Toby House hat-trick secures league title for Burgess Hill Town Youth

On a dry, dusty pitch with little grass, control was always going to be difficult; but Hill started brightly and Toby House had a great chance to open his account in the 10 minute, but his shot went wide. Another good opportunity fell to Sam Murrell-Lemon in the 18 minute. A good passing move involving several players saw the ball arrive at Sam’s feet, but the ball bobbled just at the point of contact and his shot was mis-hit.

Hill did take the lead in the 26 minute. A corner from Guy Bolton was met with a powerful header by Keeley Johnson. His header crashed against the cross bar, Keeley was the first to react and turned the rebound into the net from 10 yards.

Hill increased their lead a minute later. A long kick out of hands, by goalkeeper Paul Woods, eluded the Three Bridges defence. Toby House raced onto the ball and calmly and skilfully passed the ball into the net past the advancing Three Bridges goalkeeper.

Hill were now rampant and further increased their lead three minutes later. A delightful through ball by Marc Di Lucia released Toby House into the inside left channel. Toby was quickly on to the ball and took his shot really early to score a wonderful goal from 25 yards leaving the goalkeeper no chance.

Toby House should have completed a first half hat-trick, when he had a great opportunity inside the penalty area, but his shot when high over the crossbar.

Paul Woods, a model of concentration, kept Hill’s clean sheet, with a fine save just before half time.

Not long into the second half Hill were awarded their first penalty of the season when Marc Di Lucia was upended inside the penalty area. Up steps Toby House for the chance of his hat trick. But his shot was well saved by Sam Jackson in the Three Bridges goal.

The game then became a bit scrappy as substitutions were made by both teams and the new players had to adjust to the surface. Hill still created chances and the tireless Charlie Townsend was so unlucky not to score on more than one occasion; he certainly deserved to score just for his efforts.

Toby House finally did get his deserved hat trick in the 82 minute. Yet again he was quickly onto a through ball, drew away from the challenging defenders, to coolly score off the post for his third goal of the game.

Three Bridges never gave up and scored a consolation goal in the 84 minute when substitute Connor Bishop scored from inside the area with a right foot shot.

Congratulations to the whole squad for a fantastic season. The boys have worked so hard to achieve their success and thoroughly deserve to be crowned league Champions.

Squad: Paul Woods, Billy Wraight, Elliot Dollner, Max Jeffery, Keeley Johnson, Curtis Griffin, Guy Bolton, Sam Murrell-Lemon, Toby House, Marc Di Lucia, Charlie Townsend, Oscar McConnell, Ben Whiteley, Jack Foyster.

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