Somerset County Division One

Cleeve West Town 1, Burnham United 1

AN impressive battling performance saw Burnham United claim a point to away at Cleeve West Town on Saturday.

After a slow start and thanks to a superb save from Fraser McDirmaid, Burnham stunned the home side by taking the lead after 10 minutes.

After good build up play Tom Hurley set Elliott Lamb away down the left and his cross was met by Anthony Cleave who headed the ball into the bottom corner.

The home side nearly hit back immediately but McDirmaid was on hand again to tip over a powerful drive from 25 yard out with the Cleeve players and management already celebrating a goal.

Despite being under pressure Burnham remained a threat on the break with Cleave going close to doubling his tally - Reason and Hardwidge both went on surging runs but were shot shy when getting to the box.

Cleeve West Town were a constant threat from set plays, holding a far super height advantage and early in the second-half after three consecutive corners, their skipper rose highest in the box to head home the equaliser.

This spurred Burnham into life and for the first time in the game controlled possession, keeping the ball for long periods of time.

Elliott Lamb crossed again from the left and found the unmarked Matt Dibble, who headed straight at the keeper and Hurley and Harding both had shots blocked.

The last 10 minutes of the game saw the game really open up and Burnham defended their point like their lives depended on it.

McDirmaid made three world class saves to keep the scores level and Ed Lamb produced stunning goal line block as Burnham held on.

Subs Wilkins and 16-year-old Ryan Jefferies, making his first team debut combined in the dying moments, but Wilkins shot was well saved as the game finished all square.

Chairman Matt Counsell ,standing in for the absent Luke Hussey said: “I was by no means our best footballing performance but everyone put into a fantastic shift in and battled hard to get a point.

“We were forced in to three changes to the squad due to illness and work but he whole squad pulled together despite the average age of the squad being 19 and a half.

“Man of the match 16-year-old Fraser McDirmaid for his world class performance in goal.”