BHTFC 1st BEER FESTIVAL

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

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

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

Burgess Hill Town FC 2 - 2 Walton Casuals FC

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

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

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

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

Hillians sign Farnborough left-back on 1 month loan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burgess Hill Town FC 2 - 1 Bognor Regis Town FC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burgess Hill Town FC 1 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals FC

Burgess Hill : Joel Harding, Matt Piper, Ollie Allman, Sacha Opinel, Danny Gainsford, Lloyd Cotton, Steve Harper (c), Matt Percival, Danny Curd, Lloyd Skinner, Will Berry, Neil Watts. Subs: Darren Boswell, Titus Patterson, Leo Day, Ronnie Green

Casuals: Luke Naughton, Darren Challke, Scott Hassell, Gavin Cartright, Matt Kitson, Saheed Sankoh, Kane Sergeant, Danny Green (89' Abby Nsubuga), Joe Nwoko (82' Glenn Boosey), Mu MannGoal (82' David Ocquaye), Dave Hodges ... Subs not used: Meddie Nsubuga, Julian Thompson

Two Italian Players sign on for Burgess Hill Town

Burgess Hill : Joel Harding, Neil Watts, Sacha Opinel, Matt Piper (Max Barnard 61), Danny Gainsford, Leo Day(c), Steve Harper, Matt Percival, Danny Curd (Lloyd Skinner 76), Lloyd Cotton, Will Berry... Subs not used: Ronnie Green, Darren Boswell, Titus Patterson, Ollie Allman, Tom Betts (gk)

Eastbourne Town: Keiron Thorpe, Danny Simmonds, Matt Carruthers (Marcus Horley 71), Charlie Farmer, Dean Brooks (c), Adam Davidson (Brad Manton 46), Brett Patton, Sam Crabb, Evan Archibold, Medi Koroma (Ryan Storrie 46), Ashley Robinson ... Subs not used: Greg Manton, Charlie Francis, Tom Moffatt, Sam Corkhill

Ramsgate FC 1 - 3 Burgess Hill Town FC

Unable to travel to this game (from Cornwall) I can do no better than lift the following from the excellent Ramsgate website ...

Ramsgate came into the game on the back of two wins with clean sheets, and despite the absence of captain Ben Laslett through personal commitments, confidence was high. It was a bit of a shock therefore when Burgess Hill took a 16th minute lead when a weak shot was deflected past ‘keeper Conor Quinn by Warren Schulz as Danny Curd homed in, although it was Schulz who restored the status quo 2 minutes later with a powerful volley from the edge of the area gave Joel Harding no chance. The Rams nearly took the lead in the 22nd minute when Mitchell Sherwood’s cross found Joe Taylor outside the area, who turned and curled it towards the far top corner, but the ball flew just outside the woodwork. Burgess Hill extended their lead 5 minutes before the interval when a corner ball flew across the goalmouth, assisted by a flick-on header and the ‘keeper’s finger tips and Lloyd Cotton headed in at the far post. The Rams nearly equalised in the final moments of the half, when Sherwood put the ball over to Schulz in the middle, but ‘keeper Joel Harding did well to block the shot with his legs and, although the ball came back to Schulz he was bundled off the ball by a defender.

Ramsgate introduced midfielder Paul Axon for right back Ryan Harker at the break, with a more attacking line-up, and 6 minutes in Mark Lovell swung a ball in from the right to Schulz in the box, but his close range shot went off the crossbar. Burgess Hill extended their lead further in the 57th minute when a poor header by Liam Quinn was intercepted by Curd, who broke to the right before crossing to Steve Harper, who sidestepped a defender before volleying past ‘keeper Quinn. In the 62nd minute Schulz hit the woodwork again, when he beat the defence to Sherwood’s looping cross from the right and headed clear of Harding, but the ball hit the upright. Four minutes later and Darren Boswell fancied getting the Hillians’ 4th, but his long range effort flew well clear over the goal as well as the wall behind the terrace, while with 4 minutes to go Harper had another good effort, but ‘keeper Quinn saved well. Then, in the 90th minute, a ball from Lovell released Sherwood on another incisive run, but as he cut inside the area and shot at goal a defender’s outstretched arm blocked the shot. Sherwood took the penalty himself, but a great save by Harding kept the score at 1-3.

Manager Update ... from the Middy Sport ... interview by Chris Francis

Some clips from the recent FA Cup defeat against Metropolitan Police

1-0 up at half time with a well taken goal from Danny Curd with both sides playing entertaining football. But Hill with the better chances failing to develope a better lead, one of the closest chances is a Will Berry header that hits the crossbar. Suddenly after more entertaining football ... it's 1-1 with about 25 minutes to go.

This time, through a wonderful strike from Giuseppe Sanso and Lloyd Skinners goal, the Hillians finally make the numerical advantage pay and everyone celebrates a good solid home win. The game saw the return of Nick Fogden to the club, where he partnered Danny Gainsford in central defence.

For today's trip to Chipstead Hillians kept the same line-up that started last Tuesday. Leaving the south coast in shirt sleeves and bright sunshine - an hour up the road it's a cold misty day worth an overcoat.

Hill fashion a few chances in the first half, which finishes at 0-0, most supporters probably don't see anything to suggest that the visiting club will trail 2-0 after an hour of play.

Steve Harper and Ronnie Green are brought on and Hill strive to get back into the game. Ronnie Green scores with his head. After the goal, no celebrations and back to work. Darren Boswell is brought on too and numbers are commited forward. Darren shots ... beats the keeper ... empty goal ... hits post. Ronnie Green hits the roof of the net by the near post. But the game ends in defeat.

The Rebels were left red faced as local rivals Burgess Hill Town netted six at the A2B Stadium to progress to the next round of the Isthmian League Cup.

Chris White was forced to make changes to the side that stole a late equaliser at Corinthian Casuals on Saturday with influential captain Tony Timms suspended. Ryan Peake replaced him at the heart of defence and Tom Manton was named as captain for the night, however there were just two other changes to the starting eleven with Mike Huckett returning to the side and striker Ryan McBride making his home debut. Despite naming a strong side, Worthing were sluggish to start and capitulated at the back; conceding four goals within the first 25 minutes.

It took just seven minutes for the visitors to grab their first of the night as Ollie Lockyer capitalised on Seb Barton’s mistake to tap in after the dual signed Eastbourne Borough goalkeeper spilt a cross. It could easily have been 2-0 moments later, but Steve Harper’s lob dropped wide of the far post with Barton beaten. It was only a matter of time before the Hillians doubled their advantage though, and the match was just 12 minutes old when Harper fended off Zac Beda and tucked the second under Barton. Harper then had another chance to score, but could only drag wide from 20 yards.

On 20 minutes the Rebels gave themselves a lifeline with Mike Huckett turning in John Lansdale’s free-kick from close range, however it was Burgess Hill who were piling on the pressure and Titus Patterson was denied on the goal line by Lansdale as Worthing breathed a sigh of relief. Just a minute later the visitors had added a third though. With the Worthing defence struggling to cope with long balls over the top, Patterson easily beat Lansdale and placed clinically into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area, and it was less than a minute before Ollie Lockyer finished Patterson’s low cross to make it 4-1.

With just a quarter of the match played the Rebels were three goals down, and seemingly out, although it could have been worse with Giuseppe Sanso’s 30 yard strike ruled out for a deflection from his offside teammate. Will Berry and Darren Boswell both also had chances for the Hillians but were unable to take them, and Worthing should have clawed back another on 36 minutes but Terry Dodd shot straight at the advancing goalkeeper when clear through in the penalty area.

There was only a minute left to play before the break when the visitors scored their fifth following more sloppy Worthing defending. Patterson was allowed space on the flank and provided a cross to the far post where the unmarked Darren Boswell produced a wonderful powered volley which cannoned down and, according to the linesman, across the line. Terry Dodd headed just over the bar from a Luke Gedling corner with seconds of the first half remaining; however the game was almost already beyond the Rebels’ reach.

Half-time: Worthing 1-5 Burgess Hill Town

The second half was far less eventful than the first, but just eight minutes after the restart the away side had capped their win with another goal as Steve Harper broke through and slotted beyond Seb Barton to wrap the game up. With half an hour remaining the Rebels made a triple substitution with Tom Lawley, Shaun Charles and Mike James introduced to the game, but excluding a Lawley shot which was saved by Burgess Hill goalkeeper Joel Harding, the home side were unable to produce an inspired comeback.

In fact, it could have been worse had Harper not been denied a hat-trick by the woodwork as his powerful strike from long range struck the crossbar.

The Rebels now have until Saturday to evaluate exactly where it all went wrong on a very disappointing night at the A2B Stadium. Obviously the absence of captain Tony Timms in the heart of the defence had an impact on the side’s overall performance; however there was seemingly a lack of a cutting edge across the park. To have any hope of overcoming Folkestone Invicta in the FA Trophy this weekend Chris White’s side will have to improve significantly.

From today's Argus ... news of two signings and I hear there may be another one quite soon too.

Manager Gary Croydon was bouyant ahead of tomorrow's game - pleased with the new players and again especially pleased after last night produced "another terrifc training session."

Last night Burgess Hill Youth beat Horsham YMCA Youth 3 - 0, see Youth Pages for report.

A 15 year old player called Alex Strange was in the squad 'just to sit on the bench, probably' for the experience! But 10 minutes from time, Manager Ashley Carr decided to 'give the boy a run'. He went on and scored two good goals!

Alex is the son of well-known ex-Hillian striker Richard Strange, who in turn is the son of ex-Hillian and Club Historian: Peter Strange.

Three generation of Hillians.

Walton Casuals FC 3 - 0 Burgess Hill Town FC

No point in trying to hide it ... this was not my sort of day ... spending too long in the car on the way and arriving about 5 minutes late. I move through the turnstile to hear the tannoy announcer celebrating the first Walton goal. I get comfortable(ish) and get the camera out .... in time to take this picture of the second Walton goal ... 11 minutes of my life gone ... just like that, and 80 odd more to go! We knew Walton would be a tough game, having played them on the first day of the season, and their League position reflects that. It stays 2-0 until the 89th minute, with Burgess Hill still trying to get something out of the game, the numbers committed forward lead to the third strike. On a happier note Sam Tucknott makes a bright debut from the bench. After the game Gary Croydon relects that having warned his team about the quick start he expected from the Casuals, we still suffer a poor first 20 minutes of the game. GC adds that, 'we played well after that and were the better side in the second half'.

Hard fought narrow away wins can be the most entertaining or nerve wracking games ... depending on whether you are a neutral or a supporter. The chances at either end were numerous, you couldn't really use words like squandered or missed too often because both keepers - our own Joel Harding and the well-known Ian Chatfield in the Merstham goal - both had excellent games ... and they were busy.

After last week's sleepy start, the good early chances that Merstham created were a worry, and really Hill didn't have their share of the play in the first 10-15 minutes. That's partly why this victory was so satisfying as the Hillians gradually took over the balance of play. The side was adjusted slightly from last week with Nick Fogden feeling unwell before the game (eye infection), Neil Watts moved to center mid to partner Danny Gainsford and Titus Patterson started. With so many chances not taken in the first half, which way would the thoughts of the supporter be turning - I would like to have bugged the dressing room! But the chances continued to be created regularly after break and as Manager Gary Croydon said after the game "As long as chances are being created, there should be nothing too much to worry about." After an hour of play a lofted ball fell between the collision bound Lloyd Cotton and the Merstham 'keeper, Cotton reached it just in time and lifted the ball over the goalie and into the net, under the bar. (pictured below)

early chance for Danny Curd	Steve Harper	ex-Hillian Bradley Duke (w/Curd)
chances ... Danny Curd	Lloyd Cotton	and Danny Curd again

Sam Tucknott played about the last 15 minutes and his quick and energetic performance should give home fans something to look forward to seeing when he makes his debut at Leylands Park. Other new signing, the youngster Tom Bold sat on the bench for this game, along with Youth player Tom Stilwell. Darren Boswell replaced Danny Curd towards the end of the game.

Chances continued to flow, and as Merstham put more and more players forward the temptation to be found sitting too deep was countered by the Hill bench vigorously pulling and encouraging the team through the last period of a game that was a good spectacle on what looked a difficult, heavy and tiring surface.

Hill win the toss and make Fleet swop ends thus giving away the severe slope advantage.

After Saturday's satisfying away win, the Hillians were confident tonight and moved the ball forward quickly right from the start. The match is combatative and Fleet, who are not getting good results lately are determined to turn things around tonight, and are easily good enough to do that .... but it wasn't going to be tonight against a well organised and energetic Burgess Hill. Above all other things - as Manager GC points out "we ALL worked very hard for EACH OTHER"

On 36 minutes Lloyd Cotton lifts the ball over the keeper in a similar goal to last Saturday's.

Burgess Hill's second half performance was one of dominance with the chances starting to flow regularly. Danny Curd beat the keeper but saw his shot come straight back off the far post and into the keeper's arms. A little later he took the ball around the keeper and slotted home at the other far post ... offside! Just a little later in taking it around the keeper again ... he is brought down ... penalty (64mins).

At 0-2 Hill are almost comfy and can be satisfied (again) having subdued the Fleet side and gained a very good 3 points.

turn sound down a little ... Bucky warning!

Almost the same line-up as the last game, but with Titus Patterson having a back injury and Nick Fogden returning at centre back, Neil Watts and Matt Piper are full backs and Will Berry pushes forward. (subs. Sam Tucknott and Darren Boswell enter the game toward the very end).

Burges Hill striker Danny Curd is unavailable tomorrow as he is on holiday but boss Gary Croydon says he was due a well-deserved rest.

Curd helped Hillians to a 2-0 win at Fleet on Tuesday which took them into the final playoff spot and Croydon said: "Danny has led the line brilliantly for us this season and he was black and blue when he came off on Tuesday. He kept taking punishment and to be honest I may have told him to take a breather this weekeend."

Hillians entertain Whyteleafe tomorrow in bouyant mood after back to back away wins built on tight defensive displays.

Darren Boswell,Titus Paterson and Sam Tucknott are all possible replacements for Curd while Youth-teamers Kit Treager, Tom Stillwell and Ollie Lockyer come into the squad.

Croydon added: "I've had 400 games as manager for Burgess Hill and I can't remember many team performances as good as Tuesday night's. They all workded for one another which is what you want to see as a manager."

Croydon is also hopeful of persuading Sacha Opinel back to the club for the latter stages of the season following a successful loan spell last year.

Former Charlton youngster Callum Christie, who left the club in the summer to play in America, has also re-signed as cover for goalkeeper Joel Harding.

Burgess Hill Youth's big victory on Sunday has taken them into the Sussex County Final.

Click HERE to read the report.

The young Hillians continued in good form with a 2-0 win away at Gorings Mead Horsham.

They top the Ryman youth league once again and have now gone an impressive 5 consecutive league matches without conceding a goal. Manager Ashley Carr has put together a strong squad and all but two of the squad are in there first year at youth level ............

Click HERE to read the full report on the Youth Page

The Hillians were missing key players due to illness and injury and it was ............

Click HERE to read the full report on the Youth Page

A change to the last game's lineup after Nick Fogden (sick twice on the way to the game) is on the bench, Neil Watts (not feeling great either) switches to centreback and Sam Tucknott starts the game.

On a very bumpy and difficult pitch Hill gained another point 'on the road' today. With the hard times Godalming have experienced lately: the exit of most of their players to follow the departing manager to a rival club and the ensuing poor results, it would be easy to expect a smoother ride from this game.

But anyone who looks at the league results every week will see that pretty much nobody is having things all their own way this season, and in the end Manager Gary Croydon expressed himself pleased to get a point in a fixture that he always saw as being difficult.

The game began with drama - after only a few minutes the host keeper brought down Danny Curd who was clear through on goal, the keeper injured himself in the process and after 7 minutes and on a stretcher he was taken to hospital with a suspected broken jaw.

Steve Harper scored the penalty and the referee who had been waiting to one side while the unfortunate keeper was shifted to a stretcher, kept the red card, he had to give, behind his back. Although the keeper had to go, at least the official spared him the indignity of having a Red waved at him as he left the pitch on his back!

Struggling side ... 0-1 down ... down to 10 men ... outfield player in goal ... 80+ minutes to go ... against play-off hopefuls !!! it's obvious isn't it ...... Godalming go up the other end minutes later and equalise.

	.Lloyd Cotton
Matt Percival	Steve Harper (and friend)	Sam Tucknott - so close
Danny Gainsford	Sam Tucknott	late sub for DC ... Darren Boswell

The hosts get down to work, appealing everything, working hard, the pitch remains a constant - constantly difficult, and the visiting Hillians can't get the goal they want.

Burgess Hill's manager had 'strong words' at half time, starting before the team entered the dressing room, but the second half goes goalless for Hill. A late reversal of pressure from Godalming brings smart saves from Joel Harding in the Hill goal and in the closing moments of the game a penalty is awarded to Godalming for handball from a corner! The home side appeal with even more vigour than in the rest of the game! But the handball has to be by a defender, not the attacking side, as most people and the linesman saw, so the referee is buzzed by his Assistant and the decision is corrected.

Now is the time to make your voice heard about the future of our Football Club.

You will have seen that Burgess Hill Town Council are promoting for public consultation a town wide strategy for the growth and development of Burgess Hill which is intended to form the basis for the enlargement and development of the town over the next twenty years. The proposals are on display for public consultation at The Martlets Centre and The Triangle Leisure Centre and the Council is inviting your views.

I would like to seek your support in bringing the re-location of our Club to the forefront of the Council's thinking.

I have been having discussions with Mid Sussex District Council and Burgess Hill Town Council over the proposed re-location of our ground and the provision of a new stadium for the past six years. We initially made representations to Mid Sussex District Council when they were reviewing the Core Strategy of their Local Development Framework, but with changes in Government and Planning Policy all the work that went into that has effectively been kicked into touch. Under the provisions of the proposed new localism agenda being brought in by the Coalition Government power has now been passed down to the community through its elected representatives to make local decisions on matters which affect them. I believe our Football Club is one such issue. Unfortunately, the plan proposed by Burgess Hill Town Council goes nowhere near providing a solution to this.

The present location of the Club at Leylands Park is far from ideal. We recognize that our activities cause nuisance and disruption to local residents by reason of the floodlights, the noise and the car parking. Equally, the limited amount of space we have prevents us from expanding the facilities to provide a better environment for both players and spectators. In addition we have no available training facilities. Our ambition to move our Club up the non-league football pyramid is handicapped by the limitation placed on us by the ground.

Sometime ago we identified a site at Goddards Green which can be made available to us to re-locate our Club to a new stadium and with our own training facilities. Although the site is currently on the western perimeters of Burgess Hill, it has always been the case that Burgess Hill will expand westwards and we anticipate that within five to ten years the new ground, although on the edge of the Town, would be clearly associated with it. That is still our preferred route because that site is available and in our view, the use of that land for a leisure related facility is more appropriate to its semi-rural location than the proposed designation as a business park, which is what is now shown on the Burgess Hill Town Council Plan.

The Town Council Plan proposes a community sports centre at the roundabout adjoining The Triangle Leisure Centre and St. Paul's School. We support the idea of community facilities, but have no wish to be involved in sharing facilities with the athletics club, the rugby club and the numerous junior sports clubs in the area. Burgess Hill Town Football Club is essentially a professional club whose ethos and development ambition is to provide a centre of excellence in football to give local youngsters with footballing talent the opportunity to progress their careers. There are many other clubs around who offer facilities for playing the game at lower levels of ability.

Moreover, the Town Council's proposals make no reference to the on-going cost of maintaining a major community sports facility, save to say that the funding will come from the intended residential development on the northern side of the Town. This is very ambitious in the current economic climate and what is more, imposing the costs burden on to residential development developers will increase the pressure for more houses, but also ensure that house prices continue to rise at a time when it is evident that they are already too expensive. The inevitable consequence of this is that a community sports facility is unlikely to be deliverable on any basis for many years to come.

We do not want to wait many years and I would like you to make your views known to the Town Council through the consultation process going on at the moment. The points which the Football Club will be making to the Town Council will be these:-

1. The Football Club should not be seen as part of a community sports centre with facilities shared with other clubs and other sports. We are happy for the Council to provide whatever facilities they think are appropriate for community use, but we require a stadium and training facilities specifically for our own development and that point has been made known to the Town Council many times.

2. The need for the Football Club to move is pressing. A move would be beneficial not only to the Football Club, but also to the local residents who currently have to suffer the disruption that arises through the legitimate use by the Football Club of the Leylands Park pitch.

3. The site at Goddards Green is an appropriate use for a leisure facility and is well-placed for transport connections so as to avoid the potential disruption caused by a larger number of visitors coming to the ground as the Club progresses up the football pyramid.

4. The site at Goddards Green is more appropriate for leisure use than, as currently proposed, a business park, and would cause virtually no disturbance to local residents.

5. It is essential for the regeneration of Burgess Hill get the ball rolling. There has already been much delay through changes in policy and prolonged debate, with no end product. The re-location of the Football Club will free up a key part of the development land to enable housing development to take place and begin the process of expanding the Town and providing the facilities the Town Council express a desire to provide.

I hope you will be able to support us in this campaign.

Kevin Newell
(Chairman)

The third draw in a row brought disappointment to a crowd who were happy to see some football after the midweek postponement and rain early in the day had threatened this game. An early pitch inspection was passed and the pitch stood up very well, in fact producing a very decent match.

The story of the game is becoming a familiar one ... take the lead and look good for a 'result', only to be derailled by an equaliser. Manager Gary Croydon put it this way "First half our game plan was good, we played well and kept on our game, second half when we met with the pressure that every team will exert on you at some stage of the game, we lost our stride and, as has happened recently, just couldn't get going again. I know we are always looking at players, but the quality in this squad is good and certainly good enough to be turning some of these draws into wins. I'm very happy with the squad and it's my job get them back on track. Maybe Tuesday's Senior Cup game will be a good opportunity to get back to winning games."

In fact, the ambition at the start of the season was to aim for 5th place (our previous best finish is 7th last season) and we sit firmly in that last playoff place of 5th right now.

Hillians' goal scored after a surging run down the right by Lloyd Cotton finishes with a pass into the path of Will Berry who sweeps the ball home.

Will Berry after scoring	Lloyd Cotton	Matt Percival
Danny Curd	Lloyd Cotton - overhead	Neil Watts crosses

The game was notable for the Hillians debut of Tom Parkinson, on loan from Maidstone and also for the meeting on opposite sides of twin brothers Joel and Pat Harding.

Burgess Hill Town: Joel Harding, Matt Piper,Neil Watts, Leo Day (c), Danny Gainsford, Nick Fogden, Tom Parkinson, Matt Percival, Danny Curd, Darren Boswell, Will Berry ...subs: Kit Tregear, Ryan Bromley, Pat Soan, Tom Betts

Horsham: Mark Zawadski, Jack Page, Mark Knee, Jahmahl King, Tom Graves, Anthony Storey (c), Paul Kennett, William Pearoux, Billy Dunn, Partrick Harding, Gary Charman, Steve Davies ... subs: Hassan Nyang, Shane Graham, Lee Farrell, Ian Payne

Thanks very much to JOHN LINES and HORSHAM FC for the pictures

Burgess Hill Town: Joel Harding, Matt Piper,Neil Watts (Lloyd Cotton), Leo Day (c), Danny Gainsford, Nick Fogden, Tom Parkinson, Matt Percival (Sam Tucknott), Danny Curd, Darren Boswell (Titus Patterson), Will Berry ... unused subs: Ollie Lockyer, Kit Tregear

Click HERE to read the full report on the Youth Page

Click HERE to read the reports on the Ladies Page

Click HERE to read the reports on the Ladies Page

Click HERE to read the full report and INTERVIEW with the Manager on the Youth Page

Burgess Hill Ladies are now planning for next season. Are you looking for a new challenge ? Unhappy at your present club ? New and experienced players are welcome to join our ambitious but friendly club. Ring Brian on 07840 683039 or emailburgesshillladiesfc@hotmail.co.uk

A bad week for the Hillians ... but the side still hold onto that 5th and last play-off place and that following a week with three defeats on the trot. It was a very poor showing today, probably only 1 or 2 players having a decent game. "We were not good enough, and that includes me" said the Hillians Manager.