MATCH REPORT: UNITED 1-0 BURGESS HILL | 4/11/23

ASHFORD UNITED 1 BURGESS HILL TOWN 0
By Keith Masters

Pitching In Isthmian League | Match 8
Date - Sat | Nov 4th
Opposition - Burgess Hill Town
Venue - Homelands
Referee - Aaron Conn
Attendance - 406
Half-Time: United 1-0 Burgess Hill
Full-Time: Uniteds 1-0 Burgess Hill

Ashford United celebrated their return to The Homelands with a win over close rivals Burgess Hill Town. With a performance which was more convincing than the score line might suggest.

The magnificent new pitch at The Homelands had suffered heavy rain over the days running up to the match and, indeed up to and including the kick off.
The two teams took time to adjust to the difficult conditions which made the opening exchanges rather circumspect and the first meaningful chance came in the 36th minute and fell to the visitors when good work on the left by Mo Jammeh saw his centre headed just over the bar.

Shortly afterwards some excellent work by Vance Bola found Ian Draycott whose long range effort was easily saved by goalkeeper James Shaw.

Ashford United took the lead just before half time. Vance Bola was causing problems for the Burgess Hill defence and his very clever play allowed him to turn his opponent and score in the right hand corner of the net.

Burgess Hill could have been level just after half time, when a move which emanated from a poor corner, taken by the hosts, allowed Marcel Powell the opportunity of running the length of the pitch before crossing the ball to a colleague whose effort from almost point blank range was brilliantly saved by Jacob Russell.

Ashford United continued to press and an effort from Noah Carney, making a welcome return from injury, was well saved by keeper Shaw and a curling lob from Vance Bola rebounded off the crossbar.

A good all round performance by Ashford United worthy of acclaim.
Star Man - Vance Bola
Entertainment value ***
The Gaffers MOTM - Mark Reed