The spoils were shared in Mid Sussex as a superb late free kick from Matt Drage levelled it up late on for Merstham.

The two slides had already drawn in the league this season with Merstham coming back to equalise in a 2-2 draw in Surrey earlier in the season and once again they came from behind to take a point in a 1-1 draw.

Manager’s Gary Mansell and Jay Lovett made 6 changes from the midweek draw with Eastbourne Town with Bobby Price, Nathan Cooper, Alex Malins, Stefan Vukoje, Brannon O’Neill and Joe Overy coming into the starting XI.

Merstham probably had the better of the first half but quality chances were few and far between. Ryan Worrall had a couple of chances whilst Slav Huk made a good save to deny the Moatsiders. 

The crowd of 425 had to wait until the 41st minute to see the first goal as Hill captain Brannon O’Neill converted a low cross after a plethora of chances came for Hill in that same attack. 

Burgess Hill were much improved after the break and if it wasn’t for visiting GK, Rob Tolfrey, Hill would have won this comfortably. O’Neill this time was denied superbly before Nathan Cooper was as well as the Hill pushed to no avail to double the lead. That was crucial with 9 minutes to go as Merstham won a free kick and CB Matt Drage stepped up to thunder one into the top corner to gain Merstham a good point in Sussex.

Match sponsors Fraserwood Construction voted Chris Whelpdale as man of the match. 

Hill: Huk, Morrison, Price (Lawson 79), Worrall, Cooper, Malins, Vukoje (Perry 88), Rowe, Whelpdale, O’Neill (Pope 75), Overy (Ward 58). Not used: Allen

Brickworks Man of the Match: Chris Whelpdale