HAYDEN BIRD hailed Saturday's clash between Merstham and Burgess Hill Town as a battle between the "best two teams in the league" but admitted the Sussex side played "like champions" in the second half to take the points.
In a topsy-turvy Ryman League Division One South encounter, Burgess Hill took an early lead, but Merstham were 2-1 ahead at half-time after goals from Tutu Henriques and Taurean Roberts.
However, the Hillians turned on the style in the second 45, and despite a goal for the Moatsiders from Osa Obamwonyi, the Sussex side ran out 4-3 winners.
And while disappointed with the result, Merstham boss Bird admitted it was an entertaining encounter.
"There was nothing between the sides who, in my opinion, are the best two teams in the league," he said. "It was just the slightest of margins between the two teams and I'm sure for the spectators it must have been a great game of football.
"It was disappointing to lose but it was a game that had the quality of a Ryman Premier Division football match.
"Normally we are stronger in the second half, so winning at half-time, having scored just before the break, we were in a good position.
"But credit to Ian [Chapman] they came out and played like champions in the second half."
