Saturday November 21st 2009 FA CARLSBERG TROPHY 3RD QUALIFYING ROUND

WORCESTER CITY 2 BURNHAM 1

Burnham bowed out of the FA Trophy with this narrow reverse at Blue Square Conference side - South Worcester City. In very wet conditions Burnham went close to scoring in the very first minute, when Ryan Bird took advantage of hestitancy in the City defence to run on and test keeper Meredith, who saved at the second attempt. The home team had their first attempt on goal when Spencer made room down the right and crossed to the far post where Daniel failed to hit the target. There was very little to choose between the two sides early on. Blues skipper Paul Brett picked up a yellow card in the 13th minute for bringing down Birley. Dean Papali got away from his marker but a fine intervention from City skipper Clyde denied him the chance of a shot. City then had  a good spell forcing Burnham to concede a couple of corners which Burnham defended well. Ollie Godwin got caught in possession and Walker raced clear, however keeper Paul McCarthy stood his ground to deny the City man. Good build ups enabled Adaggio two half chances to open the scoring, his first effort just cleared the crossbar, while the other effort was just wide of the mark. Burnham got down the other end and City had a let off when a clearance bounced back off a defender forcing keeper Meredith to run back and dive on the ball close the goal line. After the impressive Dinsmore had been booked for a foul on Stuart Swift, he almost conjured up the opening goal. Making progress down the right he unleashed a shot the McCarthy parried but straight to the feet of Adaggio, who looked to have a simple chance to put the ball into the unguarded net. Somehow the wet conditions forced him to slip and Terry O'Connor got back to rescue the situation being fouled in the process. Daniel had a long range effort well off target before right on the break Burnham forced their first corner, which came to nought and the half finished goalless.

City started the second half strongly and Dinsmore saw his shot deflected for a corner. On 54 minutes against the run of play Burnham went ahead. They were awarded a free kick on the right which Stuart Swift floated in to the back post where ADRIAN SEAR headed down and past keeper Meredith. It took just one minute for the home team to equalise, slack marking by Burnham allowed MATT BIRLEY to fire in hard and low from 12 yards. Ollie Godwin fired in a shot that keeper Meredith did well to hold while at the other end Dinsmore was only just wide of the mark. Will Dunlop did well to stop Elvins as the City man threatened before Dean Papali had an excellent opportunity to put Burnham back in front. He broke clear but saw his shot superbly saved by keeper Meredith. The winning goal came in the 76th minute following a good City build up, the lively Dinsmore fired in a shot that hit the upright and rebounded across goal to the unmarked CRAIG WILDING who had a simple task to net from close in. Burnham had one chance to pull the scores level but a Ben Hudell free kick just outside the penalty area went straight to the arms of keeper Meredith. City held on without further alarms, with Burnham picking up bookings for Dunlop and Swift, while City's Adaggio also saw yellow. City proved just a little too strong for the Blues in an entertaining game, well officiated and played in an excellent spirit.

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