header from a corner which was well saved, again, by Tanners gloveman, Harris. Peter Martin came on for Max Barnard just before the end of the first period of extra time in an effort to inject some energy into a tiring Hill who, by now, were no longer dominating territorially but looking to hit the Tanners on the break.

In a sign of what was to come, it was Tanners number 16, Greg Andrews, who had the first chance of note in the second period of extra time when he shot well over Adams bar from 12 yards out; and Danny Curd summed up the night for Hill when he managed to get through again on goal to force yet another great save from Harris.
Lloyd Cotton and Danny Curd.

And so it was the familiar tale of the last five minutes. Tanners pressed a tired Hill back and the yellows once again succumbed to a goal at the death when Andrews took advantage of some great work down the left to stab the ball over the line.

This, finally, ends Hill's interest in cup competitons for another year. The focus moves well and truly back to the league with a home tie against Ashford on Saturday. The team showed again tonight that they have the ability to compete and create chances to win more games than they lose; and if these chances can be taken, and the pressure and fitness maintained right through to the end of the game to avoid the misfortune of conceding last minute goals, then a concerted push for the play offs does not look out of the question.

 

News ... #46

21st November 2009

report by Chris Francis

HILLIANS dropped another two home points on Saturday but afterwards manager Gary Croydon vowed he is not going to stifle his team's exciting attacking flair.
In the past, Croydon has often felt it necessary to go tight at the back but with his current squad he does not feel that would be appropriate and is prepared to leak a few points if that is the price to pay... . . "I think we're playing some really exciting football and I don't want to change that by going to a flat back four" he said.
Like the previous league game at home, Hillians led only 1-0 after creating a hatful of chances in the first half but there were signs as half time approached that the lowly visitors were not just along for the ride and two goals in the first 11 minutes after the restart threatened to leave the hosts emptyhanded.
In the end, Croydon was pleased with the way his side upped the tempo again and could easily have snatched the winner after Lloyd Cotton put them back on terms.

Ashley Carr, the Hillians all time record scorer, watching the leaping Steve Harper who could make that position in club history his own. Also looking on is 1st team Captain Leo Day who is recovering from injury. ......... (below Matt Piper)

But in the dressing room he once again made the point that the tempo must be maintained for the whole 90 minutes. And out of ear shot of the players he then added: "I honestly think a team are in for a real hammering by us at some stage. We just need to get two or three clear and then I'm sure it'll happen."

They played some excellent stuff in the first half hour and it was 28 minutes before Ashford finally forced a direct save from home keeper Joe Adams.
Hillians had gone ahead inside the first two minutes when the gifted Max Barnard tried his luck and the ball deflected to Lloyd Skinner, whose angled effort was pawed up by Ashford keeper Darren Ibrahim to leave Danny Curd the easiest of nod-ins from on the goal-line. . After that Hillians could have put the game to bed, with Steve Harper denied by a miraculous and acrobatic clearance off the line by Ashford's outstanding skipper Lee Hockey on 14 minutes.
A minute later Curd opted to square the ball after being put through by Harper and then Skinner did well only to over hit his pass to Curd, who would have been one-on-one. Ibrahim looked a little suspect but Hillians were unable to cash in and the visitors might easily have been back on terms by the midway point.
They were grateful Nick Smith's first touch let him down and three minutes later the same player headed in from close range from a well worked corner routine but was given offside.
In stoppage time, Adams did well to gather a deflected shot by Ronnie Doland but was beaten twice early in the second half.
Four minutes in Ryan Briggs found the inside of the keeper's righthand post after the defence only half cleared a corner and seven minutes later Mitchell Sherwood looped a header over Adams after Matt Hurley and skipper Tom Edmonds failed to deal with a left wing cross.
Hillians eventually recovered from that double blow and deservedly drew level on 67 minutes when a good move featuring Barnard and Skinner ended with Cotton beating Ibrahim low to his right.
After that the hosts looked the more likely winners but Ashford also threatened. Twice in rapid succession Hillians had efforts cleared off the line, just moments after strong penalty claims for handball were turned down referee by Chris Phillips when a Cotton shot was blocked.

In addition, Curd probably should have done better with a couple of headers although at the other end it needed a timely interception by Danny Gainsford, who had an excellent second half, to deny the visitors. In the finish it was an entertaining match if not quite the result Hillians were looking for.

On the left Hill fans, who can always find something to sing about ... if you look closely, someone seems to be hinting that a player may have dived!

Hillians: Adams; Piper, Gainsford, Hurley, Edmonds; Berry, Harper, Cotton; Skinner, Curd, Barnard. Subs: Lansdale (Barnard, 73), Hollick, Greer, Carr, Gannon (not used).

Middy Starman: Plenty of candidates but it goes to big Danny Gainsford (right) for his outstanding second half performance (and, on the left it's Matt Hurley who we didn't award with his MOM for the Leatherhead game.

 

News ... #47

24th November 2009

Dulwich Hamlet FC 0 - 2 Burgess Hill Town FC

Neither website reporter nor snapper could get to the game !!! Sorry about that ... but you can hear Manager Gary Croydon's interview CLICK the day after.

AND - Here's a report from the Dulwich site ... their reporter is always worth a read ...

HAMLET HUMBLED BY HAPPY HILLIANS

Champion Hill, a theatre of football where once strutted the great players of the age, their entrances and exits to perform, paints a faded outline of that once great Palladium, a stage when upon extravaganza is replaced by farce played out for benefit of the sparse crowds of disgruntled patrons. A Winter's Tale for once proud Hamlet, biting winds and lashing rain sweeping across the arena, the chilling air numbing the senses and exacerbating he pain as once more Dulwich failed to raise the standard of victory on home territory. Much Ado About Nothing, a tragedy for the Hamlet's faithful followers.

Returning from their South Coast catastrophe, Dulwich must have hoped for some respite from current ails as their came face to face with a Burgess Hill side whose own season has been on a steady slide towards the lower reaches of the division since a Trophy tonking of the hosting Hamlet but fate had not dealt them a keen hand. Injuries and suspensions had forced more changes to Rose's first choice XI with Lewis Gonsalves, a pivotal part of defence serving out the first part of a double game suspension for misdemeanours committed in others' colours. Osa Obamwonyi came into to partner Dean Palmer at the back. Elsewhere the pack was reshuffled with Kalvin Morath-Gibbs moving into midfield, Sanchez Ming taking over the right back role and Nicolas Plumain converted into a winger where his electric performances was one of the few bright lights on an otherwise gloomy evening.

Visiting Hillians, arriving on the back of a dingdong draw with Ashford, started with the eleven that had ended that game, John Lansdale replacing Max Barnard as he had during that game.

Ill met by moonlight, proud Hamlet. Padding, prowling Dulwich, marauding like panthers in the gloom but failing to bare their teeth countered by an agricultural Hillian rearguard, as bulky as dray but blessed with the pace of a thoroughbred colt, or so it seemed, when set on the chase for the ball.

Quick reactions from Joe Adams denied Sol Pinnock after eight minutes as the custodian charged to the wedge of his area to batter down an attempted chip from the Dulwich number 9 after he'd been first to a lipped pass behind the defence. Four minutes later and Lloyd Skinner mugged Obamwonyi outside the Dulwich box, cutting a shot back across goal but straight into the awaiting arms of Phil Wilson. Battling Burgess Hill came within a fraction of an opener mere minutes later as Will Berry cantered through a welcoming defence to smack a low drive past the fingertips of Wilson as he dived right, the ball flicked against the upright. An easy task for Danny Curd to apply the coup-de-grace as the ball fell at his feet but he contrived to scoop the ball a country mile wide of the beckoning goal. An instant riposte for the Hamlet as Plumain powered forward to capture a bouncing bomb of a pass, cracking a fearsome angled strike against the wrong side of Adams' near post.

20 minutes and Dulwich threatened once more as Junior Kadi swung in an inviting free kick. Pinnock and Palmer attacked the ball in tandem, a flicked header skipping wide of the back stick. A half hour gone and a rapid break out of defence down the left saw Dean Carpenter fashion a deep crossfield pass to Kadi on the opposite flank. He dragged the ball back across to Pinnock lurking on the edge of the area but he found himself quickly closed down and there was no time to get off a telling strike.

Their muse in absentia, the Dulwich deficiencies seemed magnified; a shortness of pace, the dearth of confidence. For some the salad days are but memories. Kadi, for whom the autumn creeps nearer, clearly struggling with the after effects of Saturday's injury. The midfield surrendered and Burgess Hill gave a masterclass in the art of turning possession in a goal. Ping-Pong passes as the ball was carried through midfield and a stroke of the finisher's brushes to sign off the masterpiece from evergreen Steve Harper to take another goal closer to the club's all time leading scorer accolade.

With the roaring wind at their backs, Dulwich looked to exploit pacy forward play to battle their way back into the contest though they would have to do it without Kadi, forced to withdraw from the fray at the break. Yinka Salami cam on his stead, taking over the right back role from Ming, pushed forward into the van to add support to Pinnock, a lone striker throughout the first 45 minutes.

Burgess Hill defended belligerently, a fire in midfield stifling and scotching the machinations of Hamlet. A goliath named Gainsford, with his skyscraper size, manned the battlements, a willing corporal to his captain Tom Edmonds at his shoulder. Footsoldiers all, the Hillians were there when it mattered. Plumain, mercurial and elusive, had enough tricks to earn a life membership of the magic circle, his pull back finding Ming, only for a flurry of yellow-clad bodies to fall upon his shot. Ming once more in hot pursuit of a difficult ball dropping out of the foul ether hooked a smart shot back across goal from a tight angle only for Adams to fall upon as Pinnock waiting to scoop up the leftovers. The luckless Ming should have drawn Dulwich level midway through the half as he got free on the right but from an acute angle he chose the intricate option, his strike curling wide as he attempted to smash the ball through the keyhole betwixt Adams and his near post.

The baton passed to the next generation as Rose made way for another of his academy prodigies, Nyren Clunis, a sparky winger who trails goal machine Roy Odiaka in scoring charts but not by much. Youth unhindered by fear of failure the scampering youngster nearly marked his debut with success as he lashed a cross-shot in from the right flank, Adams' expert positioning denying him.

But, as Dulwich busied themselves about their concerns, Burgess Hill observed and studied. Raiding parties here and there tested but left empty handed. With infinite complacency Hamlet went to and fro about the pitch. Yet, across the gulf of midfield, intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic regarded Dulwich's goal with envious eyes. And slowly and surely drew their plans against us. And late, late in the second half came the great disillusionment. Six minutes remained, Dulwich's right flank crumpled and the ball was pulled back to Danny Curd waiting on the edge of the six yard box, unwatched by all but marked by none, the all-too-inevitable goal dispatched clinically into the bottom corner.

In interminable stoppage time Dulwich's injury woes deepened as Palmer succumbed to injury once more, Alex Tiesse thrown into the fray for the final few minutes as Dulwich pursued the lost cause as if hounds upon the fox. The replacement had the best of the few opportunities in the time that remained but Ming's swinging cross was too far ahead of him.

 
News ... #48
28th November 2009

Folkestone Invicta FC 3 - 1 Burgess Hill Town FC

Neither website reporter nor snapper could get to this game. So here's what the Middy had to say ...

Hillians go down at high-flying Folkestone

BURGESS Hill's quest to make it back-to-back away league wins came unstuck as they went down 3-1 at second-placed Folkestone Invicta on Saturday.

The hosts took the lead after 17 minutes when Hillians' stopper Joe Adams fumbled Chappell's low drive and it crept into the corner of the net.

Former Burgess Hill player Darren Smith doubled Folkestone's advantage on 27 minutes but the visitors grabbed a way back into the game before the break when Danny Curd was hauled down in the box and John Lonsdale converted the penalty.

Any chance of Hillians inflicting only a second defeat on their hosts was snuffed out on the hour when right back Paul Vincent scored at the far post and Folkestone saw out the three points comfortably.

Burgess Hill manager Gary Croydon said: "They are second in the league and only lost once all season so it was always going to be tough.

"It was a fair result, they were the better team.

"We are a bit up and down at the moment. We won well in the week at Dulwich Hamlet and we were hoping to get something away at Folkestone but they are a good team.

"I'm not unhappy with our form though at the moment."

FOLKESTONE INVICTA : Delo, Vincent, Burchell, Friend, Chappell, M. Everitt, Smith, Dickson, J. Everitt (Thompson 86 mins), Austin, Jackson (Williams 86 mins). Unused subs : King, Dix, Ridley.

BURGESS HILL TOWN : Adams, Piper (Greer 78 mins), Berry, Edmonds, Gainsford, Hurley, Lansdale, Cotton, Cued, Skinner, Percival (Barnard 67 mins). Unused subs: Hollick, Gannon

 

News ... #49

5th December 2009

Burgess Hill FC 1-2 Ramsgate FC

Sometimes it's hard to be a Hillian!

Missed chances cost Burgess Hill as they go down 2-1 at home to Ramsgate.

report by Chris Francis

Looking for their first league double, the game was wide open in the first 20 minutes with both sides creating clear chances in a spell that saw Max Barnard strike a post when clean through on goal.

Hillian tightened up at the back and began to get on top although the sides went in 0-0 at the break.

Danny Curd hit the side netting and Steve Harper had a powerful effort tipped over the bar, but Hill continued to miss chances and Ramsgate sucker punched with two goals in three minute to turn the game on its head.

Liam Quinn chested down a pass and fired a low volly past Joe Adams on 65 minutes and then some lightweight defending allowed substitute Tom Tsangarides to double the advantage minues later. Lloyd Skinner smashed in an instant response but The Rams comfortably hung onto their lead to gain revenge for the 3-1 reverse earlier in the season.

Steve Harper
 

News ... #50

12th December 2009

Burgess Hill FC 2 - 1 Metropolitan Police FC

Harper gets Hillians back on track

Steve Harper scored twice to get Burgess Hill back on the winning trail.

Harper took his tally to eight for the season with a brace in a 2-1 win at home to Met Police in Ryman division one south.

Delighted manager Gary Croydon said: “For a number of games we have been doing well attacking and not scoring and then looking vulnerable at the back because we are not scoring so I am delighted to get back to winning ways.

“The first half was a bit scrappy but we had all the chances that fell.”

Lloyd Cotton hit the crossbar in the first half before Harper broke the deadlock around the hour mark.

Met Police drew level when goalkeeper Joe Adams dropped the ball into his own net but Harper struck again ten minutes from time to seal the points.

 

News ... #51

12th December 2009

Horsham YMCA 1 - 1 Burgess Hill FC

For once it is the Hillians who score very late in the game and take a point at Horsham.
Plenty of ex-Hillians on view tonight ... Gavin Geddes, Luke Gedling, Neil Watts, Charlie Cook, Shaheen Sadough and Matt Geard .. can you spot them?
 

News ... #52

26th December 2009

Burgess Hill FC 3 - 1 Worthing FC

Boxing Day derby game with Worthing FC - with Santa in the crowd too.

3 quality goals - Matt Piper #1
Steve Harper scoring #2
Danny Curd #3

In fact it was a game of 4 quality goals for Hillians fans to enjoy at their Christmas derby victory.

Matt Piper is swamped after his long range slotted side foot effort was perfectly placed for the openner.

A strong bench, looking tense early in the game.

Matt Hurley unloads Ben Johnson (that's the wrong colour shirt Ben!

Joe Adams at work.
Steve Harper
Will Berry
Matt Piper
Captain, Justin Gregory
Danny Gainsford
Lloyd Cotton
Matt Percival
Lloyd Cotton
New signing Billy Franks
Lloyd Skinner
 
'Pipes' still enjoying his goal as the teams leave the pictch!
 
And Charlie Farmer, son of Hillians favourite Mick Farmer, who was at the game too.
 

News ... #53

28th December 2009
  • Lack of updates recently have meant that the new signings have missed out on a proper welcome (or welcome back) to the Club. So ... let's welcome ...
MATT PERCIVAL joins from Ringmer
Welcome back JUSTIN GREGORY after a spell away at Croydon Athletic FC
BILLY FRANKS signs from Bognor Regis Town FC
BRADLEY DUKE comes in from Croydon Athletic FC
 

News ... #54

16th January 2010
  • Weeks of snow have meant no football anywhere in the County as the rain falls today and the thaw really starts ....... some NEWS at last :-

  • New job at Hillians from THE MID SUSSEX TIMES

Soccer action may be on ice at the moment but Burgess Hill Town are keeping busy and this week announced a major new appointment.
One-time Lancing manager Steve Phythian (well known as Frank around the local circuit) has accepted the role of director of youth football development.

Hillians manager and chief executive Gary Croydon said: "We've been talking for a few months and Steve comes highly qualified to enhance and build our work in the community projects."

"We want him to start an under 16 team next season and he will be responsible for all youth development up to that age.
"We also hope to make another announcement in the coming months about forming links with a local junior club that will be part of our plans to form a football club offering a real service to the local community."

"That's the way they do it abroad. In Spain, for instance, if you were in Malaga you'd be able to join the club at a very young age and play for them right the way through to full professional level. That's the kind of thing we want to achieve at Burgess Hill."

Phythian, meanwhile, is delighted to be given the chance to implement such bold plans and has centred his interest on youth coaching after playing only a handful of senior games before then becoming a referee, coach and manager. He has worked with various Schools of Excellence as well Lewes youth and reserve teams, the Albion ladies teams, Dynamo Girls and Patcham United, where he is currently committed to coaching until the end of the season. But he hopes to organise trials for the new under 16 side in April and plans to 'build bridges into the local community.'

"I'd like to get into the schools and kick start things there although that will depend on staffing such ventures," he added.
The 54-year-old, who lives in Saltdean, always wanted to manage at a higher level than he played but after that spell at Lancing between 1997 and 1999, he has now focused his attention on coaching."

After Wednesday's fresh fall of heavy snow in Mid Sussex, football must again be in doubt at the weekend although Hill's senior squad did manage a full training session at Leylands Park on Tuesday. On Saturday coach Paul Rogers also organised a 12 kilometre run although only a couple of players managed to make that because of continuing travel problems.

First team captain Leo Day joined keeper Joe Adams on the run and along with striker Danny Curd, also recovering from injury, must be secretly pleased with the lack of action as it gives more time for recovery. Day did get in 40 minutes for Peacehaven the Saturday before last but now needs match practice to get back up to full fitness after being out for four months. He will probably need to get that in the County League before being fit enough for a Ryman return.

Croydon said: "I'm really pleased for Leo that he managed to get in 40 minutes and it was also good to have everyone at training on Tuesday. I was thinking about getting the players to clear the pitch on Thursday but there was nine inches of snow on it in places on Tuesday."

 

News ... #55

19th January 2010

Merstham FC 1 - 1 Burgess Hill Town FC

A vigorous, energetic and good quality performance earns a 0-1 lead early in the second half. Danny Curd firing home above.
But with about 10 minutes to go Merstham equalise to secure the draw.


MATCH REPORT FROM THE MID SUSSEX TIMES .... Late goal denies Hillians

A late goal at Merstham on Tuesday denied Burgess Hill a winning return to action but extended their unbeaten run to four matches and kept hopes high of a new year push for a play-off place.
The 1-1 draw looked like being even better when they took the lead after a poor first half in which both sides were distinctly rusty.
Six minutes after the break Lloyd Skinner swung over a corner from the right and when defender Matt Hurley helped it on, top scorer Danny Curd had a relatively simple job at the far post.
Manager Gary Croydon was relieved to have Curd available after a training injury, especially as Steve Harper was starting his three-match ban.
But being unable to train, Curd was tiring and that was why he was substituted by Leo Day 14 minutes from time. It was understandable Croydon wanted to close down the game but the ploy was undone five minutes later when home sub Paul Hunt grabbed the equaliser from close range.
There was still enough time for both sides to miss chances to seal victory although it was Hillians who had the major let-off when Craig Carley was wide from a one-on-one. But overall the visitors were well worth a point and for much of the second half looked all over the winners. "We should have gone two or three up and that would have settled it but though I'm disappointed, I'll never moan about a point away from home," said Croydon.
Hillians' best chances in that scrappy first half fell to Will Berry and John Lansdale and after the break they had plenty more. Just four minutes after the goal, great work by Lansdale and Skinner set up a hectic scramble in which Curd, Lloyd Cotton and Berry all had close range efforts blocked.
Almost immediately Billy Marshall went close at the other end but the visitors were in the ascendancy and Cotton missed a good heading chance before Lansdale was a hair's breadth from contacting with Curd's excellent cross.
Merstham had No 5 Craig Vernon stretchered off with what looked a bad ankle injury but they were particularly well served all night by his central defensive partner Tristian Frontin.
And they did have a few chances before their late equaliser. They failed to cash in when the ball ballooned in the air after skipper Wes Goggin had a 50-50 challenge with keeper Joe Adams, who then saved well from Marshall. Matt Piper also produced a vital interception.

Hillians: Adams; Piper, Hurley, Gainsford, Gregory; Lansdale, Cotton, Percival, Berry, Skinner, Curd. Subs: Day (Curd, 76), Carr, Hollick, Duke, Gannon (all unused).
Middy Starman: Plenty of candidates but Matt Percival did another selfless job in midfield.

Here's an interview with the Burgess Hill Manager after the game CLICK

Please let me know HERE about the video quality or even if you can't make it work for you.

 

News ... #56

24th January 2010

Walton Casuals FC 2 - 2 Burgess Hill Town FC

Spotlight on Matt Percival: scoring his first goal for the club on the left and going into the referee's book (for the right reasons) on the right.

Match report by WALTON CASUALS (via The NLN24.com site) - get in touch if you are interested in writing match reports for this site please.

Barima's late goal rescues point for Casuals

AN 88th minute goal by Michael Barima (ed. I made that about the 94th min) rescued the unlikeliest of points for Walton Casuals who had earlier gone two goals down against Burgess Hill Town who looked in complete control of this game, writes Stuart Roberts.

Midfielder Matt Percival opened the scoring for the visitors in the 16th minute with a run into the left side of the penalty area and a shot across Chico Ramos into the net.
Danny Curd then added a second in the 25th minute, finishing off a flowing move in which he was involved at the outset and was there to apply the finishing touch from Lloyd Skinner’s pass from the right flank.

Martin Grant gave Casuals some hope in the 47th minute when his chipped shot caught ‘keeper Joe Adams off his goal line for the striker’s 19th goal of the season.

After that, Chico Ramos pulled off some good saves whilst Barima was denied in the 69th minute when defender Matt Piper got back to clear off the line. Barima had the final word however with that late equaliser, getting in behind the Hillians’ defence from a long ball forward by Mark Walters and shooting low past Adams.

Two possible penalties late in the game.
CLICK the picture for an 'after match interview with Justin Gregory
The team started out the same as for the Merstham game with the exception of Leo Day replacing John Lansdale who sat on the bench along with new signing Titus Paterson (above)
 

News ... #57

26th January 2010

Worthing FC 1 - 4 Burgess Hill Town FC

Will Berry
Capt: Leo Day
Matt Percival
It's always a tussle with your local rivals, and Worthing who are used to spending their time at a higher level is always a game the Hillians fans look forward to. Going to the well appointed, but literally freezing cold Woodside Road ground isn't easy and I don't believe Burgess Hill had ever left there with all the points.

What happened tonight wasn't extra-ordinary to any supporter who has seen The Hillians form develop over this season, especially in the last few weeks. But having won the reverse fixture at Christmas, Hill could rightly expect a difficult time.

The first 20 minutes was the expected Worthing onslaught which was weathered, although not always comfortably. Worthing might and maybe should have taken the lead during this early period. But, just before half time, with the Hillians by now having fought their way into the game and starting to exert some pressure of their own, Worthing suffered a horror Own Goal, confusion in their defence leading to a strong back pass heading towards an empty goal, the keeper in an advanced position ... chasing it back and failing to get there by some margin. So, 0 - 1 at half time.

The second half saw Burgess Hill Town really take hold of the game, having fought hard and 'won the right to play' the crowd now enjoyed some quality football from The Hillians. A 10 minutes spell saw 3 goals .... first on 64 minutes Lloyd Skinner quickly latches onto a through ball ....

On 68 minutes Lloyd Cotton crosses for Will Berry to score ....

Then on 75 minutes a long range blast from Matt Percival hits the back of the net to make it 0 - 4.

Somewhere around this time Worthing were a little unlucky to have a player sent off. In the final minute Hillians concede a late goal, but for once the late concession doesn't matter .... to the scoreline that is.

 

News ... #58

2nd February 2010

Burgess Hill Town FC 2 - 1 Chatham Town FC

 

 

Match Report by Chris Francis of The Mid Sussex Times

BURGESS HILL football manager Gary Croydon has been urging his team of nice guys to show more steel and they did just that to grind out a 2-1 comeback win at home to a feisty Chatham side on Tuesday.

Despite going behind to a Justin Gregory own goal after only two minutes, Hillians showed their growing maturity against uncompromising opponents and that left Croydon in seventh heaven.

Justin Gregory

The home side moved above Chatham on goal difference as they stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Croydon said afterwards: "It certainly wasn’t pretty but I’m delighted because it’s games like this where we need to show plenty of steel to grind out the win. I’m particularly pleased to have skipper Leo Day back for games like this because he does a good job for me and keeps the players geed up.

"We played some really good stuff in the second half at Worthing and in the game before at Walton Casuals but you can’t expect that every match in testing conditions. This was a very gutsy performance and I couldn’t be more pleased that we have it in us."

Gregory’s early howler was not the only pain he suffered. It meant once again he would miss out on a bonus for helping to keep a clean sheet and twice in rapid succession he was left bruised by late challenges that earned bookings for John Wilfort and Raymond Powell.

Wilfort was later to earn a straight red for felling Day off the ball to spark a mass melee near the halfway line. Lloyd Cotton was also sent off for his part in the pushing and shoving that came after 67 minutes. Visiting keeper Dean Ruddy earned a yellow card for his part.

Matt Percival scored for the third successive match to put Hillians level on 17 minutes. A crunching challenge followed by a great ball by Day sent Lloyd Skinner up the left to show his pace and awareness in setting up Percival for a chance it looked as if his first touch may have squandered.

An error of judgement by Joe Adams saw his blushes spared by Matt Hurley’s goalline clearance and later the keeper atoned with a smart save when Powell earned a second chance after completely messing up his initial effort.

After a quiet first half, Will Berry forced a good save from Ruddy eight minutes after the break and then 10 minutes later scored the winner with a fairly simple finish when Matt Piper’s cross made it all the way across to the far post.

It would not be Hillians without a few late flutters but they were minimal and in stoppage time both the returning Steve Harper and Berry had efforts blocked.

Hillians: Adams; Piper, Hurley, Gainsford, Gregory; Cotton, Day, Percival, Berry; Skinner, Harper.Unused subs: Lansdale, Paterson, Duke, Franks, Winterton.

Middy Starman: It goes to the whole team for their steely show.

Celebrations after the equaliser

 

News ... #59

7th February 2010

Corinthian-Casuals FC 3 - 1 Burgess Hill Town FC

With the Hillians run of form and results, maybe the expectation was high today, but ...

As someone said to me after the match: "Well we won't will every game!"

People are fond of saying that Corinthian-Casuals used to be thought of as an 'easy touch' - please note the use of the 'past tense'. It certainly isn't true now.

'Keeper Chris Winterton, started his second spell with the Hillians and was greeted early in the game by an exceptional 25 yard shot that would have beaten any keeper who was more than 3 feet off his goal line!

Casuals old links with Brazilian football are well know, today there were Brazilian reporters, camera crew and supporters at the game. They made some good noise - unfortunately they had plenty to celebrate.

There were chances for the Hill at both ends of the pitch - a good save in the picture on the left and a terrific/reaction save at point blank range help Casuals to hold on.

A positive: We finish on top and on the attack.

No reason to write loads on this game ....... ROLL ON TUESDAY.

at 3-0 down, John Lansdale gets the Hill goal.

Just after the Hillians' goal, Captain Leo Day is carried off with a 5" long, deep gash in his shin, the tackle earning the Casuals player a 'straight red' to go with the yellow he got in the first half.

Returning only a few games ago, after an ankle injury, let's hope Leo is back playing again very soon.

Winterton, Piper, Gregory, Hurley, Gainsford, Day (c), Harper, Percival, Curd, Cotton, Berry subs: Lansdale, Franks, Duke, Patterson, Adams.

Lansdale on for Piper 70 mins / Duke on for Day 86 mins

 

News ... #60

9th February 2010
Burgess Hill Town FC 0 - 0 Whyteleafe FC

Asst. Manager Ashley Carr encourages from the sidelines.

A report on the game from the Whyteleafe point of view ......

....LEAFE struggled against an in-form Burgess Hill side but will be happy to come away from the game with a point as they didn’t have a single shot on target and had to play most of the second half with 10 men, writes Brian Davis.

The first half was a fairly dull affair with the hosts having the few chances that were created. In the eighth minute Danny Curd broke clear of the Leafe defence but Rob O’Hara was quickly out to smother his shot. Six minutes later, Hillians most dangerous player Will Berry shot wide from 25yards. Curd was through again in the 24th minute but shot wide and in the 32nd minute, O’Hara made a great save with his feet to deny Berry, turning the ball over the bar.

Leafe had no chances to speak of in the half, just a couple of crosses from Chris O’Flaherty that were comfotably dealt with by debutant keeper Chris Winterton. The second half started little better. Leo Day was booked for a late challenge on Darryl Coleman then in the 54th minute, O’Hara rushed out of goal to try and deal with a breakaway but handled the ball which left the referee little option but to send him off.

Ryan Royston, Leafe’s best defender up to that point, took over in goal and looked comfortable making a couple of crucial punched clearances and commanding his area well, but the hosts will be ruing the fact that their shooting was awful, failing to test Royston despite several clear chances.

The game became a bit niggly with one or two late challenges, and ex-Croydon Athletic player Bradley Duke was lucky to escape punishment for lashing out at Dan Aldous and shoving Leon McDowall into the fencing surrounding the pitch.

Berry was guilty of missing a sitter from three yards in the 65th minute, then he went close in the 72nd minute shooting just over the bar. Leafe’s most dangerous moment camein the 73rd minute when an O’Flaherty free-kick just eluded the head of Aldous and was headed over the bar to safety by defender Danny Gainsford. Leafe’s 10 men looked better than they had done with 11 and battled well to hold on for a hard earned point.

 

News ... #61

9th February 2010
Burgess Hill Town FC 0 - 0 Whyteleafe FC
Asst. Manager Ashley Carr encourages from the sidelines.
 

News ... #62

11th February 2010

Below some ot the players after training, giving Gus Poyet yet another 'photo opportunity' - a great sport - he stood for every picture - even after a very long day - Thanks!
Gus Poyet & 'Harty'
The bottom row of pictures are the 3 lucky Albion Raffle winners.
 

News ... #63

13th February 2010

Lloyd Cotton

Hillians boss Gary Croydon admitted how difficult it is in this division after his side were held to another home draw to make it just two points in three matches. It is hardly play-off form but there was little criticism he could level at his players in a game that was typical of its kind - rough, tough and uncompromising.

Croydon once again lamented his side's failure to hold on to a lead but that apart, a draw was a fair result and his view that Hillians were the only side trying to play some short, constructive football seemed a little harsh on Tanners, who probably had the better chances.

The home boss felt his side could have put the game to bed in the first half hour but by half time the visitors had gone close three times to breaking the deadlock.

And Leatherhead would have gone ahead from their first attack of the game had it not been for Lloyd Cotton getting back and doing just enough to divert Elliott Thompson's effort for a corner when a cross from right back Jon Coke cleared everyone.

Cotton had turned up to watch the game, thinking his three match ban had started and he was promptly sent home to get his gear and only arrived back at the ground half hour before kick off. But it did not affect his performance for after a couple of below-par displays, he was back to his all-action best.

It meant he was involved in most of Hillians' best chances although his finishing did let him down. His header was gathered comfortably under the bar by visiting keeper Colin Harris from a corner that was the least Steve Harper could have expected after being foiled at the near post when he looked set to open the scoring.

The hapless Cotton then failed to make the proper contact virtually on the line when an intelligent free kick had seen Matt Piper release Harper down the right and his excellent cross was just missed by Danny Curd at the near post. Then another Harper cross found its way into the middle but both Curd and Cotton were unable to make it count. With 33 minutes gone it was significant that the closest Hillians came to scoring was courtesy of visiting sub Michae Corbett. Stretching to intercept Curd's left-wing cross, the big defender deflected the ball on to the top of his own bar.

But if it seemed like one-way traffic, that was far from the case and in the last 10 minutes of the first half Mark Elston and Tommy Hutchings squandered good chances for Tanners either side of a far post header that Greg Andrews put against the bar.

Bookings early in the second half for Corbett and Hutchings highlighted the uncompromising nature of the match and while both were fully merited, it has to be stated that generally referee Shaun Scott's reading of the game was highly suspect and did little to earn the confidence of the players on both sides.

Justin Gregory cleared off the Hillians line and from the follow-up, Leatherhead were convinced the ball had crossed the line.
But a minute after that Jon Lansdale was introduced and played his part in lifting the home team's performance. Eight minutes later his long throw was flicked on by Danny Gainsford and in the melee that ensued, Will Berry finally turned swiftly to score from close range.

In the wake of that, Hillians had a couple of chances to seal the win, notably when Cotton mounted a tremendous break from a Leatherhead free kick and set up Curd for an angled drive that keeper Harris just got his fingertips to.

The equaliser came on 81 minutes and was rough luck on home keeper Chris Winterton, who did well to stop Hutchings' effort before Andrews put in the rebound. After that the best chance came at the other end when Curd released Lansdale and his superb cross failed to earn the finish from Harper that it deserved.

Croydon was happy to dwell on the positive: "At least we defended well for the most part and we're now getting as uncompromising as all the other teams in the division."

Hillians: Winterton; Piper, Hurley, Gainsford, Gregory; Cotton, Percival, Duke, Berry; Harper, Curd. Subs: Lansdale (Duke, 63), Franks (Percival, 89), Edmonds, Patterson, Adams (not used).
Middy Starman: Lloyd Cotton, nearly didn't make it and his combative edge will be missed as he serves a three-match ban.

This chap was a linesman on the first ever game on the Leylands Park pitch (Peter Strange was the referee)

Ex-Hillian sharp-shooter Richard Strange (who might turn out in the Haiti game) catches up with another ex-Hillian, Captain from many County League and Cup winning days Adie Downey. Centre picture is Match Sponsor, Trevor Harman of Barclay Developments with his 'Man of The Match' Justin Gregory. Justin hangs on to have his picture taken with the Boardroom Hostess Emily McDonald.

 

News ... #64

20th February 2010

Nothing wrong with this performance ...... a real treat. It's a year on since we were looking down the table, now we are looking upwards. I think it's ok, this time, to say we were VERY GOOD INDEED at Fleet, who are no easy touch!

REVIEW FROM THE MIDDY ... Burgess Hill Town's play-off hopes got back on track with a superb 4-1 victory at third-placed Fleet on Saturday. After only two points in three matches, all against sides below them in the table, the visitors bucked the trend with a thoroughly deserved win that once again highlighted the unpredictable nature of this division.
Burgess Hill manager Gary Croydon said: "I rate Fleet as one of the best teams in the league but we played them off the park. It showed just what we're capable of but with basically a young side, it is consistency that is the problem.
"We now need to put a good run together to stay in line for a play-off place but with 15 matches left, there is still plenty of time. I'm convinced the fifth place is well up for grabs."
Croydon definitely arrived with a game plan, playing only one up front, and it worked a treat as the win was sealed with still two-thirds of the match remaining.
The opening goal arrived after only 11 minutes when Will Berry's overhead kick deflected off the back of defender Steve Hemmings and looped over keeper Lyall Beazley.
The home keeper was again left helpless eight minutes later when Steve Harper chested the ball down and fired a superb 20-yard volley into the top corner. Harper was back to something approaching his best and clearly had an appetite for the fight.
It was virtually game, set and match on 32 minutes when Danny Curd was left free to head home a corner.
Needless to say, Fleet rallied after a half-time rocket from manager Andy Sinton, the former England international, but with Matt Hurley and the outstanding Danny Gainsford in dominant mood, there was no way back.
Chris Winterton's only save of note came from James Field but Hillians always looked dangerous at the other end and on 79 minutes Berry was left unmarked to plant No 4 past Beazley from 10 yards.
Fleet did claim a consolation goal in the closing seconds when Field scored direct from a free kick but Hillians were worthy and comfortable winners.
Hillians: Winterton; Piper, Hurley, Gainsford, Gregory; Lansdale, Harper, Day, Duke, Berry; Curd. Subs: Skinner (Lansdale, 61), Patterson (Curd, 85), Franks (Berry, 87).
Middy Starman: Danny Gainsford, superb in the heart of the defence.

Danny Curd
Another shot of Will Berry's overhead goal
Justin Gregory
Steve Haper blasts the 2nd
.... the reaction
Bradley Duke with fit again Skipper Leo Day
John Lansdale crosses for ...
Danny Curd to head the 3rd ...
celebrations!
Back in action Lloyd Skinner
Titus Patterson
Chris Winterton
Billy Franks
Steve Harper lets fly again
....
Danny Curd get in a good cross ...
which Will Berry - buries for the 4th
celebrations
 

News ... #65

21st February 2010

A terrific afternoon, in poor weather. A good amount of money raised the the Haiti Emergency Appeal. A lot of people want pictures from the day ..... CLICK HERE ... for the lot! Help yourself, if you use them anywhere a credit to www.bhtfc.co.uk would be appreciated. I have cropped and enhanced, if you want the bare large unadulerated original image, just email me via the Contact link above and quote the picture number. I did try to get a picture of every player, but the camera was getting soaked and I started to lose the use of my hands!

 

News ... #66

27th February 2010

Focus On: John Lansdale

Match Report by Chris Francis of THE MID SUSSEX TIMES

Burgess Hill failed to follow up their superb victory at Fleet seven days earlier as their home problems continued with Saturday's somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw with Merstham.
A late goal by Merstham in the earlier meeting brought the same result but this time it was Hillians who had to come from behind. The locals probably deserved to win the away game but they could have no grumbles about this result.
Andy Gander accepted that. With boss Gary Croydon absent because of urgent family business, Gander and Ashley Carr took responsibility and were only sorry they did not have too many options on the bench in a bid to pep things up.
Gander said: "We did toy with a few ideas but it could have meant messing up the midfield and we didn't really want to risk that. In the end a draw was the right result - it's just a pity we can't bring some of our excellent away form into home games."
With Pete Miles and Roger Puttick doing well to get the pitch in playable condition, things looked set up to earn those efforts full reward when Hillians equalised six minutes into the second half. But they failed to follow through and possibly Merstham had the better chances after that.
To be fair, both sides at least continued looking for the win and although hardly a quality match, it was watchable enough. And had Hillians taken their first half chances, they could well have been celebrating three points.
Just six minutes in an excellent move between Matt Piper and Steve Harper on the right set up a chance that Danny Curd sidefooted straight at Ian Chatfield. A yard either side of the Merstham keeper and it would have been 1-0.
But five minutes later the hosts were indebted to keeper Chris Winterton for an outstanding double save. First he stayed big to deny Adrian Stone and then foiled Wes Goggin's follow-up effort.
Just 10 minutes later, however, the impressive keeper was given absolutely no chance when a ball over the top caught out his defence and Stone finished in emphatic fashion.
From then until half time, Hillians had two good heading chances. How big Danny Gainsford put his effort wide from a Harper free kick only he will know and then Bradley Duke timed his run to perfection only to put his header over from John Lansdale's wonderful cross.
Lansdale's long throws caused Merstham quite a few problems and their defence was found wanting early in the second half when they allowed a ball from the right to get into the heart of their box before Harper rammed it into the roof of the net.
That should have been the springboard for Hillians to go on and win it but little more than a minute later Stone went close at the other end with first-time strike and then there was a real let off when first Goggin and then sub Gavin Gordon failed to score when it looked odds-on they would. Justin Gregory deserves credit for foiling Gordon.
Curd, still struggling with an ankle injury and not looking as sharp as he did in the first half of the season, should not really have allowed Chatfield to deny him and from the resulting clearance it needed another good save by Winterton to thwart Gordon once again.
In the closing stages, Curd failed to deliver the fairly routine cross that would have presented Harper with his second goal and there were strong claims for handball when Lansdale whipped in a cross from the right.
But a share of the spoils was the just result and Merstham had the most influential player on the pitch in little No 6 Adrian Moriarty.
Hillians: Winterton; Piper, Hurley, Gainsford, Gregory; Duke, Day, Lansdale, Berry; Harper, Curd. Unused subs: Edmonds, Carr, Patterson, Frankks, Adams.
Bookings: Gregory (BH), Stone & Goggin (Merstham).
Attendance: 167. . . .. Middy Starman: Chris Winterton, some important saves.

 

News ... #67

6th March 2010

Croydon Athletic FC 2 - 0 Burgess Hill Town FC

A quality display from the well organised promotion favourites Croydon Athletic.

We concede after about 10 minutes when failing to move the ball safely out of defence. Without that early concession - the second goal coming very late in the game - it would have been interesting to see how uncomfortable the opposition could have been made to feel, without the luxury of that early lead.

But I did win the 50-50 raffle!

 

 

News ... #68

7th March 2010

BURGESS HILL LADIES FALL AT FINAL HURDLE!!

Burgess Hill Ladies 3 - 4 Albion Community (AET)
[Chrimes, Skilton, Plummer]

Burgess Hill Ladies made their first appearance in a cup final and were narrowly beaten by a very good footballing side in Albion Community Ladies FC.
Within the first five minutes, it became apparent that Albion were a very good side as they immediately put pressure on the Burgess Hill backline of Jade Bubb, Jane Quilley, Gayle Vowels and Alison Fairhall. The back-line was, however, holding firm with both Vowels and Quilley making some crucial interceptions. As Burgess Hill settled into the game, Emma Chrimes and Zita Wheatcroft linked up well to pose some threat on the Albion goal. Leigh Farley and Emma Skilton were working well together to support Chrimes in attack with the ever hard-working Hayley Moore occupying the defensive midfield role in the absence of the influential Natalie Bagwell.
As the first half wore on, Albion were passing the ball around expertly with a great confidence, but Burgess Hill were doing incredibly well to keep the scores at 0-0, with the whole team working tirelessly in both defence and attack. Hayley Plummer became a good outlet for Burgess Hill on the left hand side as both teams looked to get the first goal. It was Albion who drew first blood when an uncharacteristic defensive mistake, allowed the Albion striker to slot the ball into the back of the goal.
Burgess Hill didn't want to let Albion settle as they searched a second goal, and to Burgess Hill's credit, they had an almost instant reply with Farley shooting just over the bar. Albion were a very assured team going forward but Burgess Hill could see that they could be frail at the back if really put under pressure. Skilton won a free kick just outside of the penalty area and picked herself up to score an absolutely brilliant goal, leaving the Albion keeper with no chance. 1-1! Before the first half drew to a close, Burgess Hill keeper Helen Bashford pulled off two good saves to keep Burgess Hill in the game.
With the score level, this game was for the taking but Albion found themselves 2-1 up just inside the second half, with Quilley adjudged to have brought down the Albion striker, resulting in a penalty. With Burgess Hill once again chasing the game, Camilla Chapman and Charlotte Lea replaced Hayley Moore and Jade Bubb respectively. Chrimes was still causing problems amongst the Albion defence and with just five minutes of the game remaining, she got her reward for her persistent hard work. A fine solo run was capped off with a good finish to send the tie into extra time, Burgess Hill once again fighting back from being behind.
With both teams tiring after an already very competitive full 90 minutes, extra time was to provide 3 more goals before the tie was decided. Once again, it was Albion who scored first to make the score 3-2, keeper Bashford making a mistake and allowing the ball into the back of the net. But once again, Burgess Hill's determination saw Burgess Hill equalize. This time, Chrimes combined well with Z Wheatcroft and her shot was spilt by the Albion keeper allowing Plummer to score the rebound. A goal well deserved for all of Plummer's hard work on the left wing. Both teams continued to carve out opportunities with Farley and Skilton both unlucky with shots. Chrimes went close with a neat header before Chapman was forced off after a very late tackle, paving the way for Fiona Setford to try and make an impression. With minutes remaining, Albion caught Burgess Hill on the break and scored a quite amazing goal, leaving keeper Bashford with no chance. With Albion Community leading 4-3, Burgess Hill were given one last chance with a last minute corner. With nothing to lose, Burgess Hill threw everyone forward and keeper Bashford came within inches of leveling the scores once again.
Given more time, Burgess Hill may have found another equalizer but it wasn't meant to be. The whole team can be extremely proud of the performance and the determination to come from behind 3 times in a fascinating game of football. Albion Community were a very well organized side but Burgess Hill gave them an extremely hard time for the full 120 minutes.

Team: Helen Bashford, Jade Bubb (Charlotte Lea), Jane Quilley (C), Gayle Vowels, Alison Fairhall, Hayley Plummer, Emma Skilton, Hayley Moore (Camilla Chapman) (Fiona Setford), Leigh Farley, Zita Wheatcroft, Emma Chrimes

the formalities
One for the press
near miss
super free kick equaliser
spot the ball
brave keeper takes a knock
more ...
match ...
action
midfield battle
goal to make it level again
third goal
   
next year Ladies!
 

News ... #69

9th March 2010

Sittingbourne FC 2 - 3 Burgess Hill Town FC

The Burgess Hill manager had promised everyone around him that after the defeat at Croydon we should all enjoy the next game and almost promised a result!

Gary Croydon admitted later (glowing after this great result) that he "knew" we could have a good evening "the whole squad were just right, everyone was in good spirits."

Well it certainly was another Fleet-like performance, full of high energy all over the pitch.

An early Will Berry strike, low at the near post gave the Hillians a lead but the bouyancy and dominance was severly challenged not long after when the equaliser came.

But the 'good energy' continued and Lloyd Cotton restored the lead for the Hillians who just never stopped chasing and battling. Just before half time Justin Gregory took a second yellow for handball - the ref didn't have much choice ... but it was a little harsh.

The second half was there for the opponents to use the extra player and try to reclaim the game .... but defending as high up the pitch as possible Hill were up to the task and when Steve Harper scored the third with one of his quality strikes ..... well, it's a great football feeling to be 2 goals up away from home!

The excellent and very noisy Brickies supporters continued to sing and encourage their team right up to the last minute - when Sittingbourne did score again.

One of the best wins we've had I reckon.

2-1 celebrations

Only a camera on my mobile phone tonight ....... on the bench: triallist NANI ALI.

 

News ... #70

13th March 2010

Burgess Hill Town FC 1 - 0 Dulwich Hamlet FC


Match Report by Chris Francis of THE MID SUSSEX TIMES

Result that counts for Hillians

After a wonderful win at Sittingbourne in midweek, the priority on Saturday was another three points and it was achieved, albeit not with much style, courtesy of Steve Harper's first-half strike.
Manager Gary Croydon admitted after the home match with Dulwich: "The result was all-important and I'm grateful to get it. We need to put a run together if we want a play-off place and that means grinding out a few results.
"It wasn't pretty but things may have been easier had we scored early on when played quite well and took the game to Dulwich."
The hosts certainly started where they left off in that midweek win and in the first 15 to 20 minutes could have sewn up victory with better finishing.

Steve Harper

Steve Harper
Lloyd Cotton was everywhere and had three good chances. He beat keeper Jack Binks to a Justin Gregory cross in the fifth minute but put his header over and then two minutes later failed to produce an emphatic finish after a good break engineered by Will Berry and Danny Curd.
There was no keeping Cotton out of the action and just seconds after a good tackle by Justin Bowen denied Harper a clear chance, Cotton put close range header wide.
That was all in the first eight minutes but the black and yellow tide slowly began to wane and on 21 minutes Hillians were grateful to the highly impressive Tom Edmonds for clearing near the line when Dulwich worked an excellent move that enabled Frankie Sawyer to lift the ball over home keeper Chris Winterton.


That crucial clearance counted double six minutes later when the only goal arrived. John Lansdale almost came up with a telling through ball but though a defender just got his head to the ball, Harper managed to take possession and cleverly scored with a left foot shot on the turn that beat Binks low to his right.
Two minutes later Harper was played in by Cotton but had trouble digging the ball out and this time his shot caused the visiting keeper no problems.
After that things began to deteriorate and the only action worthy of note came when a linesman ruled that Winterton had picked up a deliberate back pass. From the stands it appeared Danny Gainsford and an attacker had both made contact but it was a marginal decision and sparked a comical moment involving referee Chris Phillips.
He awarded a free kick on the corner of the six-yard box but before it was played, Hillians skipper Leo Day got in a pushing match with Gerry Gonella and Mr Phillips decided a yellow card was required. Unfortunately. after much fumbling in the pocket, he realised he had not brought them out with him and his embarrassment was prolonged when the nearest assistant could not help and he had to run into the other half of the pitch to borrow a card from his other assistant.
There was real danger for Hillians when the free kick was finally taken but they charged down the eventual shot and the ball was cleared.
The somewhat poor fare continued in the second half, with Gonella missing a great chance to equalise eight minutes in and home sub Lloyd Skinner rushing a chance two minutes after he replaced an out-of-sorts John Lansdale.
The best bit of football of the half came in the last five minutes when Skinner and Gregory did superbly on the left and despite Harper timing his run to the near post perfectly. he put a clear header over the top from close range.
It was a pity for Harper that he failed to grab a second goal for he was back to something like his best in this match and even proved capable of some useful defending when he dropped a little deeper upon the introduction of Skinner for the last half hour.
But one goal was enough and led Croydon to say: "We seem to be getting that bit stronger and in this game I felt we could hang on to a one goal lead, which certainly wasn't the case earlier in the season."
No doubt his conviction was strengthened by two previous 2-0 victories over Dulwich this season which means now that three of their five blanks sheets in 37 games this season have come against the Champion Hill brigade.


Hillians: Winterton; Piper, Edmonds, Gainsford, Gregory; Lansdale, Day, Cotton, Berry; Harper, Curd. Subs: Skinner (Lansdale, 60), Hurley, Ali, Patterson, Franks (all unsued). .... Attendance: 200.

Middy Starman: Good to see Harper looking like his old self but it has to go to Tom Edmonds, who took his chance with Matt Hurley unwell in midweek and was outstanding in this match. Another back to his best.

 

News ... #71

20th March 2010

Ashford Town FC 0 - 1 Burgess Hill Town FC

A year after that thrashing at Fleet Town - followed by newly re-appointed Manager Gary Croydon's statements about his concerns over the dire condition of our squad - you can now see a squad full of detemination.

Also, a year ago we were flirting with relegation, now we are looking up the table a few places and wondering. We have returned the favour at Fleet and this time the end of the season could hold a different kind of interest for us.

Yesterday at Ashford (Kent), in difficult conditions underfoot and with occasional showers, Hillians took the points with a teriffic late strike from Will Berry, who hit it across the keeper into the top corner, from the far corner of the penalty box.

Another of the tough battling wins that supporters having been looking for. At this stage of the season and considering Ashford's win in midweek over the table topping Folkestone, this was a great shift put in by everyone .... Chris Winterton's saves definately keeping us in the game, especially getting down so quickly at his near post to keep out an almost certain goal ..... Danny Gainsford with a gashed head (replaced by Tom Edmonds playing like he'd been on the field all day) ..... Leo Day having his shoulder 'just popped back in' by the physio and playing on ..... Lloyd Cotton non-stop on the case ... Danny Curd .... ok everyone!

Hillians: Winterton; Piper, Hurley, Gainsford (Edmonds), Gregory; Berry, Cotton, Day, Harper; Skinner (Miller), Curd. Unused subs: Lansdale, Patterson, Percival

Will Berry strikes what was to be the winning goal.

Focus on WILL BERRY :

Will Berry heads away
Steve Harper & Danny Curd
goalmouth action
Steve Harper on target
Sub Max Miller, from the U16s
Lloyd Skinner


 

News ... #72

23rd March 2010

Cookfield Cosmos U11s at the recent game against Dulwich Hamlet FC

the boys copy the Hillians stretches!
coaches lead a warm up
team picture
Hillian boss Gary Croydon - 'puts them in the picture'

Meeting the players. The young team also sat quietly in the corner of the dressing room and listened to the pre-match team talk.

 

News ... #73

24rd March 2010

Eastbourne Town FC 1 - 2 Burgess Hill Town FC

Not an easy night considering the sadness of the occasion.

With bursts of very heavy rain and in deteriorating conditions, Burgess Hill played a great deal of good football in the first half which they certainly had the better of and went in 0 -1 up, after a very well taken Steve Harper goal - put through against the keeper, he slotted home confidently.

Eastbourne rallied enormously in the second half, but underfoot the going got more difficult. Encouraged by their noisy supporters they pressed hard. Chris Winterton in the Hillians goal had plenty of company behind him! The Eastbourne fans strong (but good natured) barrage eventually got the reward of the equaliser, the usually resiliant Hill defence didn't pick up the short corner and the cross that followed was headed home.

The away side's constant endeavours got the winning goal about 10 minutes from time. In similar circumstances as for his first goal, Steve Harper again calmly beat the keeper in another 1-on-1.

Team: Winterton, Piper (Lansdale), Hurley, Gainsford, Franks, Berry, Percival, Cotton, Skinner, Curd, Harper ... subs: Patterson, Miller, Day,

Click for a word from Steve Harper after the game.

The first version of this interview that features other players walking by and chipping in was cleverly recorded with no sound! (sorry)

 

 

News ... #74

27th March 2010

Match Report by Chris Francis of THE MID SUSSEX TIMES

HILLIANS’ push for a play-off place gathered pace with a fifth straight win on Saturday.
And while it may not have been a vintage performance against one of the division’s strugglers, there can be no doubting the home team’s very real credentials.
Manager Gary Croydon earmarked the four games after a 2-0 defeat at leaders Croydon Athletic as crucial to their chances and believed they never had a better opportunity of launching the kind of run that was necessary to seal a play-off spot.
When a rearranged game at lowly Sussex neighbours Eastbourne Town was then thrown into the equation, suddenly the run of games seemed set even fairer. And the boss could not have asked for more than a nap hand of wins.
He admitted afterwards that maybe his performance was a little like that of his team. He is only too well aware how important it is to maintain a high tempo and can usually be relied upon to cajole and encourage a high work rate throughout.
But even he seemed a little subdued on this day and as a result the performance ebbed and flowed against what has to be one of the poorer sides in the division. No doubt Hillians were the better side and they scored three well worked goals, but really it could have been more comfortable.
It may have been different if they had not gifted the visitors a goal just 90 seconds after taking a 2-0 lead early in the second half. That second goal created by Steve Harper and headed in at close range by man with the Midas touch, Will Berry, should have relaxed them enough to go on and win handsomely.
But almost immediately, a back header by Tom Edmonds lacked sufficient power and that presented a goal on a plate for Chipstead’s Liam Wright.
That meant the pressure, certainly mental if nothing else, remained on until Harper came up with the third goal 16 minutes from time.
Croydon was correct in saying his side were generally in charge but there were too many players below par to guarantee anything.
The start was bright enough and Harper, fresh from his two goals at Eastbourne in midweek, looked like he could cause real damage down the right, where wing back Matt Piper had a superb match and offered a potent link. It was Harper who set up Danny Curd six minutes in but the finish was not clinical enough and keeper Matt Bromby saved with his legs.
Suddenly, Hillians began to go a little flat and could have paid the price as Sean Rivers did well to set up Alan Mathews for a strike that took a slight deflection was still straight at home keeper Chris Winterton.
But then Hillians were lifted by a shot from distance by Justin Gregory, who served a one match ban in midweek but had the kind of first half where he looked like he had missed a whole season rather than one game.
And on 20 minutes they took the lead with a beautifully crafted goal as Berry did well to turn and send over an excellent cross from which Curd made himself plenty of space to score with a close range header.
There were other glimpses of goal for the hosts in the first half but Chipstead were still in the hunt and went close shortly before half time when Danny Moody fired just over from 25 yards.
The two goals inside the first seven minutes of the second half left it status quo but Hillians squandered some good heading chances before great work by Gregory, putting that uncharacteristic first half behind him, set up a chance from which Berry was foiled by the keeper before Harper smacked in the rebound.
Before that Mathews had wasted a wonderful diving header chance for Chipstead but they should have gone 4-1 down deep in stoppage time when home sub Matt Percival put Curd through only for the centre forward to blaze over.
Croydon pointed out that several players are carrying knocks, notably skipper Leo Day playing with his shoulder strapped and being replaced late on, and that was probably a factor in an uneven performance but there was no disguising his joy at a fifth successive win.

Hillians: Winterton, Piper, Hurley, Edmonds, Gregory; Harper, Day, Cotton, Berry; Skinner, Curd. Subs: Percival (Day, 70), Patterson (Skinner, 77), Gainsford, Lansdale & Franks (not used).

Middy Starman: Matt Piper, does not get many such awards but has had a wonderfully consistent season and must be a strong candidate for player-of-the-season.

PLENTY MORE PICTURES OF TODAY'S GAME ON TERRY BUCKMAN'S SITE

 

News ... #75

5th April 2010

Burgess Hill Town FC 3 - 0 Eastbourne Town FC

It's now 6 wins on the trot and we are looking up at a play-off place. A difficult windy day at Leylands Park saw the Hillians get the 3 points. A late replacement keeper for Eastbourne gave quality ex-Hillian Pat Gannon a chance to meet up with old friends, but not much he could do on the day to upset the result.

Finally, sat on the bench as substitute 'keeper for Eastbourne today was Stefan Karakashian - who was my 'keeper and Captain - when he was 6 years old! Well done boy!!

Match Report by Chris Francis of THE MID SUSSEX TIMES

BURGESS HILL made it six wins in a row to stay firmly in the Ryman South play-off hunt as they completed a quickfire double over struggling Sussex neighbours Eastbourne Town with Monday’s 3-0 home victory.
The visitors, managed by their former boss Danny Bloor, had to call on Pat Gannon to face his beloved Hillians when regular keeper Russell Tanner pulled out on the morning of the match.
Gannon was soon in action, doing superbly to deny Steve Harper only seven minutes in. But the reprieve lasted less than a minute as Harper then popped up on the other side to deliver an excellent cross that was turned in at close range by Danny Curd.
On 21 minutes Gannon just managed to get his heel on the ball to deny Curd when he was clean through and that was the last bit of action for the home striker, who injured his knee pre-match and was replaced by Lloyd Skinner.
Skinner was soon posing problems for a highly suspect Town defence but poor finishing meant they survived until the 35th minute when Gannon came for and missed a Harper corner, leaving Will Berry to head in at the far post.
It was Skinner who did well to win that corner and he again did superbly to set up Harper early in the second half, only for the shot to be dragged well wide of the far post.
On the hour the struggling visitors thought they had thrown themselves a lifeline when a rare error by Hill keeper Chris Winterton ended with Chris Dicker heading the ball in. But a linesman flagged for offside to keep Hillians on easy street.
On 68 minutes Gannon distinguished himself by saving at the feet of Harper, who had robbed Greg Manton to go one-on-one, but it was Harper’s late replacement, Titus Patterson, who completed the scoring in stoppage time, just after Winterton had done well to keep out Scott Chamberlain’s goalbound free kick at the other end.
Lloyd Cotton, having one of his quieter games, did brilliantly to win possession and slide over a low cross that Patterson turned in virtually on the line for his first Ryman League goal.
Harper had limped off with a knee injury and it was the fitness of his two leading scorers that caused home boss Gary Croydon most concern at the end.
A blustery wind and lumpy pitch had not helped the entertainment rating in what was a fairly dire match but Croydon said: “It’s results that count at this stage of the season and I’m particularly pleased to keep a clean sheet.”
He was also relieved that his team’s hectic run-in of three games a week does not start until next week as that gives Curd and Harper time to recover.
Hillians: Winterton; Piper, Hurley, Gainsford, Gregory; Percival, Day, Cotton, Berry; Curd, Harper. Subs: Skinner (Curd, 21), Patterson (Harper, 84)

Middy Starman: Matt Percival, really busy in midfield

 

News ... #76

10th April 2010

Walton & Hersham FC 1 - 0 Burgess Hill Town FC

Defeat yesterday - ending the Club's 6 match winning run - still means that Burgess Hill Town have only been beaten 3 times in the last 20 matches. With 6 games coming up in the final 2 weeks of the season and so many clubs still with valid hopes of a Play-Off position, it is certain that there will be twists and turns still to come.

So, Come On You Yellows! ....... see you there!

Best Wishes to Matt Percival who had a trip to hospital after the game with suspected concussion

The following Match Report by Chris Francis of THE MID SUSSEX TIMES .....

HILLIANS’ frenetic and fateful finish to the season did not got off to the best of starts as their six-match winning run came to a halt at bumpy Stompond Lane on Saturday.
The side managed by former Brighton favourite John Crumplin completed what could be a hugely damaging double over the visitors although boss Gary Croydon remained very much upbeat at the end.

“Yes, of course I’m disappointed but I thought the players battled really hard and it wasn’t easy out there. It has to be taken into account that we’ve won six games on pitches with a bit of cut in them and this was played on a typical end-of-season surface. But there’s lots of football to be played and wins in our next two would change the picture once again.”

Anyone who has watched football on a regular basis would probably have guessed that Hillians’ worst miss of the match after only one minute was going to be costly. Steve Harper’s excellent ball over the top sent Danny Curd racing through on goal but from the angle he screwed his shot wide of the far post.
A few minutes later Harper again sent his team-mate racing clear goalside but this time the ball was running away for a goalkick and Curd did well to keep it in play although once nothing came of it.
Croydon was far from pleased when Walton were allowed to get in a cross that allowed misnamed giant Junior Kaffo a free header and there was much relief when referee and linesman turned down strong penalty claims when the lively Michael Charles went down under a challenge from Tom Edmonds.


It was not insignificant that Charles was the player wronged as Matt Hurley and Leo Day both picked up yellow cards and the first free kick cost Hillians the only goal. Keeper Chris Winterton’s miskick as the ball bobbled badly was the prelude and the act was completed by home centre half Will Jenkins after first Hillians knocked the ball against their own bar and then Winterton performed heroics to deny Martin Grant.

It was fitting Jenkins should prove the matchwinner as he was a colossus at the back all afternoon.
After a bright start by Hillians, Walton were starting to pose quite a few questions well before the goal and were getting goalside of the visiting defence far too often for comfort. When Curd did likewise at the other end from an unlikely nod on by Matt Percival, the striker’s heavy touch wasted the chance.
After the goal, only timely interceptions by Hurley and Day denied Grant and Jordan Cheadle when they were about to pull the trigger.
Hillians were again lively at the start of the second half and good breaks down the right led first to Will Berry going close and then Percival muffing what was a far from easy volley. The combative midfielder went off midway through the half after a clash of heads and was taken to hospital when he appeared to be suffering from concussion.
In the end Hillians could have lost by more than the one goal as they threw more men forward in search of an equaliser and were caught on the break several times.
Winterton came when he should not have but just got enough on the ball to deflect an effort from Kaffo on to the far post and then in stoppage time was grateful to see Grant’s blaster rattle the underside of the bar.
Just before that Curd had gone close with a snapshot from the edge of the box but this was not going to be Hillians’ day and Croydon said: “I’ve now got to pick them up, dust them down and get them ready for Tuesday.”

Hillians: Winterton; Piper, Hurley, Edmonds, Gregory; Day, Percival, Cotton, Berry; Harper; Curd. Subs: Skinner (Percival, 67), Lansdale (Day, 80), Franks, Patterson, Hollick (unused).

Middy Starman: Lee Day got in some important challenges but it goes to the neat and tidy Matt Piper.

 

News ... #77

13th April 2010

Burgess Hill Town FC 0 - 0 Croydon Athletic FC

Not often the team gets clapped off the field at the end of a home 0-0 draw!

A valuable point, especially considering the other results tonight . ALSO we should take note that Croydon - the league's quality side - appeared happy to come away from Leylands Park with a point.

Both sides had chances as the match ran late into the night, after a 15 minute break when the referee pulled a muscle and couldn't continue. An assistant took charge of the game after an announcement to the crowd sourced a highly enough qualified linesman to replace him! ...... what drama, with both managers discussing which linesman they 'preferred' ...

The following Match Report by Chris Francis of THE MID SUSSEX TIMES .....

WITH none of their major play-off rivals winning on Tuesday and only Godalming picking up a point, Burgess Hill’s excellent goalless home draw with Ryman South leaders Croydon Athletic represented real progress after Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Walton & Hersham.
Manager Gary Croydon followed a hunch and killed two birds with one stone in his surprising team selection. He decided to give the youngsters and fringe players an outing, while resting his more experienced players as the team faced a punishing schedule of seven games in the last fortnight of the season.
Skipper Leo Day, along with Steve Harper and Justin Gregory, were left on the bench and in came Jason Hollick, Billy Franks and John Lansdale.
Croydon explained his thinking afterwards: “With games on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, there’s no way some of the players can handle that and also I wanted a really up tempo first half to give Croydon plenty to think about.”
The ploy worked well enough thanks to a totally committed performance against big spending and classy visitors who also drew greater encouragement from a point when learning that their title rivals Folkestone had been beaten 1-0 at home by Whyteleafe.
Clear chances were at a premium and again Danny Curd missed a good one barely a minute into the match. The miss at Walton was more reprehenisble and expensive than the one on Tuesday when he failed to get enough on his header from an excellent cross by Lansdale.
In fairness to Curd, though, he had a great match against a formidable marker in former Millwall and Leyton Orient central defender Joe Dolan and got better the longer the game went on.
After that early chance, Lansdale was muscled out of it when good work by Franks and Lloyd Skinner put him goalside and then defender Matt Piper badly sliced a half chance wide when Croydon failed to effectively clear a corner.
Gary Noel was guilty of missing the visitors’ best chances although Ben Godfrey had a header cleared off the line by Piper and in the second half put a completely free header wide from 10 yards.
That second miss came soon after a 16-minute stoppage when senior assistant Michael Milligan took over from referee David Spain, who suffered a groin strain, and a replacement linesman was found and kitted out.
Harper, on as a sub, looked set to capitalise on Lloyd Cotton’s superb through ball when Nathan Green intervened and almost immediately Jacob Erskine was yellow carded for tripping Harper just outside the box.

Hillians: Winterton; Piper, Edmonds, Hurley, Franks; Lansdale, Cotton, Hollick, Berry; Curd, Skinner. Subs: Day (Hollick, 51), Harper (Lansdale, 66). Unused subs: Miller, Gregory, Patterson.

Middy Starmen: The defence was magnificent but it has to go the whole team for a marvellously committed performance against quality opposition.

Tim O'Shea

click on BILLY FRANKS for video interview

(interviewer is louder than interviewee! -first time with new phone, and the file is far too big ....... working on it now)

 

News ... #78

15th April 2010

Hopes of a Play-Off place suffered a big setback tonight. But with both centre backs missing it was a 'big ask' but one we thought possible.

The following (extract from )Match Report by Chris Francis of THE MID SUSSEX TIMES .....

Thursday's disappointing 2-1 defeat at Met Police dealt a savage blow to Burgess Hill's play-off hopes and with bookings for the combative Lloyd Cotton, Leo Day and Justin Gregory, it was a bad night alround.
It started brightly enough, however, with two good chances in the first seven minutes and at 1-1 at half time, Hillians must have retained high hopes of launching a five-match winning run to end what has been a positive season.
Both sides made changes during the interval and it was the Police change that was to prove the more significant. Defender Nathan Simpson badly twisted his knee just before the break and the home side shuffled the pack by replacing him with striker Jamie Read.
It took the sub three minutes to make his mark as Police won a corner on the left and Read moved off his marker to score with a clever header.
There were problems when first-half scorer Steve Harper limped out of the action and the only real positive was the performance of half-time sub John Lansdale.
Lansdale came on in midfield as Will Berry was moved back to central defence and Gregory, who had been filling that role in the absence of both Danny Gainsford and Matt Hurley, reverted to his more familiar left back slot.
Manager Gary Croydon had probably opted for that rather convoluted change to stem the threat of the highly accomplished Craig Brown, who had posed big problems in the first half.

Hillians: Winterton; Piper, Edmonds, Gregory, Franks; Cotton, Day, Berry; Harper, Skinner; Curd. Subs Lansdale (Franks, 45), Patterson (Harper, 66), Percival, Hollick, Miller (all unusued).
Middy Starman: John Lansdale for a positive second-half contribution although Danny Curd also deserves a mention.


 

News ... #79

17th April 2010

Burgess Hill Town FC 4 - 0 Horsham YMCA FC

Match Report by Chris Francis of THE MID SUSSEX TIMES .....

Three goals in the first eight minutes of Saturday's derby between Burgess Hill and Horsham YMCA at Leylands Park helped keep the hosts' faint play-off hopes alive. ...........continued below -

Good to see old friend ... Neil Watts
Gavin Geddes
and Luke Gedling
Lloyd Skinner flying over 'Wattsie'
Middy 'StarMan' : Justin Gregory
One for the family album
Past BHTFC Players often still meet up at the Club .... always great to see them, AND here's some future players!

It killed the match as a contest and a spectacle but home boss Gary Croydon was not worried about that after only one point in three games had left his side needing to win their last four games in a week to have any chance of a play-off place.
As for YM, it has been a season of solid consolidation but manager Chris White was not happy with this performance. He made a double change at half time and said: "I could have changed all 11, we were that bad."
It was a fairytale start for Hillians and 16-year-old central defender Tom Stillwell in particular. In the absence of Danny Gainsford and Matt Hurley, both stranded abroad because of the flight embargo, the youngster came in for his senior debut and would have learned much from the experience.
He did well enough, ushered through by Tom Edmonds, and when he came off late on it was to the accompaniment of a generous round of applause from the home crowd.
On five minutes John Lansdale swung over a free kick from the right and Lloyd Skinner got there first to score from a central position.
And barely more than a minute later there was virtually a carbon copy goal by Lloyd Cotton although this time Lansdale's cross came from open play.
It was almost surreal when Skinner added a well taken third on eight minutes. He was found by a cross from the left and turned neatly before beating Tony Di Bernardo inside his lefthand post.
To be fair to YM, they came back quite well after that but it did little to comfort manager White on his return to Leylands Park.
Terry Dodd was guilty of some bad misses that could have revived the contest although for the third of those Edmonds deserves great credit for tracking back to get in a vital challenge.
Defender Nigel Brake was just wide from the corner that resulted but at the other end was relieved referee Tim Robinson failed to spot anything wrong as he challenged Danny Curd from behind.
That was all in the closing minutes of the half when Justin Gregory, back at left back and having a quite superb first 45 minutes, cleared from virtually off the line.
White introduced former Hillians Matt Geard and Mark Pulling at the start of the second half and there was at least the small consolation of drawing some excellent saves from Chris Winterton in the second half.
But the home side scored the only goal when on 54 minutes a long throw by Lansdale was volleyed home by Will Berry, again in a central position.
The simple manner of the goals must have been a real concern to the YM boss and really Skinner should have completed his hat-trick and Lansdale could have added the goal his performance probably deserved.
But the most blatant miss came in stoppage time when at the other end Winterton's clearance was blocked and Dodd failed to find the open goal with a volley.

Hillians: Winterton; Piper, Edmonds, Stillwell, Gregory; Lansdale, Cotton, Day, Lansdale; Skinner, Curd. Subs: Patterson & Miller (Curd & Skinner, 73), Hollick (Stillwell, 82).
YMCA: Di Bernardo, Watts, Brake, Gedling, T Timms, R Timms, Westcott, Huckett, Dodd, Manton, Lawley. Subs: Geard & Pulling (Lawley & R Timms, 45), Cooke (Westcott, 79).

Middy Starman: Plenty of candidates but it goes to Justin Gregory for that first half performance.

 

News ... #80

20th April 2010

Whitstable Town FC 2 - 1 Burgess Hill Town FC

I missed my trip to Whitstable (and the nice pub on the beach) ...... no pictures on their site to 'borrow' and the report there doesn't really match up with our Manager's ... "We battered them and they scored 2 goals that were clearly way offside!"
 

News ... #81

22nd April 2010

Burgess Hill Town FC 1 - 0 Sittingbourne FC

Match Report by Chris Francis of THE MID SUSSEX TIMES .....
HILLIANS ended their home season on a high and with hopes of promotion next season greatly bolstered by this excellent win.
Despite being without a recognised senior centre half and ending the match with three 16-year-olds on the pitch, they managed to complete the double over competitive and useful visitors.
Youth player Tom Stillwell was given his second senior outing and showed just what a steep learning curve it is at this stage of a career by having an excellent match alongside Matt Piper, yet another pressed into service as a central defender in the continued absence of messrs Gainsford, Hurley and Edmonds.
Stillwell had clearly learned much from his senior debut and played his full part in a fine team performance that delighted manager Gary Croydon.
Considering there was little at stake and it was a typically end of season, hard and bobbly surface, both sides did well to serve up a competitive match and Croydon must have been particularly pleased to end with a clean sheet.
After the visitors made the brighter start, it soon settled into an even contest that only started to tail off in the latter stages of the first half.
The second 45 minutes followed a similar pattern, with the only goal coming five minutes after the break. It was a good one too as John Lansdale did superbly on the right and his marvellous cross was headed in by Will Berry outside the far post.
The 20-year-old Berry has surely been one of the finds of the season and has scored some important goals from midfield as well as doing his stint in the problem central defensive slot in recent weeks after starting the campaign predominantly as a wing back.
Hillians held on surprisingly comfortably after that although they had a lucky let-off on the hour when with his first touch Sittingbourne sub Jimmy Bottle scuffed a great chance wide.
The hosts were also grateful to Stillwell's great block three minutes later when Hicham Akhazzan was bearing down on goal.
With home subs Titus Patterson, Max Miller and Jack Agate all seeing action before the end and Jason Hollick doing a fine job at right back, it was a hugely rewarding night for Croydon & Co, who with the addition of a couple of players to the same squad would reasonably expect to be one of next season's frontrunners.

Hillians: Winterton; Hollick, Piper, Stillwell, Gregory; Lansdale, Day, Percival, Berry; Skinner, Curd. Subs: Patterson (Skinner, 64), Miller (Curd, 79), Agate (Berry, 83).
Middy Starman: A whole host of worthy candidates so it goes to the whole team who belied their years.

16 year old, Jack Agate made his debut via the bench in this game, sorry no picture! Camera won't quite function under lights - so no 2nd half action - better camera next season!

 

News ... #82

24th April 2010

Godalming Town FC 2 - 0 Burgess Hill Town FC

Best finish - at this higher level of football. On a very hard and very difficult pitch the Hillians finished their season at Godalming in the bright sunshine. SEVEN matches in the last 15 days was always going to be difficult, especially with the two first choice central defenders still stuck abroad following the Icelandic volcano and the ban on flights.

In fact 4 central defenders were unavailable today and a further 3 first teamers were sidelinded with injury. But no excuses really, the Hillians were fully involved in this game and 3 under 16 players came in and all did very well gaining valuable experience.

A well earned break now and I think everyone at the Club will be quite excited about what next season could bring ...

THANKS VERY MUCH TO ALL THE PLAYERS FOR A TERRIFIC SEASON ... have a good break boys.

Chris Winterton gets close to the penalty
Smurfs at the game!
more of them ...
Smurfs at the game!