Berks & Bucks Senior Cup 2^nd Round                                                         Monday 7^th November 2011

Burnham 2

Aylesbury 0

This cup tie came at a good time for the Blues.  After a well earned draw at AFC Hayes last Saturday this was a good opportunity to gain some momentum before the weekend's game away at Leighton Town.

However they were made to work hard for the victory, as the first half was very much an open game, but with Burnham having the best chances.

Aylesbury's wide men Jamie Rudd and Jack Welch looked most threatening for the visitors early on with good crosses from both flanks, before Burnham went very close to taking the lead when a Kieran Knight shot from the edge of the box deflected off Craig O' Connor's leg, and shaved the outside of the post with Aylesbury keeper Liam Watson helpless to it.  Kieran Knight went close twice in identical fashion, with powerful low crosses from the left from both Craig O' Connor and Ashley Smith, only he couldn't make a connection even at full stretch sliding in, to tap in.

Burnham made an early substitution in the 39^th minute, replacing Craig O' Connor with Jordan Dowdican.

Aylesbury were starting to get more involved in the game as the half went on, and were on top approaching  half time, and after a string of brilliant reflex saves from Burnham's Jamie Jackson, the visitors went closest to scoring. Aylesbury's Kieran Scmiddt chipped Jamie Jackson, only Ryan Byrd tracked back to clear off the line, and collided with the post in doing so.

The second half began with Burnham looking the most likely to score, and in the 57^th minute the deadlock was broken, as Kieran Knight, with his back to goal, spun and fired a low shot from long range passed Liam Watson's right hand post to give Burnham a well deserved lead. Burnham were dominating the game in midfield,  particularly Matt Seedal, and supplied numerous opportunities for Jordan Dowdican who should have doubled Burnham's lead when through on goal twice.

There was a sense that as long as it stayed at 1-0 Aylesbury may be able to equalize as Jamie Rudd was starting to cause problems from out wide on the right, and Jack Welch squandered a great chance heading wide of the post, unmarked in the Burnham penalty area.

Burnham replaced Jamie Jackson with James Reading in the 70^th minute as a precaution after a suspected  hand injury, before Aylesbury made their first change of the evening in the 73^rd minute replacing Greg Williams with Jack Smail, but Burnham had the next round in their sights and continued to pound away at the wiry Aylesbury back four, who were beginning to feel the pace of Jordan Dowdican as he ran into the channels for every ball, and again could have scored himself with only the  keeper to beat.

Aylesbury made another change in the 75^th minute taking Jack Seaton off and bringing on Marcus Hussey, but to no avail as Burnham continued to dominate the possession and looked very comfortable.

Aylesbury made a third and final sub in the 81^st minute replacing the impressive Jamie Rudd for their very own Ashley Smith.

In the 90^th minute Burnham's persistence paid off as they sealed the game with a second goal, as Kieran Knight's left footed cross come shot looped over Liam Watson and nestled in the far corner in spectacular style to cap off another fine performance from the striker, who is finding form at the right  moment for the Blues.

The game closed with Burnham making their final substitution, replacing Lee Togwell with         Bertie-Squires Adams.

A solid performance from Burnham, and a well earned place in the 3^rd round.

By Ben Fisher