Somerset County Division Two West

Churchill 6, Burnham United Reserves 3

BURNHAM United Reserves slipped to a 6-3 defeat at Churchill on Saturday, with the eventual score line flattering the home side.

Churchill’s game plan was to pump the ball long to two excellent strikers, who have previously played at much higher level and work well off of them.

The opening goal was scored by one of these strikers, but Burnham equalised when Dayle Waite tackled a defender and expertly chipped the keeper from distance.

Churchill then scored again, but the killer blow was when they scored their third just before half time - a well taken free-kick, from just outside the box. In the second half, central defenders Kieran McLaunchlin and James Ford worked tirelessly to compete and were both excellent.

The score was 4-1, when Russell Hicks scored from a well-timed run into the box.

At this stage Burnham were strongly on top for about 15 minutes, looking very likely to get back further into the game, with excellent work and ability from Anthony Cleave and man of the match Jordan Costello at left back.

Unfortunately the goal never came and as Burnham chased the game, Churchill scored two more late on - before Captain Aaron Hardwidge scored from the spot to complete the score line.

TEAM: Cutter, Young, Costello, McLauchlin, Ford, Hardwidge, Wedgewood-Potts, Cleave, Hicks, S Worthington, Waite (Croucher).