Mid Sussex League

Division 2 South

Saturday 8th May 2021

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.01

Burgess Hill Rhinos 0 Cuckfield Rangers Reserves 4, attendance 36

33’ 0-1

48’ 0-2

74’ 0-3

90’+ 4, 0-4 (pen)

@ Tim Farmer Recreation Ground

120 Middle Village

Bolnore Village

RH16 4GJ

No Admission or Programme.

Burgess Hill Rhinos normally play at Clayton Green Recreation Ground, (where I had seen Village of Ditchling 1 East Court 1 on 10th April 2013 in a Mid Sussex League Division 2 match) but with that now given over to cricket, the last three home games had been moved to the ground here in Bolnore Village. It was last used by A.F.C. Bolnore at the end of the 2017/18 season, where they had been undefeated on their way to winning Division 5 of this league.

Today’s match was 4th versus 1st in the league table. When I first decided to do this match it looked like Cuckfield would need a point to win the league. However, on Thursday, the league awarded all games that had been postponed where teams couldn’t be bothered to raise a team, as wins for the opposition,(they should have played Willingdon Reserves at home on Tuesday) so it meant that they had already won the title coming into this.

There was a really strong wind blowing down the pitch, which did spoil the match somewhat, although at least the earlier rain had moved on and it remained dry throughout. It is easy to see why Cuckfield have won the league. They have a very good side and are very easy on the eye. Rhinos gave them a good match, but in the end the extra class showed. Having led 0-1 at the break, the killer second goal came three minutes into the second half, with a spin and shot into the top corner that beat the ‘keeper at his near post. Midway through the half they added a third, before a stoppage time penalty rounded things off with the last kick of the match.