Post by oap on Apr 15, 2014 11:13:42 GMT
This report (taken from the Burgess Hill web-site) does not tell how close Town came to gaining all 3 points or how lucky the visitors were to escape with a draw. Their equalising goal came in the 90th minute after some bizarre refereeing decisions when the official in charge unfortunately lost the plot when the football became quite frantic. Burgess Hill certainly looked anything but a side going for a play-off place. If successful they definitely will not last long in the premier league without a major influx of new young blood (and legs) to avoid coming straight back down.
In just under a week Town have lost 5 points in the final few minutes of three games which would have made a huge difference to their chances of survival. Wednesday sees relegation fighters Three Bridges here attempting to leap-frog over Redhill whilst Town hope that we will get the results our improved play, hard work, and team spirit deserve.
EASTBOURNE TOWN 1-BURGESS HILL1
Burgess Hill Town missed the chance to close the gap to one point on the play offs as they had to settle for a point at bottom side Eastbourne Town.
Hill dominated possession throughout the game but failed to take the numerous chances before finally equalising as the clock ticked into injury time.
Pat Harding nearly gave the Hillians the lead in the 10th minute when Greg Luer's corner fell to Harding who's header was cleared off the line.
Eastbourne's prolific striker Billy Medlock had a first time effort beaten away by Hill keeper Tom Beadle but it was the visitors who continued to press for the opening goal.
There was a goal mouth scramble which home keeper Matthew Dann punched clear as the ball bobbled about the box but nobody could force it in.
Greg Luer saw his powerful strike go over after good work by skipper Darren Budd but it was the hosts who took the lead against the run of play with 6 minutes of the half remaining.
Former Hillian Tom Bold swung in a corner which was powerfully headed home from close range by Ryan Cooper.
Luer and Graham Martin both had efforts to equalise before the half ended.
Hillians showed their intent early on in the second half pressuring the hosts goal and when a shot hit the bar the ball was put back into the box but Dann punched clear.
This was followed shortly after by Harding who lobbed the keeper and the ball clipped the top of the bar and then a minute later Harding again went close when he hit the ball just over the bar from Paul Armstrong's cross.
With half an hour remaining Chris Breach had his effort from Luer's cross saved by the keepers legs and out for a corner which Spencer Slaughter headed wide.
Bold has the hosts only real effort of the half when his free kick was saved by Beadle.
With time running out sub Max Miller had a shot from just inside the box tipped out for a corner from which another sub, Scott Kirkwood, saw his diving header go straight into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper before Hill got the equalising goal they deserved.
Kirkwood's deep cross went to Breach who headed home to score his first goal for the Club and get the Hillians a point, which moves the Hillians up a place to sixth just three points behind Hastings in the final play off spot.
Hillians: Tom Beadle, Neil Watts, Sam Fisk, Stuart Tuck, Chris Breach, Graham Martin (Max Miller 65), Darren Budd, Spencer Slaughter (Scott Kirkwood 76), Paul Armstrong (Lee Harding 57), Greg Luer, Pat Harding.
!
In just under a week Town have lost 5 points in the final few minutes of three games which would have made a huge difference to their chances of survival. Wednesday sees relegation fighters Three Bridges here attempting to leap-frog over Redhill whilst Town hope that we will get the results our improved play, hard work, and team spirit deserve.
EASTBOURNE TOWN 1-BURGESS HILL1
Burgess Hill Town missed the chance to close the gap to one point on the play offs as they had to settle for a point at bottom side Eastbourne Town.
Hill dominated possession throughout the game but failed to take the numerous chances before finally equalising as the clock ticked into injury time.
Pat Harding nearly gave the Hillians the lead in the 10th minute when Greg Luer's corner fell to Harding who's header was cleared off the line.
Eastbourne's prolific striker Billy Medlock had a first time effort beaten away by Hill keeper Tom Beadle but it was the visitors who continued to press for the opening goal.
There was a goal mouth scramble which home keeper Matthew Dann punched clear as the ball bobbled about the box but nobody could force it in.
Greg Luer saw his powerful strike go over after good work by skipper Darren Budd but it was the hosts who took the lead against the run of play with 6 minutes of the half remaining.
Former Hillian Tom Bold swung in a corner which was powerfully headed home from close range by Ryan Cooper.
Luer and Graham Martin both had efforts to equalise before the half ended.
Hillians showed their intent early on in the second half pressuring the hosts goal and when a shot hit the bar the ball was put back into the box but Dann punched clear.
This was followed shortly after by Harding who lobbed the keeper and the ball clipped the top of the bar and then a minute later Harding again went close when he hit the ball just over the bar from Paul Armstrong's cross.
With half an hour remaining Chris Breach had his effort from Luer's cross saved by the keepers legs and out for a corner which Spencer Slaughter headed wide.
Bold has the hosts only real effort of the half when his free kick was saved by Beadle.
With time running out sub Max Miller had a shot from just inside the box tipped out for a corner from which another sub, Scott Kirkwood, saw his diving header go straight into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper before Hill got the equalising goal they deserved.
Kirkwood's deep cross went to Breach who headed home to score his first goal for the Club and get the Hillians a point, which moves the Hillians up a place to sixth just three points behind Hastings in the final play off spot.
Hillians: Tom Beadle, Neil Watts, Sam Fisk, Stuart Tuck, Chris Breach, Graham Martin (Max Miller 65), Darren Budd, Spencer Slaughter (Scott Kirkwood 76), Paul Armstrong (Lee Harding 57), Greg Luer, Pat Harding.
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