Burgess Hill Town vs Cray Wanderers – Isthmian Premier – Saturday 25th April – Match Report
Burgess Hill Town 4
Vorster 10, 24, Rowe 35, King 39
Cray Wanderers 2
Ogunwamide 7, Hernandez 26 (pen)
Pics: Natalie Stribbling
Cray Wanderers 2025-26 season came to an end with defeat in an entertaining game at Burgess Hill Town as both sides shared six goals for the second time this season.
In an action packed first half Cray once again started strongly with Ola Ogunwamide continuing his fine form with his fifth goal for the Wands after seven minutes. However, three minutes later the home side levelled through George Vorster who then in the 24th minute put Burgess Hill in front. It took two minutes for Cray to draw level with a penalty scored by Alex Hernandez for his 21st goal of the season.
The high scoring first half wasn’t finished as Burgess Hill restored the lead ten minutes before half time with a cracking half volley from Kieran Rowe. Then, four minutes later it was 4-2 with Jake King finishing from close range. The second half was much more sedate in the late April heat but Burgess Hill saw out the game as Cray ended the season with back to back league defeats for the first time this season.
On a glorious sunny afternoon and in front of a great crowd of 1, 038 there was a smashing atmosphere with live music, great food (the pies especially) and drink and proof last game of the season or not the special attraction, of non-league football, the importance of match day staff and volunteers and very friendly home fan base made this is a great day out, close to Wivelsfield station and the Watermill pub and one I’m sure Cray fans will be looking forward to returning to next season.
The Wands in 7th place were looking to end the campaign on a high and from the side which started against Welling United last Saturday there were three changes with Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera, Quade Taylor and Daniel Ajakaiye starting in place of the now retired Tom Bonner, Max Fiddes and Alex Stepien-Iwumene. Cray haven’t let the grass grow beneath their feet and already confirmed Frankie Raymond, Ola Ogunwamide, Lateef Adaja and Alex Hernandez have signed for next season.
Burgess Hill Town have finished in a highest ever league position of 8th in the Isthmian Premier and looked a polished side and showed character to draw 3-3 at Flamingo Park in November. From the side beaten at Dulwich Hamlet last Saturday there were two changes with Alex Mains and Jake King coming in for Harry Lawson and Ben Pope.
Before the game there was a moment’s applause for former Burgess Hill Town Chairman and Committee member Bernard Dennett who passed away last week at the age of 91 and was impeccably observed.
The first half began with both teams seemingly on a mission to outscore each other and the home side started the match well and came close in the fourth minute when from a free kick out on the left, King whipped in a dipping shot which Harry Seaden did well to push one handed over the bar. Then Kaan Bennett down the left glanced the ball wide.
The Wands though kept up their remarkable run of goals in the first ten minutes making if five in six games as Ola Ogunwamide netted a fine individual goal when he picked up the ball in midfield, took on defenders and from just inside the area placed a shot wide of Michael Dike for a class goal for his fifth in just twelve games.
However, the lead was short lived as Burgess Hill got back on level terms in the tenth minute when George Vorster who had an outstanding game for the home side down the right took on defenders and rifled in a shot at the near post for his fourteenth goal of the season.
It was nearly 2-1 to Burgess Hill when the dangerous Vorster once again showed quickness down the right to find space but shot just past the left post. Then for Cray, the similarly electric Ogunwamide following good build up play from Adrian Gyamera and Lateef Adaja saw his low shot held by Dike.
In the 24th minute it was Burgess Hill who went in front through Vorster who again showed quick feet to break into the area and made no mistake with a left footed shot.
The game though never stopped it relentless pace despite the heat and Cray drew level two minutes later when Ogunwamide was brought down inside the area and from the spot, Alex Hernandez stroked home to make it twenty one for the season and sought to continue his quest for the league Golden Boot which in the end went to Folkestone’s, Jake Hutchinson.
Just when it seemed both teams might play it more cagey Burgess Hill went back in front in the 35th minute with a goal worthy of winning any match as Hamish Morrison down the right found skipper Glen Rowe with a terrific half volley crashed a shot high into the net.
Four minutes later there was clear water between the teams with a fourth goal for Burgess Hill Town as ex-Gillingham midfielder Chris Whelpdale’s cross to the left post was headed across by Kaan Bennett for Alex King who scored his first goal in his first start for the club.
There was still time before half time for Hernandez to see a shot held from Frankie Morgan’s cross and for the HIllians Vorster saw an effort held by Seaden.
HT: 4-2
It was inevitable following the six goal first half and seemingly an increase in temperature that the pace of the game and intensity would lessen and that was really how it went with both defences now more on top.
There were three changes for Cray at the interval with Jordy Mongoy, Alex Stepien-Iwumene and Max Fiddes who had a loan spell at Burgess Hill towards the end of 2025 coming on.
Cray looked to reduce the arrears and from a corner down the right, Frankie Raymond’s ball across came to Hernandez who shot over. Then from another corner down the right to the far post Ogunwamide glanced wide.
For Burgess Hill Bennett and Reggie Ward combined down the left and Vorster on a hat-trick saw his shot blocked by Seaden and then the ball was cleared.
The last real chance of the game came in the 65th minute when a fine ball picked out Fiddes who strode into the area but lofted his shot just over the bar.
In the end both teams if not quite downing tools certainly looked to conserve energy and in the end the game nicely just faded to its conclusion but had certainly been a great watch and both sides can be proud of their efforts in what is a very tough league and have held their own considerably.
For Cray, a seventh placed finish was certainly one of the objectives of the season and was deservedly reached as Cray never left the top seven all season and Tim O’Shea and the team have had many highs and were still in contention for the playoffs going into Easter. Certainly the appetite has been whetted for next season and with the World Cup going to be taking up a lot of summer time the league fixtures are usually announced in mid July and the Wands supporters who have been magnificent can get their diaries out and plan accordingly for 2026-27.
Burgess Hill Town: Michael Dike, Hamish Morrison, Reggie Ward, Glen Rea, Josh Spinks, Alex Malins, George Vorster (Jay Beckford, 78), Kieran Rowe (Capt.), Chris Whelpdale (Ben Pope, 79), Jake King (Harry Lawson, H/T), Kaan Bennett: Subs: Jack Burchell, Ben Parkinson
Booked: Rea 36, Ward 46, Bennett 70, Pope 88
Cray Wanderers: Harry Seaden, Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera, Remi Sutton (Alex Stepien-Iwumene, H/T), Crossley Lema, Frankie Morgan (Jordy Mongoy, H/T), Frankie Raymond (Capt.), Quade Taylor, Lateef Adaja, Ola Ogunwamide (Ralfi Hand, 83 Dan Ajakaiye (Max Fiddes, H/T), Alex Hernandez
Referee: James Kerten
Assistants: Jamie Wells, Mark Spence
Att: 1038
