Sub-edited by Tom Cunningham
Hello and welcome to the TerraPura Ground, home of Whitehawk F.C. Tonight they host Burgess Hill in this Isthmian League South East clash. My name is James Bishop and I’ll be taking you through all the action.
Whitehawk come into this game off the back of a 1-0 home win against East Grinstead Town. Burgess Hill also have a previous win under their belt with a 4-2 away win against Ramsgate. Both teams are sitting towards the bottom of the table so it could be a cagey one to spectate.
Both sets of fans have their drums out so no matter the result I think we’re in for some good atmosphere. There’s also a strict no-swearing policy here so it’s feels like a brilliant place to be in.
Your team sheets are here…
The teams are walking out and we’re almost ready to go.
And we are underway…
[5] Chance!
The home side are the first to threaten after Whitehawk’s number five, Mo Kamara, sends a ball over the top to Henry Muggeridge, who latches on before firing his attempt well over the bar.
[7] JUST WIDE!
This time we’re down the other end with Burgess Hill’s number 10, Lewis Finney, firing a half volley attempt towards goal. However, he sees his shot flash narrowly wide of the Whitehawk post.
[17] Chance!
End to end action here as it’s Whitehawk with a free-kick on the right side just on the edge of the box. Lawson strikes the ball towards goal, however it is beaten away comfortably by the man between the Burgess Hill sticks, Taylor Seymour.
With the lack of swearing in the stands, fans must resort to other means of distracting players as a Whitehawk fan compliments the blue shirt that Seymour is wearing in the Burgess Hill goal this evening. Reports say it compliments his eyes.
[23] WELL SAVED!
We’re not being spoilt for action early in today’s game as Burgess Hill are next to test the Whitehawk goalkeeper. Connor Tighe finds himself with a chance in on goal, however his shot is brilliantly saved at close range by Stroomberg.
[26] OFF THE BAR!
Tighe threatens again as he plays a short corner with Finney. He curls a cross in deep from the right side, however, he can only watch on as his effort cannons off the Whitehawk bar.
[35] Chance!
It’s a night for the goalkeepers so far. Finney wriggles his way into the Whitehawk area and fires a shot towards goal. Stroomerg denies the opener with only five yards between the two. Excellent Save.
[36] ANOTHER SAVE!
If the keepers keep this up, we’re not going to see a goal tonight. This time it’s Seymour called into action. Splatt latches onto a ball over the top of the Burgess Hill defence, however, his effort his saved with the feet of the keeper.
[41] Chance!
Seymour is once more in the way of Whitehawk breaking the deadlock as he denies Muggeridge who fires a shot from range. The Burgess Hill keeper is quick to it and palms it aside at full stretch.
HALF-TIME! Whitehawk 0-0 Burgess Hill
A brilliant affair so far for the neutral viewer. It’s been one for the goalkeepers to enjoy so far as they’ve both had plenty of action. A goal shouldn’t be too far behind if both sides can keep their chances up.
I believe it’s time to try the Whitehawk hospitality, we’re heading in to see what they’ve got…
Our sides are back out and ready to get going again…
Second-half
A quiet opening to the half so far I’m afraid, nothing to report. Food was good though… solid 7/10!
[64] Chance!
Some action! Whitehawk’s Lambert wins the ball in midfield and makes a dart down the right. His cross into the area isn’t latched onto by Muggerudge, but still manages to find Okoh at the far post. He watches his effort fly into the strong hands of Seymour.
[66] Burgess Hill Substitution: Harding ON, Finney OFF
[70] Yellow Card!
Okoh is booked for quite literally ‘two-footing’ Miller on the right-hand side. Deservedly so, the referee brandishes a card.
[71] Whitehawk Substitution: Fraser ON, Okoh OFF
I must say this half is no where near as exciting as the first. Being in amongst the Whitehawk ultras is keeping me entertained, however.
The Whitehawk Ultras…
[78] Yellow Card!
Another yellow as Emberson is penalised for a dreadful lunge in on Perez. The challenges are frequent, but the goals definitely are not.
Possibly the most exciting part of the second half as a Whitehawk fan proceeds to lose his dog. It makes its way onto the pitch and decides to sit down just next to the Whitehawk goal. The saying ’12th man’ has been taken quite literally there.
A fight has broken out here between both sets of fans! Just trying too keep things interesting as the Whitehawk masses sing to the Burgess Hill fans “We have more dogs than you”. Burgess Hill return with “We have more cats than you”. Stadium bans should be issued for such language.
[80] Whitehawk Substitution: Clark ON, Lambert OFF
[81] Burgess Hill Substitution: Kelly ON, Tighe OFF
[82] PENALTY SHOUT!
It’s Burgess Hill who aren’t happy here as Kamara appears to have handled the ball twice. Referee waves play on.
[83] Chance!
Don’t think we’re seeing any goals today as Stroomberg makes a marvellous save once again. Ward fires a shot towards the top corner however the Whitehawk keeper matches it once again.
[89] Chance!
That was it. That was the chance. Kamara is found in the middle of the Burgess Hill area. UNMARKED. However his headed effort flies over the bar and over the south bank.
FULL TIME! Whitehawk 0-0 Burgess Hill.
A frustrating one for both sets of fans. Either side could have won it however in the end a draw is probably the fair result. Brilliant day for goalkeepers as both shot-stoppers had their defining moments and definitely earned their pay.
That’s all from me here at the TerraPura ground, I’ll see you again soon.
