There was a club-wide cloud hanging over Burgess Hill Town’s Medical Travel Compared Stadium following the FA Cup demise at the hands of Hanwell Town.

There was a lot of discussion and healthy debate among fans about team selection and Hill not playing with bravery on the day.

Our historical club ethos and dreams about reaching the first round proper are now enhanced as owners David and Vicky share and are fully engaged in the same vision – so bowing out early came as a crushing blow.

Move on a week and it was all sunny and light around the MTC as the team moved on to a new opportunity with Winslow in the FA Trophy.

Burgess Hill Town under-12s won in Eastbourne

placeholder image — Burgess Hill Town under-12s won in Eastbourne

Under blue skies and in warm temperatures Hill got off to a fast start with a chance in the first minute.

Ex-Horsham striker Shamir Fenelon is finding his feet around Leylands Park and was on hand to fire home on 18 minutes. Goal machine Chris Whelpdale made it two on 28 and George Vorster made it three before half-time. Fenelon, Whelpdale and Ben Pope all scored in the second half to make it 6-0.

Full credit to Winslow, who stuck to the task scoring two late goals.

Manager Gary Mansell was ‘delighted with the home win’ but did call out the conceded goals saying: “It’s disappointing to have conceded those goals. We have talked about focus for the entire game, and we had a great opportunity to keep that clean sheet. It didn’t matter today but on another occasion it will.”

Hill were in good goalscorng form against Winslow in the FA Trophy | Picture: Lynden Humphrey

Manwell will have noted that Hill have only kept a clean sheet three times in 11 matches. Hopefully the fourth will arrive soon.

Hill’s FA Cup exit will need to be quickly erased – there is no time to dwell on it. Things are moving fast around the MTC with new opportunities coming thick and fast.

The club really need to grab six points in their upcoming home Isthmian Premier games against Maldon on Saturday (October 3) and Aveley on October 10.

Hill’s U18s are certainly doing things the hard way under manager Berty Oliva. While he believes in attractive, fast-paced forward-focused football it seems his team are struggling to read that memo right now. However, they are grinding out victory after victory which is putting their ever-growing support through the wringer.

They survived some heavy Farnham challenges in the FA Cup to prevail 3-1 at home. Then last Monday they travelled to Three Bridges to start their defence of the Isthmian Youth Cup.

Striker Bobby Byrne scored two first-half goals for a 2-1 lead. However, a robust second half saw Bridges battling hard. Hill eventually progressed to the next round 3-2 with tempers flaring at the final whistle.

The Hillians’ amazing women’s team are enjoying a great start to their Sussex Premier campaign. It’s two wins in two after a 5-1 demolition of Eastbourne Town at the Saffrons on Sunday.

Grace Tindall scored a brilliant hat-trick including a beautiful chip from 25 yards. They go to Pagham on Sunday.

The U19s Academy with Haywards Heath College have lost both their games but are battling for 90 minutes. They go to Folkstone on October 7.

Hill’s juniors are now playing league games. The U12s went to Sovereign Saints, Eastbourne, for an 11am Sussex Sunday League game lasting 30 minutes each way on a grass pitch.

Both teams played out an entertaining but close-fought match in the right spirit. Hill took a narrow 1-0 victory as midfielder Tom smashed home from 12 yards.

Defender Mohammad was the player of the match.