Taunton Civil Service 8, Burnham 2

BURNHAM improved slightly against the runaway leaders from the last time they played.

They started quite brightly and had a couple of half chances and could even have taken the lead before the first of two quick goals went in.

Emma Ballard led by example in defence with some excellent tackles and organisation and the team followed this example for large parts of the match.

They worked incredibly hard marking and sticking with their players and frustrated CS from adding to their lead.

Nicki Glanville cleared bravely off the line and GK Sian Kelly made a superb double save at point blank range - unfortunately for CS one of many as she went on to have a storming game.

Without her performance the score would have been double figures but at half time it was 4-0.

Burnham got the perfect start to the second half as they exposed CS for leaving Burnham attackers free on the half way line as they took a corner.

Chelsea Fisher blocked the corner and released the ball to Kerry Harvey. She ran the length of the pitch and when faced with the on rushing GK managed to slip the ball past her (before being taken out) which trickled into the goal.

CS hit back with another goal but then Burnham scored another almost identical goal.

This time the ball was cleared to the ever hard working Ali Evely who found June England. Her pass released Amy Edmundson who raced away from the defenders, took it the right side of the D and smashed the ball low and hard into the opposite corner.

Edmundson could have repaid the pass moments later as she and England raced away for another two-on-one with the GK but elected to shoot instead of looking for England who was free for a tap in.

Kelly continued her outstanding form as Burnham defended for their lives. In fact, neither she nor her defence could do little about most of the goals that were conceded.

Three more went in before the end of the game as the blues tired in the unusually warm weather but the match was not as one sided as perhaps the scoreline suggests.

POM: Sian Kelly

Next match is against Winscombe 10am at KAS on Saturday (March 14).