Defeats aren’t full story for Burgess Hill Town – Haywards Heath slip up – Hassocks have mixed week

Burgess Hill were knocked out of the FA Trophy by Hythe Town – despite another goal from Lewis Finney.

His double had earned Dean Cox’s team a 2-0 FA Cup win over Bognor a week earlier but this time his strike was only a consolation as Hill’s Isthmian south east rivals ran out 3-1 winners at Leylands Park.

The Hillians were back in action on Tuesday night when they went to Three Bridges in the Velocity Trophy – and a strong Bridges outfit sc raped 3-2 past a Hillians side with seven under-18s making their debuts.

Cox said: “Really proud ... the young guns performed fantastically – the future is certainly bright.”

Now it’s all eyes on the FA Cup again as Hill visit another Isthmian south east side – Sheppey – in Saturday’s second qualifying round.

Haywards Heath Town could not continue their fine recent form in the Southern Combination premier division, losing 1-0 at home to Eastbourne Town to slip to seventh in the table.

Next up for Heath – who remain the division’s top scorers, with 24 from their first eight games – is a visit to Saltdean on Saturday.

In the same division, Hassocks are dowm to fourth place after a 3-0 loss at Eastbourne United – their first SCFL reverse of the season.

But James Westlake’s team won 2-1 at AFCUckfield in the Sussex Senior Cup on Tuesday night.

Saturday brings a return to SCFL action for the Robins, with AFC Vardndeanians visiting the Beacon.