Gary Mansell hopes a six-goal showing in the FA Trophy can spur on Burgess Hill Town to turn league draws into wins.

The Hillians eased into the first round with a 6-2 home victory over division-lower Winslow United on Saturday.

Shamir Fenelon and Chris Whelpdale scored two each and George Vorster and Ben Pope added one apiece to put Hill into Monday’s draw, which gave them a visit to Isthmian South East side Erith Town on October 24.

Mansell was pleased with the win – although disappointed with the two goals conceded late in the game – and wants it to inspire his team to hit their best form in the league.

Burgess Hill Town celebrate on their way to a 6-2 win over Winslow in the Trophy | Picture by Lynden Humphrey

placeholder image — Burgess Hill Town celebrate on their way to a 6-2 win over Winslow in the Trophy | Picture by Lynden Humphrey

Hill have drawn four of their opening seven Isthmian Premier games – although have lost only one – and sit 14th in the table with work to do to get among the leading pack.

But with the next three league games all at home, they have the chance to move up the table… if they can be as ruthless in front of goal as they were against Winslow.

Mansell told us: “We were pleased to get through in the Trophy – ultimately that is what counts. It was a good result and performance after the disappointment of going out of the FA Cup at Hanwell the previous week.

“Now we have Erith Town in the next round, which won’t be easy. We’d love to go further in this competition have exited the FA Cup early.

“At Hanwell we didn’t give a good enough account of ourselves. We had no control until we went 1-0 down, but did create chances when behind, even at two down.”

Focus now returns to the league, with Mansell and his players aware that if they can better last season’s eighth-place finish by one spot, they will be in the newly expanded play-offs.

They host Maldon & Tiptree this Saturday, Aveley a week later then Dulwich on Tuesday 13 – a run broken up by a Sussex Senior Cup visit to Hastings next Tuesday.

Mansell said: “We’ve drawn too many in the league so far but we feel three of those draws could have been wins.

“We’ve not played anyone who’s been that much better than us and it looks like being a very open league, everyone beating everyone else.

“We must aim to get a run together, especially with the upcoming home games, and if we can attack and score goals like we did on Saturday, it will help.”

On the injury front, there’s good news regarding Martyn Box, out since an ACL injury sustained last December. He’s now looking at a return to action in November.