Burnham 1 – 3 Wealdstone
Burnham1 - 3
WealdstoneIndividual mistakes cost Burnham and they found themselves 3-0 down late in the second half, before Terry Gibbs pulled one goal back from the penalty spot.
However Burnham dominated for large periods and created just as many goalscoring opportunities as their higher-league opponents. Playing with a new-look back four, Burnham were difficult to break down in the early stages and created the best chances of the first half-hour. Lee Canavan and Terry Gibbs both forced saves from Wealdstone goalkeeper Mitch Swain before the visitors opened the scoring from their first real chance of the half.
Dan Willment lost possession to Graham Hall in midfield and a missed tackle from Canavan allowed the Wealdstone man to unleash a vicious drive into the top corner, giving Jon Beams no chance in the Burnham goal. The lead was doubled a minute later when Beames took too long with a clearance and was closed down by Peter Dean, who squared the ball to Dean Papali for a simple tap in.
Burnham came out stronger in the second half and immediately created two chances for Ryan Bird. He squandered a one-on-one chance before scuffing a free header off his shoulder. Yarnie had the ball in the back of the net twice, but both were disallowed first for a shirt tug, then for an illegal challenge on the goalkeeper.
As the game began to open up with a flurry of substitutes and Burnham continued to press forward, a loose pass found its way to Wealdstone trialist Zimzon Lelo, who took his only chance with aplomb to take the score to 3-0 on 72 minutes. Burnham were quickly back on the attack and, when Bird was man-handled in the box, they were awarded a penalty which GIBBS calmly slotted away.