Burgess Hill Town and Haywards Heath Town struggling to kick season into life
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It’s very early days but the two clubs’ pre-season hopes of having a serious push for promotion look a little optimistic so far.
Burgess Hill might have made progress in the FA Cup – in which they visit Corinthian-Casuals in this Saturday’s first qualifying round – but they sit bottom of the league table, pointless after four games.
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Hide AdOn Saturday Jay Lovett’s men travelled to Kent to play Chatham and were up against it from early on.
Emmanuel Oloyede and Jack Evans scored to put Chatham 2-0 up within half an hour and Hill struggled to get back into it despite plenty of effort.
They did eventually get one back, but that was not until the 90th minute, when Martyn Box was on target, and it was too little too late.
On bank holiday Monday, Hill hosted a Sussex derby at the More Than Tyres Stadium when promoted Littlehampton Town arrived, with a crowd of 535 present.
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Hide AdThe crucial moment came in the 17th minute when Hill conceded a penalty and had Reggie Ward sent off.
Former Hillian Scott Kirkwood put away the penalty and Lovett’s men had a mountain to climb.
As on Saturday, they battled hard but to no avail and their miserable afternoon was completed when Kieran Rowe put through his own goal to make it 2-0 13 minutes from time.
Lovett might be pleased of a break from league action now, with this Saturday’s FA Cup tie followed by an FA Trophy visit to Felixstowe and Walton on Saturday week.
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Hide AdHill’s next scheduled league fixture is not until Saturday, September 17, when they visit Whitehawk.
Not faring much better than Burgess Hill so far in league outings are Haywards Heath, who have just one point from their opening four matches.
On Saturday they lost 2-1 at home to Ramsgate.
Joshua Ajayi put the Rams in front on 24 minutes but Alahady Ibrahaim Jalloh equalised for Heath a few minutes into the second half.
Both sides pressed for the winner but it was the Kent side who got it, Jerald Aboagye clinching the three points with an 87th minute strike.
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