On a very clear but chilly Monday evening Burgess Hill 18s took the local trip down to the Enclosed ground to face Whitehawk 18s in the Isthmain youth league cup.

After the opening 15 minutes it was a very edgey affair, both teams trying to play their own patterns. Whitehawk had a shot that hit the crossbar 12 minutes in from a corner which bounced to safety. Then minutes before half time Whitehawk prevented a Burgess Hill counter attack. Whitehawk would have been disappointed with the chances they had, that it stayed level at halftime. The visitors hadn’t quite got into the game.

0-0 halftime

In the 51st minute Whitehawk were awarded a penalty after good work by their number 9 who was brought down just inside the box. Nealgrove guessed the right way with the penalty and it is saved. Sonni is fast becoming a penalty saving specialist! However, disaster struck in the 59th minute when Whitehawk went 1-0 up thanks to Erskine. Great work by Khedidji who beat defenders in the box and cut the ball back to find a teammate which was then deflected into the path of Erskine who’s shot on goal was deflected before creeping in. With 20 mins to go Hill enjoyed their best spell of the game. Whitehawk would have indebted to their keeper who made three excellent saves. An 80th min cross which agonisingly struck the cross bar was closest Hill got to an equaliser. Even Sonni marauding in the Whitehawk box for the last mins couldn’t force penalties.

Full time 1-0 win to Whitehawk

Credit to them for their performance they were the deserved winners, all the best in the next round and see you guys very soon.

Burgess Hill 18s next game is at home this Thursday 14th (7:30 kick off), home to Bognor Regis 18s in the league.
Come down to support Adie, Bertie, Ross and the boys, support always appreciated.