The game started at a cracking pace but there were too may stray passes with the visitors showing no signs of tiredness after their long journey. The Hillians were applying most of the pressure and took the lead on 24 minutes when a reverse pass set up Greg Luke who hit a tremendous shot into the top corner from 25 yards giving Aaron Cranfield on his debut for Wroxham, no chance.

The visitors were backed by some very vociferous supporters led by a loud bugler who drowned out the near-by Wroxham Church bells. On 26 minutes a goal-bound free-kick from Joe Marsden was tipped over the bar by visiting ‘keeper Alan Mansfield.

Wroxham equalised on 38 minutes when Joe Marsden worked his way across the box and his low left shot found the bottom corner Then Mansfield made another excellent stop to keep out a shot from Bartek Pelka for Wroxham as they started to impose themselves on the game.

Wroxham finished the half deservedly on level terms and there was little to choose between the sides in a pulsating cup-tie.

HT Wroxham 1 Burgess Hill 1

The visitors came out at the start of the second half again in determined mood and had the Yachtsmen in retreat but the Wroxham defence was able to protect their ‘keeper with few direct shots on goal.

Both sides made substitutions as the pace of the game was intense and play became more open.

Wroxham almost gave away a goal when Cranfield called for the ball but misjudged the bounce which went over his head but the alert Pelka was on hand to clear the danger. Wroxham danger man Remy Gordon was well contained and had few opportunities to open up as Burgess Hill forced a series of corners none of which caused any real problems for the home defence.

The home side had a great chance when Ross Durrant played a lovely pass to Gordon who gathered pace to get in a cross for Stephen Drake who was stretching as his shot hit the post. But this was the signal for a further spell of pressure from Wroxham and they took the lead on 70 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area.

Joe Marsden’s dead-ball kick was arrowed towards the top corner and while the Mansfield got a hand to the ball it came off the underside of the cross-bar hit the ‘keeper on the back and ended in the net.

This lifted the home crowd and within a couple of minutes Wroxham scored a third with a quite magnificent pass by Ross Durrant inside the full back for Remy Gordon to run on and pick his spot across the ‘keeper into the bottom corner.

Wroxham confidence was boosted but Paul Cook was the first player to go in referee Mark Potkin’s book after a heavy challenge and Pelka followed as the visitors got in top again in a desperate effort to get back in the game and at times the home goal led a charmed life.

But as the minutes ticked by the Burgess Hill bugler surrendered with his amusing rendition of The Last Post. However there was still time for substitute Pat Harding to add a consolation goal to make the score 3-2 just before the referees final whistle.

Wroxham will now entertain Ryman Premier Division side Margate Town in the 1st Qualifying Round on Oct 19th.

Wroxham: Aaron Cranfield, Ben Price, Matt Halliday, Joe Marsden (Aaron Sanders 90), Bartosz Pelka, Sam Harty (Jordan King 90), Remy Gordon, Fernando Vide (Danny Boswell 60), Paul Cook, Ross Durrant, Stephen Drake
Suns Not Used: Pedron Sanha, Armando Alves

Hillians: Alan Mansfield, Neil Watts, (Curtis Gayler 83), Joe Kay, Toby Pointing, Sam Fisk, Paul Armstrong, Spencer Slaughter, Darren Budd (Pat Harding 81), Scott Kirkwood (Max Miller 57), Greg Luer, Danny Curd
Not used: Lee Harding, Will Miles

Match report by Chris Green