Burgess Hill saw the timely return of 5 regular faces from unavailability for this one and also included an exciting trialist who certainly took his opportunity.

Ben Pope had Hill’s first effort as he glanced a header narrowly wide before the mentioned trialist struck a fierce left footed effort which had to be parried for another corner.

The early pressure continued for the Isthmian side as Hamish Morrison burst in behind and cut the ball back for the waiting captain, Brannon O’Neill but on his right foot, he could only scoop over.

 Reward for our good start came in the 34th minute, when a corner was swung in and the referee spotted an infringement in the area and immediately pointed to the spot. Burgess Hill had missed 4 consecutive penalties but Ben Pope ensured it was not to be 5 as he cooly stroked the ball past the GK who dived the wrong way.

HT: 0-1.

 The first half momentum carried onto the 2nd half as Pope was slipped in by Trialist but he dragged an effort inches past the post.

1 did swiftly become 2, six minutes after the restart as O’Neill played in this attacking trialist and he kept his cool to slot past the Eastbourne GK.

The Hillians made 5 changes on the hour mark and that seemed to caused slight confusion in the defensive rearguard as Eastbourne pounced on a loose ball in the box to half the deficit.

That sparked the game into life from a competitive point of view, with Eastbourne now pressing for a leveller. This gave Hill chances on the break, Tom Chalaye headed a Martyn Box cross straight at the GK, before Kieran Rowe was played clean through but didn’t beat the GK before the Trialist had a curling effort very well saved.

From the resulting corner, Marcus Allen had a header blocked on the line and Josh Spinks somehow smashed the rebound wide.

There was still time for this trialist to dance through the defence again but his effort whipped just wide.

The friendly ended in odd circumstances as an Eastbourne defender was given a red card for something he said to the referee.

FT: 1-2.

A fantastic set up at Eastbourne Utd with a welcoming clubhouse and brilliant 3G pitch, we thank them for hosting and wish them well in the SCFL.

We are back in action as we visit Havant & Waterlooville Saturday August 2nd, 3pm KO.