In front of the watching Dartford manager, Tony Burman, who they will face in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round a week on Saturday, the runaway Ryman One South leaders, Burgess Hill Town, maintained their unbeaten record this season; putting on a display of football that swept away Sittingbourne.

A late Pat Harding goal in the first half took Burgess Hill into the break ahead. Three further goals, from Sam Fisk, Harding and substitute Dan Perry in the second period saw the Hillians overcome a disjointed Brickies side, whose defence gave Adam Molloy little protection, and whose attack could only manage two shots on goal all night.

From the start, Burgess Hill looked comfortable in possession, with Chris Breech and Joe Keehan directing operations from the midfield. The first ten minutes only saw a long range effort from Keehan, which flew over the bar, until Pat Harding’s shot through a crowd of players was turned behind by Adam Molloy’s reaction save.

Brickies full back Veejay Miller curled an awkward ball into the Burgess Hill area, which goalkeeper Josh James fumbled. The ball dropped close enough to the Hillians’ custodian that he could pounce before Jono Richardson could apply a telling touch.

George Crimmen had to block a shot from Lee Harding, but it was namesake Pat who broke the deadlock just as it looked as though Sittingbourne, who started the night in 4th place, might hold out to the interval. The home side had just had a sustained spell of possession, when a quick ball down the left saw Greg Luer feed a pass into Pat Harding. The forward spun past Crimmen and lashed a left foot shot past Molloy.

In first half stoppage time, a mistake in the Burgess Hill defence allowed Richardson to lift a ball over the backline, and Joe Nwoko flicked it over the advancing James, only for Andrew Pearson to recover to hook clear.

Any instructions that Sittingbourne might have received at the interval from caretaker manager Barry Crimmen went out of the window within 80 seconds. Pat Harding played a ball in from the left edge of the area, which got trapped between Lee Harding’s legs. First to react was left-back Sam Fisk, who sent Molloy the wrong way.

The visitors were now controlling the game and Sittingbourne were finding it harder to play the ball out of their defensive third. Molloy had to save from Lee Harding, and Nwoko had a run at the Hillians back line after confusion between Pearson and James. With James frantically backpedalling, Nwoko’s shot was blocked wide by Will Miles,

Molloy pulled off a wonderful save, full length to his left, and was grateful to Ollie Brown to put the ball out for a corner to deny Luer on 68. But 10 minutes later, Sittingbourne’s defence was caught out by Neil Watts’ run and cross from the right, which found Pat Harding at the back post to rifle a shot in off the right hand post.

Scott Kirkwood was given far too much space at the back post, but glanced a header wide when unmarked on 82, and the Brickies defence was torn apart two minutes later, on 84, as Burgess Hill found the net for a fourth time.

The Hillians three substitutes combined to play their way through the Sittingbourne backline. Rob O’Toole’s pass was touched on first time by Darren Budd into the path of Dan Perry, who curled his shot round Molloy into the far corner.

In stoppage time, Kirkwood fired a volley wide from outside the area, and Ellie Kayembe showed some spirit for the home side, driving through two tackles but was unable to put his shot on target.

SITTINGBOURNE: Adam Molloy, Tom Brunt, Jono Richardson, Matt Harden, George Crimmen, Dan Flemming (Kieran Burrell 66), Hicham Akhazzan, Ollie Brown, Joe Nwoko (Ellie Kayembe 76), Veejay Miller, Ashley Baverstock (Reece Gallagher 41).

Sub not used: Dan Keyte.

BURGESS HILL TOWN: Josh James, Neil Watts, Sam Fisk, Chris Breech, Andrew Pearson, Will Miles, Scott Kirkwood, Joe Keehan (Darren Budd 78), Pat Harding (Dan Perry 78), Greg Luer (Rob O’Toole 73), Lee Harding.

Subs not used: Graham Martin, Toby Pointing.

Goals: Pat Harding 41 & 78, Sam Fisk 47, Dan Perry 84.

Attendance: 110
Referee: Mr P Rowley
Assistants: Ms L Saunders and Mr A Steele