West Clubs Women’s League
Sedgemoor Division 1
Burnham 4, Taunton Civil Service 1

IF last week’s game was a bit disappointing then this week more than made up for it, as Burnham guaranteed their Sedgemoor Division 1 status with a convincing win over the side sitting second.

After giving the league leaders a scare last week, Burnham showed even more belief and desire this week to beat Taunton CS.

They started the match on fire, scoring after 28 seconds, as Amy Edmundson and Kerry Harvey combined, and slipped the ball to the onrushing Hattie Lambourne to smash in from a tight angle.

Edmundson then doubled the lead moments later after receiving a lovely pass from the outstanding Emma Ballard.

Burnham refused to let CS settle and pressed from the front, while the defence of Ballard, Glanville, Dunn and Wright were excellent, with Carly Bush tenacious and effective in front of them.

CS pulled one back from a contentious penalty corner but Blues keeper Sian Kelly made several top saves to prevent an equaliser.

Burnham extended their lead just before half time as Nicki Glanville and Louise Peace linked on the right before finding Harvey, who finished with a sweet strike.

CS could not get back into it as Ali Evely unselfishly sacrificed her own game to man mark their best player, while Jemima Johnson was superb playing out of her usual position.

The win was wrapped up when the quick-thinking Jo White played a perfect ball into Edmundson, who drove into the D, and after her shot was saved Lambourne forced home her second.

Now the Blues cannot be caught by the bottom two teams, and could finish as high as fifth with two matches remaining.

Players of the match: Emma Ballard and Hattie Lambourne.

This weekend, Burnham travel to Chard (ko 12.30pm).