Match Report | Easington Sports v Burnham FC FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round 2023

Easington Sports 3 – Burnham 1 –  5th August 2023 – Dean Butler

In a repeat of last years FA cup Burnham were drawn against Easington Sports this year only 90 minutes were needed to decide the tie.  Manager Ben Murray had to shuffle his pack with seven of first team players unavailable. Incredibly this didn’t stop it from being a very competitive and at times feisty cup tie.

In conditions more akin to winter than mid-august, the first half was an open affair. With both sides creating chances and having spells of possession. After appeals for what looked a stone wall penalty when Leo Decabo was brought down in the box the ref waved away the protests. A few minutes later the home side took the lead soon after Burnham failed to clear their lines. Resulting in a simple finish for the home team. Burnham created their best chance of the half when Leo went through one on one with the keeper, his effort cleared of the line by the returning defender.  H/T 1.0

The second half saw the home side extend their lead after what looked like a clear foul on Leo in the build up to the second goal. The referee allowed play to continue, the ball fell to the Easington player, who comfortably placed the ball in the bottom corner to leave keeper Carl Dennison no chance.

The home side’s 3rd goal came from a misplaced clearance. The finish that followed was unstoppable and rocketed into the top corner on the half volley a goal worthy of winning any game.  The blues continued to plug away, looking for a route back into the cup tie. They got a glimmer of hope with ten minutes to go after striker Ian Davies saw his effort deflected in at the near post. However, despite further pressure and persistence, Burnham were unable to get the goals they needed to take the game to a replay at home.  F/T 3.1

Burnham FC now move on to league matters, when the 23/24 season gets under way at the 1878 stadium against Wembley FC next Saturday.