West Clubs Women’s League
Sedgemoor Division 1
ECVH 4, Burnham-on-Sea 2

BURNHAM can feel a bit aggrieved at losing this tough game away to fourth-placed ECVH on Saturday.

Despite starting slowly, they gradually worked their way into the match and even took the lead but, in the end, failure to take their chances proved costly.

As a whole team, their defensive performance – especially in the first half – was magnificent, as they repelled everything the home side threw at them.

Goalkeeper Imogen Wright had a fine game and Emma Ballard showed why she is so invaluable to the Blues with an outstanding display.

Ali Evely was tireless in midfield, meanwhile, and Sarah Johnson did her best to stamp her influence on the game.

Forward Amy Edmundson went close on several occasions for Burnham but found the home keeper in good form, while Hattie Lambourne just failed to get on the end of a glorious cross from Kerry Harvey.

After the teams went into half time at 0-0, Burnham frustrated ECVH even more as they took the lead with a well-worked goal.

Carly Bush took an early sideline hit to Johnson, who found Caroline Hunt in the D, and Hunt’s determination saw her eventually slam the ball in, at the third time of asking.

Having lost Harvey to injury in the first half, however, the Blues missed her pace and hold-up play, and as the pressure grew on the visiting backline, ECVH finally got a deserved equaliser.

Even after this, Burnham had several chances to restore their lead, as they saw Ellie Bishop go close on the far post, as did Lambourne from the top of the D, and Edmundson and Hunt fired their shots straight at the keeper.

Nicki Glanville and Wright combined on the goal-line – throwing their bodies in front of shots to keep the ball out – but no-one could do much about two quick goals which broke Burnham’s resistance.

ECVH’s strength and experience took its toll, especially as the Blues tired, but even when the hosts took a 4-1 lead, the away side refused to give up.

Edmundson deservedly got her goal after a lovely jinking run into the D and reverse stick strike, as Burnham had the last word, but it was only to be a consolation.

Player of the match: Emma Ballard

Burnham sit seventh (out of 10 teams) in the table, and their next match is at home to bottom side Weston-super-Mare 2nds this Saturday (10am start).

Training continues on Monday, November 13, at King Alfred School, from 7-9pm.