Sedgemoor Division 1
Taunton Vale 3rds 6, Burnham-on-Sea 2

BURNHAM were left frustrated and ruing their luck at this defeat to top-of-the-table Taunton Vale.

They gave the home side a real shock by taking a deserved 2-0 lead in what was a stunning first-half display, only to see it ebb away in a disappointing second half.

Vale had started strongly but Burnham stuck to their task and defended from the front, supporting each other really well.

Ali Evely and Jo White worked tirelessly up and down the pitch, while Jemima Johnson and Hattie Lambourne looked strong and determined in possession.

A powerful shot from Amy Edmundson was stopped on the goal-line by a defender’s foot so the Blues were awarded a penalty flick.

Tracey Dunn stepped up to coolly convert, before Edmundson herself doubled the Blues’ lead.

Combining well with Kerry Harvey she refused to give up as the ball bounced around in the D, and finally bundled it over the line between goalkeeper and defender.

Burnham keeper Sian Kelly was in tremendous form, and made countless saves to preserve Burnham’s lead, before unluckily conceding just before half time.

She saved both the initial shot from the short corner and the rebound, before Emma Ballard and Nicki Glanville each cleared off the line, but the ball still managed to trickle in.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

CONTEST: Burnham's Hattie Lambourne (in blue) defends the ball against Vale's Yaz Cannell. Pic: Steve Richardson

Burnham expected Vale to up their game and to come under some intense pressure in the second half, which is exactly what happened.

They weren’t helped with an injury to the impressive Ballard that eventually forced her off, compounded by some of the soft goals they conceded – like an unlucky own goal from Glanville, which neither she nor Kelly could do anything about.

Kelly went on to make more excellent saves, including one with her outstretched leg which was particularly memorable, as she did her best to galvanise the Blues.

Unfortunately the rest of the team could not respond with an equally good performance to match their brilliant first half.

The defeat keeps Burnham in seventh place in Sedgemoor 1, level on points with Winscombe 2nds and four behind fifth-placed ECVH.

There is a five-point gap between Burnham and the team immediately below them, Taunton Vale 4ths.

Player of the match: Sian Kelly

***

BURNHAM’S fixture list does not get any easier this coming Saturday (March 11), as they are at home to second-placed Taunton Civil Service (ko 10am).

Burnham put up a good fight in November’s reverse fixture, losing by three goals to two, and will be looking for revenge against a team who remain in the title hunt as they are just three points off the leaders.

Training continues on Mondays from 7-9pm at KAS until March 27.