Somerset County Division 1W
Burnham United 3, Winscombe 0

BURNHAM United saw out 2016 with a 3-0 home victory over Winscombe on Saturday, which sees them enter the new year with a positive outlook.

Matthew Scott scored a brace and Finley Wilkinson claimed another, as the hosts consolidated eighth place in Somerset County Division 1W.

United created chances aplenty in the first half and broke the deadlock in the 44th minute, as captain Russell Holley broke out of defence, beat three players and played a through ball to Matt Scott – returning to the club this week after a spell at Highbridge Town – who smashed in from just inside the box.

After the break United keeper Will Lamb made some fine stops to preserve the lead, before Finley Wilkinson followed up after Scott’s shot was saved to make it 2-0 in the 70th minute.

The win was capped in the 88th minute, as Wilkinson’s cross from the left found Scott, who slotted in from 12 yards.

The result was all the more impressive as Winscombe had sat fourth in the league prior to the match, and United were beaten 3-1 by sixth-placed Somerton Town on Christmas Eve.

It has been a very up-and-down season for United, with five victories and six losses from 13 league matches so far.

In December, though, United won three out of four games to leapfrog local rivals Highbridge, and narrow the gap to the sides in the upper half of the table.

This winter has also seen them open a new £250k clubhouse, a statement of intent by the club which aims to have the best facilities in the area.

For now, their next test comes away to Uphill Castle on Saturday (ko 2pm).

United will not be short of motivation for the match – not only are their opponents one place and two points above them in the table, they also inflicted a 5-0 defeat on United in the Premier and Division 1 Cup in September, so revenge would be sweet.

***

HIGHBRIDGE Town, though, suffered defeat last weekend, 4-2 at home to Division 1W leaders Portishead Town Reserves – despite goals for Wayne Hand and Christopher Taylor.

It sees them remain without victory since November 12, when they beat Combe St Nicholas 3-1, from which point they have drawn one and lost four.

They lie 10th in the standings, dropping one place after Cleeve West Town drew at Glastonbury.