Hillians draw a blank against Tooting

Burgess Hill Town and Tooting & Mitcham United played out a goalless draw at The Green Elephants Stadium on Monday night, a result that moves the Hillians one place off the play offs.
By Dave Bradbury
Published 11th Mar 2014, 07:07 BST
Spencer Slaughter. Burgess Hill Town Football Club ENGSUS00220131108223643Spencer Slaughter. Burgess Hill Town Football Club ENGSUS00220131108223643
Spencer Slaughter. Burgess Hill Town Football Club ENGSUS00220131108223643

Hill made six changes from Saturday with Danny Curd, Neil Watts, Scott Kirkwood, Spencer Slaughter, Joe Kay and Curtis Gayler coming in for Stuart Tuck, Sam Fisk, Darren Budd, Paul Armstrong, Graham Martin and Max Miller. Lee Denyer was serving the second of a three game ban whilst Joe Keehan remains out injured.

It was a game of few chances throughout, but the Hillians started the better although failed to create a great deal and had slightly more possession in the first half. Greg Luer and Gayler combined well down the left on 6 minutes but Luer’s cross was cleared by a defender.

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The first real chance and probably Hill’s best chance of the game was on 16 minutes when Gayler put Harding through but Harding lifted his shot over the keeper and the bar under pressure.

United’s Jordan Cheadle had a free kick from just outside the area go straight to Alan Mansfield in the Hillians goal for their first effort on target.

The hosts won a corner seven minutes before the break which Gayler swung into the box and the ball fell for Kirkwood but he shot straight at keeper Gareth Williams.

The second half saw The Terrors start brighter and five minutes in a long ball over the top found Craig Watkins and he shot the ball over the advancing Mansfield and the goal.

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Tom Jelley then forced Mansfield into an excellent save when he hit a powerful shot that the stopper parried out for a corner from which Colin Hartburn headed over.

Harding had a weak effort comfortably saved by Williams with twelve minutes remaining as the Hillians started to push for a winner but struggled to break down the Tooting defence.

Hill were again grateful to Mansfield who in the 93rd minute parried away a Cheadle free kick from the edge of the area as the ball looked to be heading into the top corner.

The point sees Hillians move above Faversham Town and still have a game in hand on them and just six points behind Hastings United who slipped up at home to Chipstead.

Hillians: Alan Mansfield, Neil Watts, Toby Pointing, Chris Breach, Danny Curd, Curtis Gayler, Scott Kirkwood, Spencer Slaughter, Joe Kay, Pat Harding, Greg Luer.

Not used: Sam Fisk & Lee Harding