NKF return with an early victories
NKF Burbage started their pre-season on the back of an unforgettable year that saw them complete the treble.
First up for Burbage was Hinckley rivals Leicester Road FC who are an established Midland Football League Division 1 team. After a shakey first ten minutes Burbage settled in to the match and had two excellent chances. Firstly skipper Nathan Astill put his effort over from just a couple of yards then new boy, Gardner, saw his effort cleared off the line.
Burbage were left rueing these missed chances as on 38 minutes Gomez put Leicester Road 1-0 up.
Burbage didn’t have to wait long to be level, Tom Smith, broke away and finished with ease past Blewitt. The teams remained level at half time.
The second half saw a lot of changes, Burbage looked comfortable in possession of the ball and clearly wanted the local bragging rights.
On 78 minutes the Adcock brothers combined and Jess finished superbly from just inside the box and the ball cannoned in off the bar to give Burbage a lead that they wouldn’t let slip.
They ensured they were the ones with the local bragging rights, albeit just a friendly match.
Both teams looked in good condition considering it was their first game of pre-season and both will be hoping to build of last year’s successes that saw both clubs win their respective County Cups.
Burbage then travelled to Midland Football League Premier Division side, Coventry Sphinx.
This was a really encouraging game and performance for every- one involved with Burbage.
They again found themselves 1-0 down this time after just five minutes.
However they were not being outplayed and with new boy Scott Smith showing encouraging signs up front.
Burbage did create a glorious chance and Smith will feel he should have done better when through on goal, his tame left-footed effort was easily dealt with by the Sphinx keeper.
Broadbent was back in goal for Burbage and he made a sharp save low down to keep the score at 1-0.
The second half saw a change in formation and more new faces for Burbage.
They didn’t have to wait long to be level, Heath scoring from a free kick, the ball deflected off the wall giving the keeper no chance.
Gardner then made it 2-1 to Burbage when he beat the keeper to the ball and headed over him.
Not many minutes later substitute, Jordan Rushton, saw red for an off the ball incident that the linesman had seen, the Sphinx manager also got sent from the touch line in the same incident.
This did not faze Burbage against the Premier side, Broadbent made a fine save a full stretch and Charlie Adcock saw his left footed effort cannon off the bar.
Burbage sealed the win when Gardner rounded the keeper and squared it Brown who had the simple job of tapping in to an empty net from just a few yards out.
Next up for Burbage is the short trip down the A5 to take on Atherstone Town.