Burgess Hill Town FC produced a smash and grab win as two late goals secured an important three points at a sunny HomeCall Carpets Community Stadium on Saturday. 

It looked as if the visitors, Phoenix Sports, were going to pick up a much needed three points in their battle with survival from relegation but Stefan Vukoje two minutes before the end and then Nathan Cooper in injury time saw the Hillians steal the points which was harsh on Sports.

Bosses Gary Mansell and Jay Lovett made two changes from the starting XI that beat Herne Bay the week before as Reggie Ward came in for Bobby Price and Ben Pope for the injured Jay Beckford.

It was a slow start from the Hillians in the opening 20 minutes with the visitors looking right up for it. Ben Pope had our first effort with a shot on 22 minutes which didn’t trouble Sports.

On 28 minutes Sports took the lead as the Hillians didn’t clear a ball and it eventually rattles around and finds Cameron Andrews, on his debut, who thumps one into the bottom corner from distance with a great finish. 

Hillians got a big let off as Sports should have been 2-0 up as Jerson Dos Santos is through one on one but he hits his effort straight at Slav Huk in the Hillians goal.

Hill’s best chances came from corners. Firstly Cooper heads it back across goal but it’s cleared by Sports and on the stroke of half time Chris Whelpdale saw his header palmed away by former Hillians stopper Sam Freeman. 

The second carried on in much the same vein. Phoenix threatened twice with Ahkeem Belford firing a cross from Tyler Anderson over and then a cross to the back post is met with a strong header from Will Efambe but a flying Huk made a terrific save. 

On 62 minus the Hill had a good chance as a corner comes to Whelpdale who overhead kicks it onto the roof of the net. Soon after Marcus Allen heads straight at the GK from a cross. 

Hill made a few changes with Brannon O’Neill, Stefan Vukofe and Bobby Price entering the action and it livened the Hillians up. O’Neill had a shot well blocked before the ball was scambled clear by the visitors. 

With two minutes remaining the Hillians got themselves on level terms as O’Neill gets a ball out of his feet and lays it off to Vukoje who absolutely thumps it into the bottom corner. 

With the Hillians looking like they had got out of jail to get a point out of the match the Leylands Park outfit went and won it. Martyn Box’s deep cross was met brilliantly by Cooper who volleyed the ball home to send the home fans wild and break Phoenix’s heart. 

It was a real smash and grab win for the Hillians and goalscorer Cooper, who clearly likes a goal against Phoenix after scoring twice against them earlier in the season, was awarded the Brickworks Player of the Match by match sponsors LRG Group. 

Up next for the Hillians is two away games. On Wednesday it’s off to East Grinstead and then off to AFC Croydon Athletic on Saturday. We return to Leylands Park on Saturday 12th April against Deal Town. 

Hill: Slav Huk, Reggie Ward, Hamish Morrison, Ryan Worrall, Nathan Cooper, Marcus Allen (Logan Dobbs 92), Joe Overy (Bobby Price 74), Kieran Rowe, Ben Pope (Stefan Vukoje 62), Chris Whelpdale (Brannon O’Neill 62), Martyn Box. Not used: Harry Lawson.

Brickworks Player of the Match: Nathan Cooper