Clarets slip to narrow defeat

Clarets 1 Burntwood 2

A very enjoyable game to watch and a good performance from the Clarets against good opposition. With a depleted squad due to holidays and injuries, Bob Bates stepped in as substitute - thanks Bob, it's appreciated! Right from kick-off this morning the movement and passing was good and everyone seemed relaxed on the ball. We found space and moved the ball about well. And thanks to good defensive play by Bob H and Andy B, Burntwood struggled to create clear cut chances and were restricted to shots from distance. Ross dealt with those that were on target comfortably. We'd had several shots when Tim Reynolds hit another sweetly and put us in front when the Burntwood keeper couldn't keep it out. There wasn't much to say at half-time other than "keep it up".

And the lads did. We very nearly went 2-0 up when Chris Burton's effort went through the 'keeper and was rolling towards the goal but he reached right on the line. (I was in close to the play and it definitely didn't cross the line.) Burntwood started to press more and created a chance and Branchy only needed one touch to score. We looked like getting a deserved point until late in the game when a mistake (one of a very few we made today) gifted them a chance which they took to win it 2-1. All in all though, this was a strong team performance - well played lads.

Golds 1 - 3 Nomads

The Golds entertained the Nomads today still missing some of their key players due to holidays and injuries. Their task was made more difficult with the  Nomads fielding three underage players. The Golds played some good football throughout the game knocking the ball around but just couldn't find the cutting edge in the last third. The reuslt could have been different if Nomads keeper hadn't made a good save from a late penalty for four non walking offences.