Burgess Hill 1 Rams 2

A brilliant first half attacking display and a wonder save from Danny Twyman earned the Rams three deserved points at Burgess Hill. Michael Yianni retained his place at right back as Jim Ward kept faith with the starting eleven that performed so brilliantly at Cray, 11 days earlier.

The Rams started quickly with a Joe Taylor cross in the 3^rd minute almost producing an own goal through desperation but the 8^th minute retaliation was quick to arrive, Danny Twyman saving smartly from Lloyd Cotton’s deflected shot. A header from Pascal Ebigbo, giving the Hillians defence plenty to think about on both wings, was just over on 11 before Pat Harding gave the home team the lead with a lob that beat Twyman after driving through the Rams’ defence. However at this stage Mark Lovell, having his best game for some while, was causing havoc, harrying the home defence who were panicked into giving away a handball penalty on 20, which Lovell drove home. Ben Laslett and Simon Pettit were now dominating the midfield with all-action displays and the home ‘keeper did well to pull off a double save from Taylor and Lovell after a great through ball from Laslett. The 33^rd minute produced a great diving left handed save by Twyman after Hillians’ Cotton had looked certain to score with a well placed header. The move of the match came on 42 when Joe Taylor passed to Ebigbo whose accurate centre was headed home by Lovell who followed the ball into the net.

After the excitement of the 1^st half the second was a much more dour affair. Taylor was substituted on 54 as his long running feud with home No10 Fred Foreman threatened to bring action from the Ref. Despite having a lot of territorial advantage the Hillians were only able to muster one shot on goal in the half as the Rams’ defence held firm. Late substitutions gave the Rams a second wind as the home side tired. Warren Schulz was just over from another Ebigbo centre on 82 and a Tom Chapman cameo produced a superb run that culminated in a shot that was just wide.

Att 120.

Rams: Danny Twyman, Michael Yianni, James Gregory, Luke Wheatley, Liam Quinn (c), Ben Laslett, Pascal Ebigbo, Simon Pettit (Warren Schulz 80), Mark Lovell (Tom Chapman 85), Joe Taylor (Mitchell Sherwood 54), Steve O’Brien. Unused Subs: Ollie Gray, Josh Mattless.