FA CUP: Burgess Hill Town 0 Dartford 1 - Hillians' dreams shattered through early goal

Burgess Hill's Town's dreams of reaching the first round of the FA Cup were ended by a single-goal defeat at home to division-higher Dartford.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Oct 2017, 01:04 BST
Updated 12th Dec 2017, 11:07 BST
Bumper crowd at the Green Elephants Stadium watching Burgess Hill Town take on Dartford in the FA Cup. Picture by Graham CarterBumper crowd at the Green Elephants Stadium watching Burgess Hill Town take on Dartford in the FA Cup. Picture by Graham Carter
Bumper crowd at the Green Elephants Stadium watching Burgess Hill Town take on Dartford in the FA Cup. Picture by Graham Carter

The Darts took the lead in the eighth minute when Alfie Pavey put away from short-range after an initial attempt by Tom Murphy was spilled by keeper Max Huxter.

Ian Chapman made four changes to the side which had lost 5-0 at Lowestoft last weekend.

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New signing Javier Faveral made his debut, goalkeeper Hunter, James Richmond and Hakeem Adalakun were preferred to James Shaw, Cheik Toure, Brannon O'Neill and Brandon Diau.

The players are on the pitch just before kick-off at the sunny Green Elephants stadium for Burgess Hill Town v Dartford Picture by Graham CarterThe players are on the pitch just before kick-off at the sunny Green Elephants stadium for Burgess Hill Town v Dartford Picture by Graham Carter
The players are on the pitch just before kick-off at the sunny Green Elephants stadium for Burgess Hill Town v Dartford Picture by Graham Carter

Hillians took their time to make an impact but threatened to equalise when Hakeem Adelakun hit a powerful shot wide from long-range.

The Darts looked dangerous when they pressed forward and skipper Ellliott Bradbrook went close with a header from a corner kick.

Burgess Hill found it hard to get a grip on the game in the first half but did have a good move when Pat Harding set-up Lee Harding for a shot from a good position which flew over the bar.

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Pat Harding had a great turn and shot which went on target but keeper Deren Ibrahim was left with an easy catch.

The players are on the pitch just before kick-off at the sunny Green Elephants stadium for Burgess Hill Town v Dartford Picture by Graham CarterThe players are on the pitch just before kick-off at the sunny Green Elephants stadium for Burgess Hill Town v Dartford Picture by Graham Carter
The players are on the pitch just before kick-off at the sunny Green Elephants stadium for Burgess Hill Town v Dartford Picture by Graham Carter

In the second half Hill were first out of the blocks with Aaron Smith-Joseph having a shot deflected over the bar.

A Lee Harding corner was headed agonisingly wide by skipper Gary Elphick as Hill pressed for an equaliser.

At the other end Andy Pugh fired a powerful shot which forced a fine save by keeper Huxter.

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With three minutes to go Hill's James Richmond almost took the ball over his own goalline when cutting out a break-way attack launched as Town threw men forward.

HILLIANS: Huxter, Diallo, Daveral, Elphick (capt), Richmond, Fisk, P.Harding (Nezval 68), Adelakun (Diau 71), L.Harding, Smith-Joseph (Toure 81), TaylorUnused subs: Bennett, Cook, Shaw

DARTFORD: Ibrahim, Harris, Wood, Bonner, Sho-Silva, Noble, Haynes (Brown 80), Bradbrook (capt), Pavey (Mfula 63), Pugh, Murphy (Della-Verde 71)Unused subs: Vint, Coxall, Fulton

REFEREE: Lloyd WoodATTENDANCE: 873

Related topics:Burgess HillDartsBurgess Hill Town