Burnham Juniors Yellows 1 Bulls 2

A terrific, gutsy fight back from the champions to complete the double over Burnham Yellows.

Having led the division for most of the year, Burnham were hoping to finish their season by taking away the Bulls' unbeaten record. As the game began it was clear that Burnham's recent 4-1 win over Holyport was no fluke and that the Bulls would have to be at their best to get a result.

The first half saw few chances. Some super dribbling skills from Ollie and Jack almost created clear opportunities for the Bulls and at the other end Burnham played two up front in a bid to break down the Bulls defence.

It was the home team who took the lead midway through the half, breaking away from defending a corner. The bumpy pitch played a part in the goal, with Bulls players being caught out by a bobbling ball at vital moments. 1-0 to the Yellows.

As we would expect, the Bulls responded by pressing hard for an equaliser. Despite rattling the Burnham goalpost near the end of the half, the Bulls couldn't quite find a way through. As half-time loomed, substitute Luke predicted confidently that he would get the goal that the Bulls needed in the second half!

At half time the Bulls were determined not to lose their unbeaten record.

The second half was a great contest between two very evenly matched teams. Early in the half it seemed that Luke's prediction would come true, as Ollie broke out of defence and played a clever through ball for Luke to run on to. The pass was a bit too heavy and the Burnham keeper managed to claim the ball just before Luke could get to it, but it was an encouraging sign that chances would come...

Hardly a few minutes later and there was an action replay. Ollie broke out of defence and played an excellent through ball through to Luke. This time the pass was perfect and left Luke one-on-one against the Burnham keeper. Deadly! 1-1!

A draw was enough to salvage the Bulls unbeaten record, but the champions pressed for a winner. As the game entered the last quarter, the Bulls took the lead. Quick thinking from Max released Ollie with a short corner. Ollie headed for goal and unselfishly picked out Callum unmarked on the edge of the Yellows penalty box. A cool, confident finish from Callum gave the keeper no chance. "Good goal," said the sporting Burnham coach, quietly. "Yeeeeeesssssss!!", said the Bulls coach, much less quietly.

(Well done to Ollie for creating both of the Bulls goals).

Burnham gave everything to try to rescue a draw, but the Bulls were solid. Congratulations to Lewis, who picked up MOTM for the latest in a series of excellent performances, and to Jack who had kept a crucial second-half clean sheet for the second week running.

Burnham away was always likely to be the hardest fixture of the season. To give Burnham a goal start and to emerge as winners took a great fighting spirit. The Bulls have completed the double over both of their nearest competitors, showing that they have the determination and character to win the hard games against other good teams.

Well done Bulls. Only two games away from recording an unbeaten league season!