Defeat to Cheshunt ends Burgess Hill Town’s play-off dream
A frustrating afternoon at the MTC ended with Burgess Hill falling to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Cheshunt in their penultimate home game of the season.
On a day when their lingering hopes of reaching the play-offs ended, a slow and sloppy start saw the Hillians fall behind in the 12th minute after a free kick was deflected off a defender and trickled past Michael Dike in goal.
Kaan Bennett missed the perfect opportunity to respond almost immediately, dragging his shot just wide, and the Hill were royally punished as a well worked Cheshunt move was tapped in by Kenny Coker to double their lead after 16 minutes.
Burgess Hill were able to respond before the break, with Glen Rea heading a free kick back across goal for Bennett to nod in, reducing the deficit in the 35th minute. While Hill dominated the rest of the half, they were unable to find the equaliser they needed.
The second half was played at a much lower tempo, the stop-start affair making it very difficult for either side to create quality chances. Burgess Hill saw the majority of possession but lacked that bit of ruthlessness in the final third.
Cheshunt secured their victory as Sam Granville finished from close range into the roof of the net at the second time of asking after an initial wonder save by Dike.
The game was ripe with controversy, with Cheshunt keeper Aymen Azaze narrowly avoiding a red card for an altercation with Hill’s Bennett in a decision that sparked fury from the home support.
This result means Burgess Hill are no longer able to reach the promotion play-offs, although a top half finish as a new side in the division is an extraordinary feat in itself, while Cheshunt themselves secured their league place with this result.
This game was seen by 741.
Burgess Hill travel to London for their next game, taking on Dulwich Hamlet next Saturday, before they return home on Saturday, April 25, for their season finale against Cray Wanderers.
Hill: Michael Dike, Hamish Morrison, Reggie Ward (Ben Parkinson 89), Glen Rea, Jack Burchell, Harry Lawson (Jake King 71), George Vorster, Kieran Rowe, Ben Pope, Chris Whelpdale (Jay Beckford 11), Kaan Bennett. Subs not used: Alex Malins, Josh Spinks.