Red Insure Cup 1st Round
North Greenford United 3
Burnham F.C 0
This 1st round Red Insure Cup tie was a great opportunity for Burnham to put the disappointment of last week behind them and regain some confidence against a side also struggling in the league so far this season.
The home side started brightest though, and from the first whistle 17 year-old Zak Joseph stood out. The first decent shot at goal came from united's Alex Paine, and was a sign of things to come.
Burnham's Ashley Smith was as industrious as ever, running at Greenfords Charlie McCarthy when in possessionn, trying hard to feed Knight or Dowdican, and did so, but the pair could not get the ball out of their feet quick enough to get any sort of shot away before beingdispossessedd by United's skipper Nick Turner, who looked very comfortable. Burnham's brief spell of pressure ended being caught on the break and conceding a corner from the right hand side. It was drilled in near post, headed clear, but only as far as the fleet footed Zak Joseph who crashed home from 18 yrds to give Greenford the lead. Burnham reacted immediately, with a slick move. Matt Seedel and Jason Dowdican exchanged before releasing Kieron Knight through on goal, only to be flagged for offside.
Burnham were struggling to keep the ball in midfield and the absence of Lee Togwell was becoming more and more evident. However Greenford's young playmakers were growing in confidence by the minute. Wayne Jackson, Alex Paine and Zak Joseph were beginning to dictate the play, and in the 33rd minute they doubled their lead when Alex Paine received the ball from Wayne Jackson 20 yrds out, and curled it right footed past Jamie Jackson's left, into the top corner. A sublime goal from the 19 year-old.
With half time looming, John Munday had suffered a ankle injury and was taken to hospital during the break for an x-ray, and was replaced by Ben Hudell. Ashley Smith also made way at half time, possibly injured, and replaced by Bertie-Adam Squires.
Despite a good early attack down the left flank from Ben Hudell, Grenford started the second half as they finished the first, by keeping possession, and looked like they might score every time they went forward. This was beginning to frustrate Burnham's midfield, and Seedel was booked for a late challenge. Half way through the second half Greeford replaced Ricky Pither with Charlie Hill.
Burnham then picked up another yellow card, this time Adam Dickens showing his frustration. This would prove costly as Dickens was given a second yellow minutes later and was dismissed in the 79th minute. This gave United's talented youngsters the freedom of the park, and Zak Joseph was the man to punish Burnham once again in the 86th minute, cutting in from the left hand side on to his dangerous right foot and unleashing a fierce strike past Jamie Jackson, who could only watch it fly into the back of the net. Shortly after, Joseph was taken off to a round of applause from the home bench, as his Man Of The Match performance was the difference on the night, and replaced him with Sean Roberts.
In truth, North Greenford United were the better team on the night. Burnham are still working hard and there is a lot more to come them this season, however injuries are still haunting the squad.
Next up for the Blues is AFC Hayes away.
Report by Ben Fisher
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