The weather has really turned this week, as the clocks went back and winter officially arrived. To be fair it was still relatively warm for the time of year if very blustery, and showery, which forced me to take refuge in the Sevenoaks Town main stands for much of the game.

This Isthmian League South East Division, midweek fixture, pitched Harry Hudson’s Sevenoaks Town with Burgess Hill Town, managed by Jay Lovett.

Coming into the game tonight, Sevenoaks Town sat in 16th place, with ten points from eight games. They had games in hand over many sides in the league and hold aspirations to rise up the table, coming into the game on the back of two straight league wins, including a 4-2 victory at the home of the league leaders, Ramsgate, the previous Saturday. Ryan Gondoh had top scored with eight goals this season, followed by Yahya Bamba, with three.

Burgess Hill Town were just a place above Sevenoaks Town, in 15th, with eleven points from their nine games. Dan Perry had top scored for Burgess Hill Town, this season, with nine goals, supported by Martyn Box, Lewis Finney and Max Miller, all with three goals.

The opening twenty minutes saw Sevenoaks Town force two great saves from Reid in the Burgess Hill Town goal. The away side also drew a similarly high quality save from McCarthy in the Sevenoaks Town goal.

In the 22nd minute the deadlock was broken, when after a long cross from the right, Martyn Box finished, to poach his fourth goal of the season. The loud away contingent were given something to cheer about and celebrated wildly.

Within a minute however, Sevenoaks Town had struck back, to silence the opposition support with a fine equalising finish, curled into the top corner of the net, by home debutant, Funmaya Shomotun.

The remainder of the half saw both sides playing the ball long, in the hope of using the blustery wind to force a defensive error. However at the break, the scores remained locked together, at 1-1.

The second half was more entertaining and open than the second half. Burgess Hill Town kept playing through their midfield to create opportunities and won a series of corners. However they failed to fully capitalise.

Sevenoaks Town had chances but they too were unable to find a final pass to break the Burgess Hill Town defence. At the final whistle both teams came away with a point, whilst knowing the game had been there for them to win.