Burgess Hill Town progressed in the FA Trophy and entered the hat for Monday’s draw following a penalty shootout win over Potters Bar Town.

With the score at 1-1 after 90 minutes the game went straight to penalties and the Hill won 4-3 against their fellow Isthmian Premier side at a very windy Medical Travel Compared Stadium.

New signing Glen Rea went straight into the starting XI. The former Luton Town man who joined after leaving Worthing recently was one of 5 changes. Alex Malins came in for his first start of the season as did Stefan Vukoje who returned to the club last week whilst Martyn Box and Bobby Price came back from illness and suspension respectively.

Hill went close after just three minutes as as a corner was met by Rea but his header went onto the roof of the net.

The wind was causing havoc from set pieces as Hill continued to have a few early half chances. Josh Spinks nodded down a corner but Ben Pope hooked it into the GK’s arms. Chris Whelpdale then headed straight at Fred Burbidge.

On 21 minutes the Hillians took the lead when Box laid it off to Pope who hits a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area. A great strike to open the scoring.

The lead though only lasted 60 seconds as Josh Hutchinson headed the Scholars level from a cross from the right.

Alfie Mansell made a good double save before Spinks cleared off the line to keep the score level.

Hill were playing against the wind and were struggling to clear lines with the ball flying back towards goal. Potters Bar smashed one just over from the edge. Then the hosts give it away on the edge of their own box but the Scholars put it wide.

Whelpdale found space and smashed an effort over the bar either side of chances for the visitors which saw them twice curl efforts over the bar as the sides went in level at the break.

The visitors started the second half brightly and had a few half chances. Hills first real effort in the second came on 65 minutes as Vukoje was slipped in but he puts it over.

Sub Tom Chalaye was played in by fellow sub Harry Lawson but he sticks it just wide.

Mansell made a great save with ten minutes remaining then launches one down field for Chalaye who forced a great save.

The game went straight to penalties with Hill winning the shootout 4-3. Ryan Worrall, Chalaye, Rea and Rowe all scoring with Mansell making a great save in the shootout.

Next up for the Hillians is more cup action with Broadbridge Heath coming the MTC  (Sussex Senior Cup – Tues 7th) and then Hashtag United in the league on Saturday 11th.

Hill: Alfie Mansell, Hamish Morrison, Bobby Price (Reggie Ward 63), Glen Rea, Josh Spinks, Alex Malins (Marcus Allen 70), Stefan Vukoje, Kieran Rowe, Chris Whelpdale (Tom Chalaye 63), Ben Pope (Ryan Worrall 70), Martyn Box (Harry Lawson 70).