Evo-Stik Southern Division One Match Report Sat 12th Nov 2011
by Ben Fisher
Burnham F.C 1
Leighton Town 3
This was an opportunity for Burnham to make up sufficient ground in the league table against Leighton Town who had been struggling for points at home this season so far, as opposed to Burnham's good away record.
It was the home side though who started the game the brightest as Burnham struggled to get going. Long balls down the right and left channels were causing Burnham problems early on and gave Burnham an early scare when Leighton's James Hatch crossed from the right hand side and Leon Simpson out jumped Burnham's new keeper Andy Bayliss but only for a foul to be given against the striker, however this was a measure of things to come.
Leighton Town's early pressure paid off in the 8th minute as another long ball was played forward towards the unchallenged figure of James Hatch who let the ball bounce in front of him and unleashed a vicious long range strike which looped over Andy Bayliss into the back of the net to give the hosts a well deserved lead. Leighton could of doubled there lead shortly after with another dangerous cross from James Hatch found Leon Simpson unmarked in the penalty area who headed straight at Andy Bayliss.
Burnham replied with good play down the left involving Ashley Smith who's crosses just couldn't clear the first man, although Burnham came close to equalizing from an Ashley Smith corner taken quickly short to Adam Dickens who teed him up for a cross which he fizzed in towards the near post, only it ricocheted off the upright to Kieran Knight who had his shot cleared off the line and followed with a header which also hit the upright.
Just when Burnham were starting to get into the game and when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box Leighton Town cleared the danger and Will Dunlop found himself in a leg race with the dangerous Leon Simpson, and the striker capitalized on the opportunity by looping the ball over the stranded Burnham keeper Andy Bayliss to make it 2-0.
Burnham started the second half brighter than the first without really creating any chances and might of found themselves 3-0 down when Leon Simpson was through on goal once again only his touch evaded him.
Leighton Town scored a third in the 58th minute when Jake Bewley chased down the left and crossed to the back post to Ross Hanley who smashed in.
Burnham made 2 changes replacing Chris Robinson and Adam Dickens with Mitchell Woodward and Lewis Driver, which paid off as they made an immediate impact. Burnham pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute with a Mitch Woodward shot deflected off Mark Nisbet and into the back of the net. Burnham also had the ball in the back of the net again in a far post scramble only to be disallowed.
For all Burnham's late pressure they couldn't create enough chances for a comeback.
Must win game at home to Bedfont Town on Monday night for the Blues
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