Burgess Hill Hockey Club first team end 2025 with a cup win
Burgess Hill Hockey Club entered the National England Hockey Club Tier 3 Championships again after a great run last year saw them reach the quarter-finals in Nottingham.
On Saturday, Burgess Hill’s first team travelled to Guildford in their second-round match.
It was a cold and misty morning, but Burgess Hill were keen to end 2025 with a good performance. Coach Tim Upchurch got his legendary pre-match tactical talk ready and Hill were pleased to have some travelling fans.
On the bright blue pitch, the match started with both teams putting pressure on each other as expected and the game swinging from end to end with some great defensive work from Laura George, Maisy Leak, Rosie Sambell and Abbey Gibbons.
Burgess Hill were the first to score after an attack from a turnover with Katie Allison sending player of the match Claudia A to dribble the ball into the D and nutmeg the Guildford keeper. At half-time, even though Hill were in front, the match was very evenly balanced.
Straight out from the centre pass after the half-time break, Hill, fuelled by jelly babies, ramped up the pressure and scored a second goal within the first minute. Helena Rivers put the ball through for Carla Diogo to back hand around the keeper.
This seemed to give Hill more determination and four minutes later scored again through a run by Lucie Venables and with a cross to Diogo who took a shot that was deflected in by Tammy Falls.
Guildford rallied and had several shots saved by Hill keeper Amelie W.
The 45th minute became eventful with Guildford's speedy left defender taking a brilliant individual run from the back to score. In frustration George was given a green card and had to take two minutes in the sin bin.
Hill continued to work hard in midfield with Derval Branagan, Vicki Smallman and Lois Holland frustrating the Guildford mid-line, leading to a green card for one of their players.
Hills fourth goal came in the final minutes of the game when Bea W made a great run into the D with a shot at goal needing a little push over the line by Falls. It was an awesome team effort to go into the Christmas break on a high.
The next round is due in early 2026 with Burgess Hill hoping for a home match and aiming to go at least one better than last year's quarter-finals.
They would love some local support so please look out for the match and get along and see them at the Triangle.
Hockey is a great game and fpr anyone wanting to join the club, they have teams for all ages and abilities – to find out more see www.burgesshillhockeyclub.com