Taunton Vale IV 1, Burnham 2

BURNHAM finished the year on a high with this last gasp victory in Taunton.

In an entertaining game played in a good spirit Burnham just about deserved their win, but had to wait until the final few minutes to achieve it.

They were the better team, certainly in the first half and created the most chances, but were continually thwarted in the final third by the experienced Vale defence.

They could have been three or four goals up by half time, which their attacking play deserved, but had to settle for just the one.

This came after good work by Kerry Harvey and Carly Bush set up Caroline Hunt to rifle her shot past the GK. June England went close as both Louise Peace and Chelsea Fisher sent in some tantalising crosses and Harvey was always on the roam looking for the ball to start off an attack.

Emma Ballard, Fisher and Jenna Bushell were tight and composed at the back so GK Sarah Johnson only had a couple of saves to make.

Hunt went close again with a powerful strike whilst Bush won a penalty corner with a dynamic run into the D, but Burnham just couldn't put any daylight between themselves and Vale.

Unfortunately they paid for this midway through the second half as Vale, who were always likely to get at least one chance, capitalised on a mistake to grab an equaliser.

It looked like Burnham would have to settle for one point instead of three, but the team had other ideas and showed great character and determination to go on and grab a winner in the short time that was left.

Emma Jarrett epitomised this in midfield - fighting for everything and strong in the tackle and together with Bush and Peace they began to force the team forward.

England had a chance to win it when she was clean through in the D following a glorious pinpoint pass from Bushell but flashed her shot wide.

However, she did not let this deter her as minutes later she was on hand in her familiar place at the back post to push in the winner after great work by Hunt & Harvey.