BURNHAM United chairman Matt Counsell has praised his youthful side's start to the season, as they look set to kick on in the build-up to Christmas.

United sit in eighth place in Somerset County Division One West, with ten points from seven game - three games less than Langford Rovers in seventh, who are just three points ahead of them - and Counsell is pleased with both the results and the style of football being played by the club's first team.

He said: “The first team have performed very well, playing some very attractive football with a young squad of players - average age under 20.

“The club has changed a lot since last season and have been rebuilt at a great pace up to now and it the challenge of the committee, management and members of the club to ensure that the club continues to build, grow and move forward positively.”

United travel to struggling Street Reserves this weekend, before hosting Portishead Town Reserves the following week, knowing two wins could see them break into the top six.

But it's not just the football that has pleased the chairman - the commercial side of the club has also upped its game this season, as Counsell explains: “We now have 15 sponsors boards displayed around the pitch on match days - and also ran a successful race night at the Oak Tree arena on October 26, in partnership with Burnham Hockey Club, raising £1100.”

Counsell has also backed Burnham United's Reserve and 'A' team to improve on their early season results, with a number of young players being blooded in senior football for the first time (see Ollie Taylor interview, page __).

Counsell said: “The reserves and A team results been up and down this season as they completely rebuild from the 2013/14 season.

“Both teams will get stronger as player availability improves and the young talent in these squads continue to develop which will also bring greater consistency to performances.”