Burgess Hill Town played in league action for the first time in 33 days and marked it with a five-star performance.

Manager Dean Cox was without suspended Martyn Box but he was able to call on Josh Spinks for the first time in the league this season as he returned from injury. New signing Mo Jammeh came straight into the starting XI and Dan Perry was named on the bench following his return from injury.

It took just two minutes for Rob O’Toole to open the scoring when he headed home off the post from a perfect cross by Kieron Pamment.

Merstham replied just 60 seconds later when a corner wasn’t dealt with and Andrew Mensah volleyed home giving James Shaw no chance.

It didn’t take long for the Hillians to re-take the lead as O’Toole got his second after 12 minutes. Pamment’s corner was headed across goal by Spinks for O’Toole to nod home from close range.

Merstham had a fierce strike well blocked before Jack Taylor smashed an effort over as it was a bit end to end but the Hillians extended their lead on 24 minutes.

Debutant Jammeh, who impressed all game, put it on a plate to Lewis Finney who skipped past one and slotted home past the keeper.

Hillians continued to attack, Jammeh played in the onrushing Nic D’Arienzo and his first time cross was almost deflected in by a visiting defender but it went for a corner which saw Spinks knock down for skipper Marcus Allen who couldn’t quite get his shot away.

It was nearly four just before half time and it could have been O’Toole’s hat-trick. Pamment got in behind and cut it back for O’Toole who smashed the ball just over. Following that both Pamment and Finney had half chances but the Hillians could go in at half time happy leading 3-1.

The second half was a lot more subdued as Hill remained in control. Finney beat the offside trap on 52 minutes but couldn’t beat Zack Basey from a tight angle and at the other end Shaw was called into action and he made a good save.

Taylor, not for the first time, bombarded forward and he unleashed an effort from 20 yards that went just wide whilst Jammeh fired over after 65 minutes.

On 81 minutes the game was wrapped up as sub Marcel Powell got the goal of the afternoon. Jammeh switched the ball to Powell who drove at the defence, cut inside and smashed his effort into the top corner.

Another sub, Perry, saw an effort saved before Powell put the icing on the cake on 89 minutes as Perry battled brilliantly and set up Powell who cut in and smashed his effort in off the post to send the crowd of 377 home very happy.

Hillians: James Shaw, Reggie Ward, Nic D’Arienzo, Jack Taylor (Finn Daniels-Yeoman 82), Marcus Allen, Josh Spinks, Rob O’Toole (Dan Perry 74), Kieran Rowe, Lewis Finney, Kieron Pamment (Marcel Powell 67), Mo Jammeh. Not used: Tyrese Mthunzi, Zack Lawrence.

Midfielder Mo Jammeh receives the Player of the Match award on his debut after a superb performance