West Clubs Women’s League
Sedgemoor Division 1
Minehead 7, Burnham-on-Sea 4

CONSIDERING the lack of training due to the snow and the long journey to Minehead, Burnham really took the game to their promotion-chasing hosts.

They took the lead in a pulsating match and pushed Minehead all the way in what was another really superb team performance.

Louise Peace and Caroline Hunt combined nicely down the right before some quick passing in the D led to Hattie Lambourne coolly slotting home low in the corner.

This woke Minehead up and they responded in kind with an equaliser and then took the lead with two more quick goals - one of which was very controversial.

The Blues stuck to their task and pulled one back through Amy Edmundson, who converted the rebound after her penalty corner strike was saved.

Hunt was having a storming game on the right and the midfield of Sarah Johnson, Ali Evely, Lambourne and Peace was strong and competitive.

Unfortunately, Burnham conceded a goal and lost Emma Ballard to injury at the start of the second half, but Charlotte Rogers began to see more of the ball as she dropped into midfield and her surging runs from deep caused Minehead no end of problems.

In fact it was Rogers who pulled the Blues back to 4-3 with a stunning run and shot, before June England then went close after more good work from Lambourne.

Minehead scored again but Burnham responded immediately, with Hunt forcing a penalty corner that this time Edmundson crashed in first time to make it 5-4.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

OPENER: Burnham's player of the match Hattie Lambourne scored the game's first goal. Pic: Steve Richardson

With their tails up, Burnham looked good for an equaliser and Minehead were so rattled that their captain and centre forward brought herself back into the defence in an attempt to protect their slender lead.

The visitors were dominating possession, and Hunt hit the post with a lovely shot from Johnson’s pass.

Sian Kelly then made a tremendous double save but could do nothing about a breakaway goal moments later.

The hosts then got another goal right at the death as Burnham finally had to concede defeat, but Minehead knew that they had definitely been in a game.

Player of the match: Hattie Lambourne

Burnham have two more matches before they can confirm their position in the league, as they sit seventh out of 10 teams.

The remaining matches are at home to ECVH (Saturday, April 14 at 10am) and away to Winscombe 2nds (date tbc).