Eastern Senior League South
Tuesday 16th October – 7.45pm KO
Venue: Leslie Field
2018-19 Season: Match 23
Burnham: Black & Navy Blue Striped Shirts, Black Shorts, Sky Blue Shorts
Benfleet: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks
Report by Scott W
A welcome trip to Leslie Field saw me taking in a rare Eastern Senior Lge Sth match which saw Benfleet travel to Burnham Ramblers. The hosts named skipper Alex Salmon in defence and prolific goal-scorer Karl Swanborough in attack. Benfleet had Leon Gordon, their skipper in attack supported by wingers Taylor Lawrence and Mason Shave.
Burnham have struggled to adapt to this new division somewhat, particularly in defensive terms. The visitors perhaps would have scouted this before kick-off as early on they did pour forward, as after only eight minutes, the Benfleet full-back unleashed a powerful effort that the Burnham goalkeeper did well to deny.
Unfortunately for Lee Hughes’ side, it was a sighter of things to come as Benfleet roared into a three-goal lead before the half-hour mark. First, ex-Hullbridge midfielder Sam Dulieu opened the scoring on 12 minutes with a low shot into the corner before doubling his tally only seven minutes later with a blasted strike from 15 yards into the corner. Skipper Gordon got into the match with a goal as well after having an initial header saved, he made no mistake stroking home well with 27 minutes on the watch.
The hosts didn’t have too many openings with forward Karl Swanborough lofting an effort over the bar early-doors though the pain wasn’t over yet. The fourth goal for the visitors did have an element of fortune about it as a short cross hit midfielder Jack Unwin [32′] on the forehead which sent the ball careering into the top corner. That said, there was nowt that was lucky about the fifth as ten minutes before half-time, winger Taylor Lawrence smashed a cracker from 25 yards which flew into the corner with terrific technique.
Half-Time: Burnham 0 – 5 Benfleet
You may have thought that the visitors would settle a bit after the break for what they had. Not a bit of it as only five minutes into the second half, Unwin’s powerful effort was parried by the Burnham ‘keeper who was unfortunate to see the ball still trickle into the net.
Burnham fashioned a few chances in the half through Swanborough’s free-kick which just dipped over the bar just past the hour and who I believe to be Oliver Miller, who did keeep the visiting defenders alert in the latter stages though in trith, the hosts didn’t overwhelmingly look like scoring.
Unsurprisingly, the Burnham ‘keeper was the stand-out player on the night for them as he did well to deny Unwin twice in the latter parts of the match and so denying him a hat-trick though Dulieu did get his treble with a super chip over the goalkeeper to seal a dominant victory for the hosts.
Full-Time: Burnham Ramblers 0 – 7 Benfleet
You must credit Benfleet in that they were quick, powerful and clinical in their finishing this evening and much deserved the three points.
No team-sheets available unfortunately tonight. My apologies.
survivor16b 