Burgess Hill beat Three Bridges on New Year’s Day derby

Of the two teams, Three Bridges seemed to have the stronger start after Ben Godfrey was able to take two shots in the first ten minutes. Fortunately for Burgess Hill, both efforts went wide and did not trouble Josh James in the Hillians goal. It did not take Burgess Hill long to find their feet and on fifteen minutes Joe Keehan found Pat Harding down the wing and Pat knocked the ball into the net at the far post. Rob O’Toole then took an opportunity to double the score for Burgess Hill after picking up possession of the ball and taking a shot. Luckily for Three Bridges, his shot went wide and was no threat. Three Bridges’ Allan Tait also managed to pull off a shot in the following minute.

His tame shot was easily stopped by keeper Josh James and kicked back out into play. After a series of missed chances for both sides, Sam Fisk started to look dominant and his shot was knocked out for a corner.

The corner was taken by Will Miles and he managed to find Sam Fisk in the box who headed home a second for the Hillians. Burgess Hill Town were awarded a free kick on the 27th minute, and skipper Darren Budd stepped up to take it. His shot was agonisingly close as it rebounded off the cross bar. Just five minutes later, Three Bridges did exactly the same and a quick paced cross found the cross bar. Three Bridges had the last chance of the half when Lee Carney’s free kick was fired directly at Josh James for an easy save.

Keen to keep up the pressure from the first half, Lee Harding made a run down the centre of the field after gaining possession of the ball and knocked the ball over to Darren Budd who defeated a defender and then keeper Kieron Thorp to make it 3-0 to Burgess Hill Town. Ian Chapman made three changes in the second half replacing Joe Keehan, Darren Budd and Rob O’Toole with Graham Martin, Dan Perry and Callum Saunders. Saunders had not been on the field long when he had the opportunity to extend Burgess Hill’s lead even further. After breaking through the midfield he passed over to Dan Perry who had a shot on goal that crept wide of the far post. Perry then created another chance right on full time when his forceful shot rebounded off Kieron Thorp’s chest and was subsequently cleared.

Burgess Hill Town will be pleased to continue their winning ways of 2014 with yet another clean sheet and three points.

Man of the match was given to Burgess Hill defender Andy Pearson.

Burgess Hill Town: Josh James, Neil Watts, Sam Fisk, Darren Budd (Dan Perry 68), Andy Pearson, Will Miles, Dan Pearse, Joe Keehan (Graham Martin 60), Pat Harding, Lee Harding, Rob O’Toole (Callum Saunders)

Unused Subs: Spencer Slaughter, Toby Pointing