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JPMT. Burgess Hill v Dulwich Hamlet
A second successive home draw was once again a story of what might have for Hillians although non-partisans in a season’s best crowd of 265 will not argue as a pulsating game provided wonderful entertainment.
And striker Pat Harding also will not be complaining as he took his tally to 11 goals in five games unbeaten for the hosts.
It was also all seven of his side’s goals in the last two games. The first was a stunning half volley finish, the second a well struck penalty and the third he could not have known much about as it bounced in off him from Toby Phillips’ set-piece header.
Hillians oozed confidence from the start despite facing equally buoyant opposition who arrived two places above them in third place.
It was against the run of play when Dulwich went ahead from a penalty on 19 minutes. Home boss Ian Chapman thought it harsh and no doubt Neil Watts thought it even harsher as he was also booked for the challenege before Dulwich’s star playmaker and leading scorer Erhun Oztumer dispatched the spot kick in emphatic style.
After that the visitors looked to have the edge for a while until things turned late in the half. Omar Bugiel was involved in both goals that came in the space of less than four minutes.
First his intended pass deflected off a defender for Harding to score with a great half volley from the angle and then it was Bugiel who was brought down by Lewis Gonsalves to allow Harding to score from the spot. Unfortunately for Hillians the lead lasted only three minutes as Gonsalves made swift atonement by equalising from a corner in the 42nd minute.
In the second half Hillians made most of the running and restored the lead on 68 minutes, albeit in slightly fortunate circumstances.
They deserved it after both Bugiel and Sam Fisk pulled good saves from Dulwich keeper Phil Wilson but again the lead was shortlived as two minutes later former Charlton youngster Oztumer curled in a free kick from way out on the right.
No doubt home keeper Mark Zawadski would have been disappointed with that and a couple of his other contributions in a somewhat hesitant performance although he did pull off one particularly good save in each half.
Probably few would argue with a share of the spoils and that counted for home boss Chapman even though he thought his side did just enough to take all three points and continues to be delighted with their effort and the quality of football.
Replacement referee Neil West was less impressive, at one point issuing three cards in as many minutes for what looked combative but fair challenges.
Hillians: Zawadski; Watts, Pointing, PhilIips, Fisk; Bugiel, Cotton, Akehurst, Budd, Wheeler; Harding. Subs: C Gaylor (Wheeler, 14), Bichard (Bugiel, 70).
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Weather for Haywards Heath
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
