Billingshurst pick up 'a great point against a top side' in eight-goal thriller

Richard Midadje praised Billingshurst for taking ‘a great point against a top side’ after his side played out an entertaining 4-4 home draw with AFC Varndeanians on Saturday in Division 1.
By Matt Pole
Published 15th Apr 2019, 16:45 BST
Updated 15th Apr 2019, 16:52 BST
Nick Tilley (right) struck with seven minutes to go to secure a point for Billingshurst in a highly entertaining 4-4 draw with AFC Varndeanians. All pictures by Steve Robards.Nick Tilley (right) struck with seven minutes to go to secure a point for Billingshurst in a highly entertaining 4-4 draw with AFC Varndeanians. All pictures by Steve Robards.
Nick Tilley (right) struck with seven minutes to go to secure a point for Billingshurst in a highly entertaining 4-4 draw with AFC Varndeanians. All pictures by Steve Robards.

An early strike from Nick Tilley put the hosts ahead before Ollie Blackman instantly equalised.

Joe Keehan and Matt Waterman gave the visitors a half-time lead but a Ben Hands double brought the game back to 3-3 on 75 minutes.

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George Warren put Varndeanians ahead just a minute later but Tilley’s second goal, with seven minutes remaining, saw the spoils shared.

Ben Hands (right) bagged himself a double during the 4-4 draw.Ben Hands (right) bagged himself a double during the 4-4 draw.
Ben Hands (right) bagged himself a double during the 4-4 draw.

Midadje said: “We started great but Vardeanians applied pressure and we struggled to match their experience.

“We gave the ball away in our defensive third on a couple of occasions and only had our keeper Martin Hopkins to thank for making a crucial saves.

“A half-time speech advising our players to admire the opposition’s experience and organisation galvanised the boys to turn in a performance of great potential.

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“It was an exciting game and the team showed great effort and composure to not drop their heads. It was a great point against a top side.”

Hurst's Jeffrey Mahadoo.Hurst's Jeffrey Mahadoo.
Hurst's Jeffrey Mahadoo.

SEE ALSO Midadje bemoans Billingshurst's 'profligacy in front of goal' in defeat to basement-side Worthing United | ‘Delighted’ Billingshurst unveil facility upgrades with Brighton & Hove Albion friendly | New Billingshurst boss Midadje impressed by club's potential but wants players to show hunger and desireHurst opened the scoring on two minutes after a free-kick was knocked down for Tilley to slot home.

The visitors needed just two minutes to respond as Blackman finished from a corner.

Heavy Varndeanians pressure saw a penalty awarded after a shove in the box on 29 minutes, and Keehan duly dispatched the spot-kick.

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Three minutes before the break and a good passing move ended with Waterman tucking away to make it 3-1.

Ben Hands battles for the ball.Ben Hands battles for the ball.
Ben Hands battles for the ball.

Inspired by Midadje’s half-time team talk, Hurst levelled the game up after 75 minutes thanks to Hands’ double-salvo.

The visitors went ahead again just a minute later but, at the death, Tilley was on hand to tap home from six-yards out to bag a point for Midadje’s side.

Billingshurst travel to Southwick on Saturday.

Hurst: Hopkins, Court, Collier, Bowles, Sleat, Luzinda, Beck, Mahadoo, Hands, Tilley, Chadwick. Subs: Kaboggoza, Scarff-Cody.

Related topics:BillingshurstDivision 1