BURNHAM (The Gore)

Holiday week for me this week, so a good opportunity to get in, what is for me, some very rare mid-week action. Proceedings began in Buckinghamshire in the village of Burnham, which is part of Slough, and the local teams Southern League Central home clash with Fleet Town.

Founded in 1878 (that must have been a good year for founding clubs) Burnham are the second oldest team in Bucks. The play at The Gore, which is on the fringes of the village, which is ground that doubles up as a conference centre and nursery. The seats of the main stand back onto the building and the only other cover in the ground is a small covered terrace on the other side of the pitch. A modern and functional ground.

Burnham are currently on a good run of form having lost just once in their last 10 games, including a 5-1 demolition of Leighton Town just 48 hours earlier. Fleet on the other hand were desperate for the points in their bid to beat the drop in their first season back in this league for 3 years, after being moved across from the Isthmian league last summer.

The first half was a complete non-event a both teams failed to find any rhythm. The homesters just about edged the possession but neither side threatened the goal. It was a game crying out for a goal and, finally, one arrived on 39 minutes when, out of nothing, Kieron Knight found space on the edge of the box to shoot home.

This served it purpose and it opened up the game in the second half. After a few early scares, Fleet took the game to Burnham and their wee striker Danilson Vicente was causing the home defence all sorts of problems. Vicente got his reward after 72 minutes when he turned the centre half to fire home.

The momentum was with Fleet but, proving the old adage of being vulnerable when you've just scored, they fell behind again just minutes later when Tom Willment headed home unchallenged from a free kick cross. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Fleet and their misery was completed in the 86th minute when Lee Togwell scored direct from a corner.

The result leaves Burnham ensconced in mid-table but Fleet anxiously in the drop zone.

 

Monday 12th March 2012
Southern League Division One Central
Burnham 3-1 Fleet Town
Attendance: 110

BOXING DAY 'DOUBLE HEADER'

MARLOW and THATCHAM TOWN

11.30am Monday 26th December 2011
Southern League Division One Central
Marlow 0-2 Burnham
Attendance: 196

The true meaning of Christmas...a Boxing day double header! The day started with a Buckinghamshire Derby clash between Marlow and Burnham at the Alfred Davis (who was club secretary from 1891 to 1924) Memorial Ground.

The stand at the ground was built in the 1930's and is one the oldest football stands that has been in continuous use. It is quite awesome! There was also a bonus of 2 Rebellion Ales in the clubhouse, Roasted Nuts was most delightful.

The game didn't quite live up to the quality of its surroundings as two average teams produced a less than average game. The visitors had the best of what few chances that were created and two second half goals from Lewis Driver (60) and Ryan Bird (84) sealed the points for Burnham. The game was very niggly and there were lots of stoppages, so the game never really got going.

The result leaves Marlow at the foot of the table, and nothing I seen today would make me think that's where they won't remain, and Burnham in the mid-table mix.

3pm Monday 26th December 2011

Southern League Division One South & West
Thatcham Town 0-1 North Leigh
Attendance: 117

Thanks to a snarl up on the M25, plan A of Tooting v Carshalton bit the dust and a suitable alternative had to be found.

After much discussion it was decided to head along the M4 to Thatcham for their clash with North Leigh (which is near Witney). Luckily there was a GBG pub en-route, The Castle in Cold Ash where there were six handpulls to choose from. The West Berkshire Brewery's Christmas Ale 'Holly Cutter' was an excellent choice.

The Waterside Park ground is quite rural and on the edge of town, with one large stand and an 'arena' terrace behind one goal. This has been Thatcham's home since season 1992/93.

Both sides were mid-table going into the game, but Thatcham hadn't lost at home all season. The game was ok, especially the first half which was played a quite a good tempo. The visitors scored what proved to be the winner after 38 minutes when Elliott Osborne-Ricketts fired home superbly from the edge of the box. The second half was largely a non-event as the visitors comfortably defended their one goal advantage.

The club doesn't appear to have a large support, as I overhead one supporter remark that today was a bumper crowd. A decent tick in the circumstances, but as ever fate had to rub ones nose in it...Tooting beat Carshalton 4-3, ho hum!

Arena Heaven!!!

The day was rounded off with a visit to the superb White Lion in Fewcott with their usual fine selection of guest ales. All that was left was to get home, re-charge the batteries and get ready for a 6am start and another holiday bonanza...