FOOTBALL: Burnham United suffer Somerset County League defeat against Long Ashton

BURNHAM United’s hopes of avoiding relegation from Division 1 this season took a hit, as they lost 3-2 at home to bottom side Long Ashton on Saturday.

Long Ashton arrived at Cassis Close without a league win to their name, but United proved obliging hosts, as missed chances and defensive mistakes combined to fatal effect.

Curtis Bradshaw and Charley Harding scored for the home side, but Carl Chisholm’s brace and Steven Probert’s strike sealed the points for the visitors.

The result leaves United in real trouble, as one of four teams – alongside Wells City Reserves and Long Ashton – on four points at the foot of the table.

United’s goal difference is significantly better than their rivals’, and they have a game in hand over Long Ashton and three in hand over Wells.

But there is no doubt that they need to start picking up points, having not won a match since September 8.

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Somerset County Women’s League
Division 1
Burnham United Ladies 2, Wellington Ladies 2

THERE was frustration for Burnham United Ladies, too, on Sunday, as they drew a match they could easily have won.

United had been without a game since October 14, but showed little sign of rustiness as they put in a solid team performance.

Every player moved the ball well and contributed to their attacking gameplan.

Jess Wright got the hosts up and running with a brilliantly-placed shot, and Sarah Galley took the second goal well.

Emily Moreton put in a dominant physical performance up front, and hers was one of three United efforts which hit the post.

But Wellington, whose results have picked up markedly in the last couple of weeks, hit back with goals from Charlotte Phillips and Ebony Sellick.

The match finished all-square, leaving United fourth in the Division 1 standings, level on 15 points with third-placed Portishead Reserves.

And Portishead provide their opposition this coming Sunday (ko 2pm).

The match will once again be at Cassis Close, and United will aim to go one better than in the previous meeting, at Portishead, which finished 0-0.

ON THE BALL: Lucy Stacey in possession for Burnham United Ladies. Pic: Ash Magill

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BURNHAM United Reserves exited the Somerset County League’s Division 2 & 3 Cup on Saturday, losing 5-2 at Portishead Town Reserves.

Twice United came from behind to draw level in the first half, as goals from Thomas Clarke and Ben Windram cancelled out Simon Gilmartin and Nick Walker’s strikes.

But Walker scored his second after the break to put Portishead back in front, and further goals from Rob Latham and Adam Wellen secured them a spot in the quarter-finals.

In the Weston-super-Mare & District League, Wedmore remain at the bottom of Division 1 after a 7-0 trouncing at home by Portishead Town A.

Burnham United A rose four places in Division 3 thanks to a second consecutive league win, 6-2 at home to AFC Nailsea.

Louie Jones and Luke McErlain hit a brace apiece, with Cain Smith and Jaden Watts also on target.

There was a less happy outcome for United’s B team in Division 4, as they conceded three times in the final eight minutes to lose 6-3 at Hutton A.

Tyler Frost’s hat-trick, plus two goals from Michael Astridge and one from Cameron Fowler, did the job for Hutton.

Kieran Moores, Aminul Barik and James Reddish hit the target for the away side.

Also in Division 4, Wedmore Reserves picked up a welcome win, 4-1 at AFC Nailsea Reserves.

Harry Hole (2), Mark Sidebottom and Thomas Cashmore all found the net.

Huntspill Crowns came unstuck away to title favourites Weston Town, as Josh Baker, Daniel Berry and Daniel Hiscox netted in the hosts’ 3-0 win.

Crowns are, nonetheless, still just a point off top spot.

On Sunday, Burnham United Under-18s moved into the quarter-finals of the Somerset U18 League’s KO Cup, with a 3-1 home win over Portishead Town.

Aminul Barik, Louie Jones and Marcus Ellis secured their progress; Sam Challenger replied.