Three goals in the first 14 minutes of the second half saw Burgess Hill Town sweep aside Sheppey United at an entertaining afternoon at the HomeCall Carpets Community Stadium in a match sponsored by Frontline Automation.

The win made it 11 games unbeaten and the Hillians were cheered on by a bumper crowd of 621 including 70 sponsors who enjoyed a sit down meal and hospitality before the game.

It was fifth versus sixth as the Hillians went into the game one place and one point ahead of their visitors. Managers Gary Mansell and Jay Lovett were without Ben Pope due to a one game suspension so Alex Brewer, who hit the equalising goal last weekend against Margate, came in. The only other change from the draw at Margate saw Joe Overy come in for Stefan Vukoje who was recalled to his parent club Eastbourne Borough for the afternoon.

The game had few chances in the opening 20 minutes but the Hillians had a great chance to break the deadlock as Kieran Rowe wins the ball, drives forward and cuts it back for Brannon O’Neill who is wiped out by former Hillian Jordy Ndozid for a penalty. O’Neill stepped up to take the spot kick but it was brilliantly saved by Aidan Prall.

The game continued with few chances for either side. On 35 minutes the ball came to Reggie Ward who has a wack from distance that forces Prall into a flying save. Straight down the other end, Sheppey hit us on the break and the danger man Jacob Lambert sets up Moumi Goueth who smashes inches wide as the half ended goalless and even.

At half time Chris Whelpdale was replaced by Noah Hoffman after picking up a knock.

It was a fantastic start to the second half as Hill took the lead just a minute in. A long is played over the top and left back Reggie Ward is on the end of it, he has his back to goal, and fires and smashed into the bottom corner.

5 minutes later and it was two as Ward had a shot which is hand-balled and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. This time it was Brewer who stepped up and he sends Prall the wrong way to double our lead.

The excellent start to the half continued as Hill made it 3-0 on 59 minutes as the Hill were flying. Skipper O’Neill cut inside and drives with the ball before unleashing a 25 yard rocket which Prall had no chance and the ball soared into the top corner.

On 74 minutes Sheppey get in down the left and cut it back, it’s flying goalwards and the excellent Ward produces a goalsaving block.

Marcus Allen and Harry Lawson were brought on as they returned from injuries to give the management team more options. Elliott Bresciani also came on as all 5 subs were used.

Damien Theodore almost make it 4 as the substitute fired a screamer that curled inches past the post on 86 minutes. It should have been 4 soon after as an awful back pass which saw Rowe latch onto – Prall gets something on his effort and it trickles past the post. Hoffman almost put the cherry on the cake but his effort rattled the post.

The game ended with a big cheer from the big crowd as the Hillians remained in the play-offs and opened a four point gap between Erith Town and Sheppey United just outside the play-off positions on an excellent day for the Club. Match sponsors Frontline Automation awarded Reggie Ward the man of the match after an excellent display and goal.

Hill: Slav Huk, Hamish Morrison, Reggie Ward, Brannon O’Neill (Harry Lawson 81), Nathan Cooper (Marcus Allen 76), Alex Malins, Ollie Davies, Kieran Rowe, Alex Brewer (Elliott Bresciani 83), Chris Whelpdale (Noah Hoffman 46), Joe Overy (Damien Theodore 69).