It’s now 21 games without a win in all competitions this season for VCD Athletic, but they came oh, so close to that first vital win.

Against a side who had swept almost all before them in Ryman South last season, VCD belied their league position and for long periods dominated Burgess Hill, earning their 8th point in 18 league matches.

Donavan Simmonds gave VCD the perfect start with a delightful goal in the 8th minute, and it looked as though the Vickers would hold that lead into the interval, only for Darren Budd to match Simmmonds’ finish with the last kick of the half. Both goals the standout moments of quality in a frantic match.

This lifted the HIllians’ confidence, and when an early penalty was converted by Joe Keehan, you wondered whether VCD’s efforts would be in vain. In the end, although he was only on the pitch for five minutes, Lheureaux Menga’s contribution included earning the penalty that Mark Nwokeji put away for the point.

In the opening game of the season, VCD had been swept aside by Burgess Hill. However, now a much-changed team under Keith McMahon – only 4 players remained from the first game – VCD looked like a side who would be tasting victory before too long. With the pace of Nigel Neita and Kojo Awotwi on the wings, the Vickers pushed forward at every opportunity.

In the 6th minute, Neita sent a header creeping just inside the left upright, only for Pat Harding to hook clear for another corner. However, Burgess Hill did not take heed of the warning, as just two minutes later, Donavan Simmonds was released on the left wing. No-one in a blue shirt came across to close Simmonds down, so the forward cut into the area, and unleashed a curling effort into the right side of the goal, leaving Josh James watching on.

Neita was giving full-back Toby Pointing a torrid time and worked space inside the Burgess Hill box to fire a ball across the face of goal; but it was too powerful for Awotwi to convert as the ball skewed off his shin.

VCD’s high pressing game was limiting the chances that the Hillians could create, and last year’s South Division leading scorer Chris Smith found himself feeding off scraps as VCD’s players hustled into tackles all over the field. Winger Callum Saunders did manage to win a header in the VCD box, but keeper Callum Thomas saw it fly high over.

Simmonds was able to turn and fire another shot straight at James, as it looked as though VCD would earn a half-time lead, but Hillians’ skipper Darren Budd had other ideas. The midfielder picked up a quick throw on the edge of the area and sent a screamer past Thomas’ desperate dive.

At the start of the second half, Neita drove another dangerous cross through the area, but his teammates had been unable to keep up with his run. But despite another quick start from the home side, the game turned in the 52nd minute.

Budd played a ball over the Vickers’ defence, with Saunders running into the box. Saunders’ shot was blocked by Ricardo Joseph’s challenge, with the ball running loose to Chris Smith. As Smith shot wide, Ashley Probets slid across the striker’s path, and Mr O’Brien pointed to the spot, much to the dismay of the VCD players and management. Joe Keehan stepped up to place his spot-kick high into the right corner.

Lee Harding forced Thomas into a parried save, before VCD were able to put pressure onto the visitors with a string of crosses from each flank, leading to a header from substitute Mark Nwokeji dropping wide. Pat Harding then tested Thomas with a shot that seemed to swerve and dip late, but the keeper’s handling was sure.

With 5 minutes of normal time left, Keith McMahon threw on L’Heureaux Menga for the tiring Simmonds. Within seconds, Menga had riled the Burgess Hill centrebacks with a clumsy challenge.

And when Mathias Bakare pumped a freekick into the area, Menga was able to get his head to the knockdown first, drawing a foul from Andy Pearson. The experienced Nwokeji stepped up to send James the wrong way to level matters once more.

There wasn’t enough time for VCD to find that breakthrough that would have earned the first win, but there was nearly time to lose the game, as Sam Fisk glanced a header across the face of goal in stoppage time; but wide.

Next up for VCD is a break from League action as they entertain Staines Town in the FA Trophy. But if they play as they did for this 90 minutes, that first win won’t be far away.

 

VCD ATHLETIC: Callum Thomas, Mathias Bakare, Ashley Probets, Richard Avery, Joseph Bruce, Ricardo Joseph, Ritchie Graham (Mark Nwokeji 74), Davidson Tejaiye, Nigel Neita, Donavan Simmonds (Lheureux Menga 85 (Frantz Tchonang 90)), Kojo Awotwi.

Subs not used: Harry Brickwood, Rob Budd.

Goal: Donavan Simmonds 8, Mark Nwokeji 88 (pen).

Booking: Ricardo Joseph 82.

BURGESS HILL TOWN: Josh James, Toby Pointing, Sam Fisk, Darren Budd (Lee Harding 59), Andy Pearson, Will Miles, Olly Rowland (Dan Pearse 64), Joe Keehan, Pat Harding, Chris Smith, Callum Saunders (Phil Johnson 85).

Subs not used: Sam Gargan, Lee Doherty.

Goal: Darren Budd 45+1, Joe Keehan 53 (pen).

Booking: Andy Pearson 88.

Attendance: 105
Referee: Mr John O’Brien
Assistants: Mr Turan Yesilyurt and Mr Matthew Westlake