Burgess Hill Town take a break from the grind of picking up Isthmian Premier league points as they head to Dover on Saturday in the FA Trophy second round.

It’s a huge chance for the club to progress in a competition that can give teams at step three a dream of that Wembley Arch.

Hornchurch flew the Isthmian flag in the showcase final in 2021 to beat Hereford 3-1.

National South side Dover will hold all the aces and be strong favourites for the tie. However, Hill manager Gary Mansell will prepare well and his team will give everything on the day.

placeholder image — Burgess Hill Town's U19 academy side

All connections, including the hordes of travelling fans, will relish the occasion and represent Mid Sussex football with pride and determination.

As for the 2026/27 Isthmian Premier, the league is perhaps at it historical strongest with a clutch of non-league giants all slugging it out. As we have seen over the past few weeks you take your foot off the gas for a moment you get severely punished.

Hill have had hard a fought-win cruelly snatched from their grasp at Wingate and Finchley and been taught a brutal home lesson by the league leaders Enfield Town.

It’s been tough few weeks as Hill have had to travel to Cray, Erith, St Albans, Wingate and Chatham. However, Hill are taking it all in their stride currently sitting in 11th place just a tantalising three points outside the play-off zone.

Action from the Hill U19 academy's win over Maidstone | Picture: BHTFC

On Saturday the club travelled to league powerhouses Chatham aiming to right some previous season reversals.

Chatham’s Ben Allen drove home the first goal on 40 minutes from 30 yards. Hill responded early in the second half as centre back Jack Strange headed home a good delivery from Yoan Edoukou.

The game became very frantic as both sides gave 100% effort. Hill forged three or four excellent shooting chances, but Chatham were happy to throw bodies on the line.

On 80 minutes Charlie Lambert was presented with a golden chance but his well-hit shot was saved by the keeper. With fans on the edge of their seats Hill couldn’t quite force the issue as both clubs settled for a point.

Club Captain Keiran Rowe said: "It’s a good point but also an annoying one. We restricted them to very few chances but created quite a few ourselves. We are travelling home feeling we should have won it.

"I am very proud of how the boys have reacted to the Enfield result (6-0 loss). In the last two performances we have worked hard, stuck together and it has been much better. We just need a little piece of luck and we will be away.”

Meanwhile, the Oliva family have become very much part of the Hillians culture. Coach Berty, his wife Steph and son Luca are a major part of the operation dealing with the pathway arm of the club. Hill are lucky to have them.

Over three seasons Berty has demonstrated consistent and powerful progression with the U18s bringing club success and individual improvement. Now 2026/27 has seen the introduction of the U19 academy in association with Haywards Heath College. It’s been an instant hit with players and fans alike.

Berty in tandem with Gary Mansell has been front and centre – the pair act as administrators and managers of the football side.

The team took on Maidstone Academy at the MTC and ran out 8-0 winners, their first victory of the campaign.

Oliva said: “We are very pleased with the win especially the clean sheet, it’s a good day for us.”

As to the bond with Haywards Heath College he said: “It’s going extremely well, we have the squad for training and matchdays on a Wednesday while they receive an education and facilities that are seond to none at the college.

"The lads have access to the gym and analytics. With us they have the opportunity to play competitive football away from the first team environment’ The team now face Ebbsfleet away on November 18.”

Another two unsung Hill heroes also warrant a mention here – kit managers Nat Ellis and Dan Cross. It doesn’t seem to matter how many dirty kits land at Nat’s doorstep she just gets on with it and does a great job – while Dan is on the road delivering washed kits to away dressing rooms across the south-east, and making sure every item comes back. It’s a slick operation.

Hill might be finding Isthmian wins hard to come by right now, but the club are in great shape as we head towards Christmas. Huge opportunities await.