BURNHAM 3 CINDERFORD TOWN 2

Just as in the previous round, Burnham had to rely on a late goal to advance in the FA Trophy, After the home side had made an aggressive start, forcing two corners in the opening minute, Town with their tenacious approach had the better of things in the first half with Chris Harland involved in most of their play. He had two attempts on goal, one was off target and the other was well blocked by Ben Hudell, at the expense of corner. The Cinderford defence with John Lock outstanding kept a tight rein on the Burnham strikers, but Dean Papali still broke clear twice, first curling a left foot shot wide of the post and then Lee Hartson recovered to block another effort. Cinderford continued to look the more impressive during the first 45 minutes and had further goal attempts from Lewis Sommers, albeit a weak header, and Ricky Manship, that  had Burnham keeper scrambling to keep his shot out, turning it around the post for a corner. Town deservedly took the lead on 29 minutes; when Kyle Bassett threaded an excellent ball through to CHRIS HARTLAND who ran on to put the ball wide of the advancing McCarthy. On 39 minutes Burnham Manager Jamie Jarvis decided to change things around, withdrawing Ollie Godwin in favour of Paul Coyne. It did not take long for Coyne to receive a yellow card for a foul on Hartland, which effectively ended the Cinderford man any further part in the game.

Burnham came out a different team after the break and at last managed to apply some real pressure on the Town back four. A Stuart Swift free kick found Ryan Bird ghosting in at the far post and he managed to scoop the ball way over the crossbar. Swift himself had a shot blocked as the Town defence got back in numbers. Another near effort for Bird as Hudell put in a excellent cross into the goal area. The pressure paid off on 59 minutes, a corner taken short on the right was delivered by Swift and ADRIAN SEAR was on hand to guide the ball wide of Town keeper Ben John.  3 minutes later and Burnham got their noses in front, again Swift was involved and he found DEAN PAPALI in front of goal and he did not have a difficult job to finish. Now it was the turn of the visitors to be on the back foot and Sear ran on from midfield only to be stopped as another corner was conceded. Swift having a good second half was again in action as his corner found Will Dunlop at the far post and his diving header rebounded off the upright. Bird and Papali both failed to control the ball as more action occurred around the Town box then Coyne saw a lob just miss the top corner of the goal. Town now threw men forward and their skipper Sam O’Sullivan caused problems down the left and only a last ditch clearance from Dunlop denied them the equaliser. Things turned a little nasty on 85 minutes when Town was reduced to ten men after Lock who had been pushed up front, was adjudged to have stamped on the head of Sear, and dismissed. A melee followed and Town sub Simon Heal was booked along with Burnham’s Dave Tilbury. Then on 88 minutes terrible defending by Burnham allowed SAM O’SULLIVAN a gifted equaliser and a Tuesday replay in the Forest of Dean looked on the cards. Still more drama followed 2 minutes later when poor defending, this time at the other end allowed Burnham sub JORDAN DOWDICAN to touch the ball in from close range.

Entertainment 3/5

Man of match Stuart Swift of Burnham