THIS WEEKEND’S MATCH PREVIEW – BURGESS HILL TOWN (AWAY)

Dulwich return to league action on Saturday after a rare week of R&R making the trip down to the wonderfully named Wivelsfield, home of the Hillians

It has been mixed fortunes this season for Burgess Hill Town after their triumphant march to the Isthmian League Division One South title last term under Ian Chapman. The Hillians have known some ups and downs in their time but nothing could prepare the local fans of the club for last season’s record-breaking 36 game unbeaten run, which caught the eye of the national media and also saw them topple Aldershot from the FA Trophy and Sutton United from the FA Cup.

Making their debut at the Ryman League’s top table, the Hillians got off to a flying start, beating Needham Market away in their opener, winning at home to VCD Athletic before being narrowly beaten by the current pacesetters Grays Athletic, losing by the odd goal in three.

They bounced back in the Alan Turvey Trophy winning a penalty shootout away to Worthing after the ninety minutes had ended 2-2 but things took a turn for the worse in the ensuing matches. A single goal was enough to separate the two Towns as Enfield picked up the points before the floodgates opened at Leylands Park, Harrow Borough going nap with a 5-0 win.

However, the Bank Holiday proved a bright one with back-to-back victories over the weekend. Early goals from Scott Kirkwood and Pat Harding inside the first ten minutes proved enough to secure three points away to Merstham on the Saturday. 48 hours later and it was back in Sussex as the Hillians took on Farnborough in a game that some might not have expected a week earlier. A Harding was again on the scoresheet, this time Pat’s brother Lee and though the opposition levelled within five minutes second half goals from substitutes Chris Smith and Dan Pearse made sure of a 3-1 win.

Smith was on target once more next outing, putting the Hillians ahead just after the break away to Hampton and Richmond Borough. However, a controversial goal from Charlie Moone, with the referee overruling his assistant on a flagged offside, meant they had to make do with a share of the points. Though Burgess Hill put in a much improved performance from the 5-0 home defeat at the hands of Harrow Borough, they came away from that early return fixture with naught as a 7th minute Lewis Driver goal was enough to clinch a double for the Earlsmead men.

Giant killers in the national competitions last term but this time around, the boot was firmly on the other foot as Chapman's men stumbled at the first hurdle as they exited this year’s FA Cup following a shock 2-1 loss away to Southern Combination League side Horsham YMCA.

This Saturday’s game takes place at the wonderfully named Green Elephants Stadium. With local brewer Dark Star sponsoring the game and its products on sale in the club bar, don’t be surprised if those Green Elephants have some Pink ones to content with!

If you are travelling to the ground by train, please remember that the nearest station to the ground is Wivelsfield NOT Burgess Hill.
Leylands Park is a short walk from the station with directions available on the Burgess Hill Town website by clicking here

Admission Prices:

• Adults: £10
• Seniors (65 and over) £6
• Under 18’s: FREE