Weekly News Sport
Match report: Westland United 2, Burnham United 4
8:00am Wednesday 22nd February 2012
BURNHAM United progressed to the quarter finals of the Somerset Senior Cup where they have set up a home tie against Winscombe.
Westland United were on a run of five consecutive wins but Burnham had a strong squad to pick from, the only absentees being Cannard recovering from a neck injury and Keirle who is cup tied having already played in the competition for Berrow earlier in the season.
Burnham started the game reasonably well on a poor pitch both teams spent the opening 10 minutes seeing what each other where all about.
Burnham tended to break at pace with Warren Whitfield the main instigator in propelling his side forward with numerous runs down the right flank, one of which created a chance for Scott to open the scoring but his powerful shot blasted over the bar.
The majority of the home sides build up play tended to be much slower in approach but it was from a counter-attack that the opposition striker finished well into the bottom corner.
Burnham stepped their game up and it wasn't long before they equalised, a ball out wide from Leaf was picked up by Scott who beat his man and squared for Neilson to tap in from close range. Shortly after Burnham took the lead this time it was Scott himself who fired home an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box after good work from Hardwidge and Whitfield.
Burnham were now in total control and chances fell to Neilson, Scott, Whitfield and Hardwidge all of which were saved or put wide, Burnham did make their pressure count though when a superb run from Whitfield was finished emphatically into the bottom corner with a left foot rocket to take a 3-1 half-time lead.
The home side never gave up and certainly tested Burnham's resolve, they thought they might force their way back in the game when they grabbed a second in the 65th minute but Burnham where still in relative control despite having to defend very well.
Captain Walford scored the goal of the game when he powered one into the top corner from just inside the box to kill of the game off on 78 minutes. Burnham then controlled the remainder of the game to wrap up the 4-2 win.
Manager Plant said: “It was a perfect game for us to get back into action today, it would have done the lads fitness no harm at all on a difficult heavy surface. I was impressed with how the opposition played and it certainly wasn't a easy encounter. For me the real ball comes out next week when we take on Brislington at home, a game we really need to win if we are to have any aspirations of a top three finish”
Man of the Match: Warren Whitfield Sponsored by Fusion Leisure Centre Burnham: Lamb, Dawes, Bidgood, Ell Lamb, Powell, Walford (Peake), Hardwidge (Mylum), Whitfield, Leaf, Neilson (Smith), Scott Next week, Burnham will take on Brislington Reserves at home.