Burgess Hill Town 1 Dulwich Hamlet 0

Burgess Hill Town 1 Dulwich Hamlet 0
Ryman Isthmian Division One
Saturday 12th February 2005

Strolling through a rather unlovely housing estate, one happens upon the arboreal splendour that is Leylands Park, home of Burgess Hill Town FC, small in stature but big in ambition as they challenge for a place in the end of season play-offs. Unfortunately, the surroundings provided little respite from the elements as the game matched its rustic surroundings, though more in part to a biting wind that swirled in from Siberia, snatches of the Internationale whispered in its howling gusts. Add to this a cloying flypaper of a pitch that constantly frustrated the participants’ attempts to play all but the most basic of football and it was little wonder that there was scant fare for spectators to feast upon. At least, given the conditions, the goal that won the game was a moment of pure quality but Dulwich will look back upon missing opportunities to have taken the points from their hosts.
Injuries still plagued the Dulwich management as they made their selections, Tom Ababio a ever capable replacement for the injured Gavin Dayes in the heart of defence, whilst the battling presence of Wade Falana was again missing in attack where Meshach Nugent partnered the prolific Charley Side in the vanguard.
Dulwich came to terms best with conditions early on with Nugent capitalising on a mistake in defence but electing to try to find Side rather than utilise the better option of a shot. A minute later and a Lee Akers freekick proved the catalyst for Side to chip in a cross for the head of Warren Burton, keeper Pat Gannon making a swift change of direction to gather the header.
Constant interruptions from referee Andy Legg’s whistle and the prevailing elements made for a fragmented game although Matt Geard did bring a smart save out of Paul Seuke as he struck a fierce low shot on the run only for the Dulwich custodian to dive full length to turn the ball past the foot of his right post. Moments later Burton fed Sebastion Schoburgh on the edge of the penalty area but his angle chip rode on the wind, clearing Gannon’s bar.
From here the game evaporated into stalemate and it was not until the closing stages of the half that Dulwich stepped up the pressure but after laying siege to the home goal, Hamlet could not force the ball home, Nugent meeting a curling cross from Jason Turley on the left only for a brace of defenders to block his shot from 8 yards out.
The second half followed a similar pattern as Hillians’ defensive steel stifled Dulwich’s attacking zeal though Side did strike a fierce effort just wide after capitalising on a defender’s slip and Ellis Conroy tried his luck only to see his effort sail over the crossbar.
A stunning save from Seuke to keep out a close range header from Lloyd Cotton drew admiring gasps for all round before Burgess Hill wasted a great opportunity as a freekick on the edge of the box was blasted wide.
Dulwich replaced the enigma that is Schoburgh with Francis Quarm as they again turned the tide back in their favour as they pushed keeper Gannon to the limit with a brace of vital saves inside five minutes. First Kenny Beaney released Side with a perfect pass but Gannon raced from his line to spread himself and divert Side’s goalbound shot over the bar courtesy of an outstretched boot. Side then put Nugent through, but the striker hesitated momentarily allowing Gannon to make a vital interception.
After such a battling performance, Dulwich’s failure to put away their chances as Hillians' Steve Harper, despite a niggling groin problem, showed why he leads the club’s goalscoring charts with a quality piece of poaching arriving first to divert substitute Neil Watts’ left wing cross low to the near post past Seuke. Soon after Harper threatened to double the lead but this time the Hamlet keeper made a telling save, diving full length to turn the effort behind.
Dulwich came back strongly in search of an equaliser but despite late pressure could find a route through to goal. Gannon again denied Side and the Hamlet had a good shout for a penalty as Side’s cross struck a defender’s outstretched hand but it was not to be.

Teams:
BHTFC: Pat Gannon; Lloyd Cotton; Ben Fillery; Matt Piper; Tom Edmonds; Kevin Townsend; Steve Harper (Owen Callaghan 90); Matt Geard (Neil Watts 56); Darragh Ryan; Leo Day (Capt.); Dave Soutar
Subs not used: Richard Greenfield; Darin Kilpatrick

DHFC: Paul Seuke; Lee Akers (Capt.); Jason Turley; Tom Ababio; Danny Twin; Ellis Conroy (Marlon Patterson 87); Warren Burton; Charley Side; Meshach Nugent; Kenny Beaney; Sebastion Schoburgh (Francis Quarm 69)
Subs not used: Danny Ward; Nicolas Plumain; Alex O’Brien

Officials:
Referee: Andy Legg
Assistant Referees: Mark Wood & Graham Kendall

Scoring:
BHTFC: 1-0 Steve Harper 82 minutes
Attendance: 249