VCD ATHLETIC 2 BURGESS HILL TOWN 2

The Vickers were the better side for long periods in the first half of this match, and after going ahead early, came close to adding to the score before Burgess Hill got a foothold on the game. The first chance of the match came when Ashley Probets whipped in a corner that Donavan Simmonds met with a firm header, only to see the ball cleared off the line, but after more pressing the hosts took the lead with a fine strike. A deft through ball from Ritchie Graham set Simmonds clear down the left flank, where he cut inside before sending a curling shot across keeper Josh James into the top corner to break the deadlock. Then Richard Avery sent Nigel Neita clear down the left where got past Toby Pointing and crossed low and hard across the 6 yard box, but the ball just eluded the onrushing Kojo Awotwi who was inches away from making it 2-0. VCD were enjoying territorial advantage and with Ricardo Joseph and Joe Bruce commanding at the back the visitors were unable to test home keeper Callum Thomas. A great run out of defence by Mathias Bakare saw him use his pace to skip past three defenders before squaring to Simmonds, but his goal-bound effort was blocked. The Vickers were looking to go to the break ahead, but in the last minute of the half were punished when a long throw reached Town skipper Darren Budd, who had time to turn and curl a low shot past Thomas into the bottom corner.
At the start of the second period VCD had another chance on goal when Nigel Neita went on another mazy run down the left, going past two defenders, before again firing across the 6 yard box, but nobody was able to get the final touch. Then the Vickers were stunned when Callum Saunders got into the box where he was blocked by Ashley Probets, and as the ball ran loose to Chris Smith, Probets, with his second tackle, was adjudged to have fouled his man and Joe Keenan slotted home the resulting penalty. Lee Harding then had a chance to increase Burgess Hill’s lead when he battled his way into the area, but Callum Thomas did well to get down low to his firmly struck shot. Town were beginning to have the better of things, but as the half wore on VCD were again creating chances as the minutes ticked by. Richard Avery missed a great chance to head home when Neita’s ball in just eluded him then, from Bakare’s long throw the ball fell to Lheureux Menga whose shot on the turn brought a fine reflex save from James. With just two minutes left on the clock the Vickers finally got a well warranted equaliser when Bakare’s free kick into the box from the right reached Menga, where he was flattened by Andy Pearson and a penalty awarded. Substitute Mark Nwokeji took responsibility and struck the spot kick firmly past James to earn VCD a deserved share of the points.

VCD Athletic: Thomas, Bakare, Probets, Avery, Bruce, Joseph, Graham (Nwokeji 75), Tejaiye,
Neita, Simmonds (Menga 80), (Tchonang 90), Awotwi

Subs not used: Budd, Brickwood

Attendance: 105