An incredible evening saw the brilliant Hillians U18’s go through to the second round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in the Club’s History with a thrilling penalty shootout win after a 2-2 draw and all this despite going down to 10 men early in the second half.

It was a very edgy game to start off with, Hill had their patterns of play and as did Maidenhead as well but it was Maidenhead who take early advantage thanks to them being awarded a penalty 7 minutes into the game which was converted to make it 1-0, not an ideal start for the Hill.

Then throughout the first half Hill had some great chances and they were playing some great football on the pitch and around the opposition. Then it clicked on around the 30 minute mark. Great work from Damien Theodore to go past his defender right hand side of the box. He was brought down and the referee pointed to the spot, Koby Farrell stepped up to take the penalty and cooly converted it by sending the keeper the wrong way to make it one one at the break.

As the second half began both teams were playing great patterns, once again both teams having some great chances and then once again that man Damien Theodore stepped up. As a corner was won and it was delivered in and cleared out by Maidenhead straight to Damien who took a couple of touches and smashed it past the goalkeeper who didn’t move, 2-1 to the Hill after 54 minutes. After this Hill were under the pump again, as Maidenhead scored however they thought they did but they hadn’t as the linesman ruled it out for offside ,score stayed as 2-1 to hill. Then around the 65th to 70th minute mark disaster struck for the hill as the Maidenhead striker was played through on goal and our centre back fouled him and was deemed to be the last man and denying a goal scoring opportunity so he was unfortunately sent off.

Now the Hill were really under the pump. The management made changes and the boys kept a great shape for the 20 minutes of the match and we created chances to put the game to bed despite being down to 10 men. But unfortunately the pressure was put on by Maidenhead and with 1 min to go they took a long shot which the Hill goalkeeper failed to gather the as Maidenhead joyously stabbed home two two.

Burgess Hill played throughout the extra time halves with great pressure and motivation to try and win the game. They definitely had the chances with several players going close, which was very frustrating but positive to see throughout the 30 minutes.

Penalties

In front of a noisy crowd, mostly down to the youth from Maidenhead and the noise as well from the Burgess Hill support behind the goal, this was going to be close.

Burgess Hill scored their first 2 penalties as did Maidenhead United after 2 each, but then the pressure of the cup tie came on to both teams as both teams missed pens but thanks to the Hill goalkeeper Sonni Nealgrove saving not 1, not 2, but 3 penalties in a row to win the tie for the 18s.

Huge thanks to Maidenhead for hosting and good luck for the season. Also huge messages of thanks to all the travelling support. As to the Man of the Match the whole squad were quite magnificent on the night. However the game turned on two exquisite pieces of play. Both were provided by Damien Theodore.

Report from Bowman and Sharma 8/11/24.