Blues suffer first league loss at home as fluid Cityzens turn on the style
After eight stellar victories on the spin in the Combined Counties Premier Division North, Burnham tasted defeat for the first time since February 28, as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Reading City on Saturday.
The defeat, and Flackwell Heath’s subsequent 3-0 win over Holyport on Tuesday evening, has seen Ben
Murray’s side slip back to fifth in the table, however Heath have now played all their matches and the Blues will nip back above them if they can pick up a point from either of their remaining games.
They’re set to visit North Greenford United this evening (Thursday) before hosting champions Ascot United at the 1878 Stadium on Saturday with a top four finish now their only possible prize.
Saturday was the Blues first league defeat of the season and only their second in all competitions this season however, second placed Reading were back to their fluid best, with George Pilbeam opening the scoring before half-time. Pilbeam netted again after the interval before substitute Daniel Price got himself on the scoresheet to provide a glimmer of hope for the Blues late on.
Speaking to the Advertiser this week, Murray said: “We were unfortunate to be honest. I thought we played well; Reading City just had a certain game plan and they scored two opportune goals.
“We accept it (the loss).
We’ve had a great run. Now we just must see out these last two games. We want to finish in the top four and I think we need one point to confirm that.
“They are two tough games, North Greenford away – on a pitch we won’t be great on – and then the champions,
Ascot, at home.”
On the Yellamen’s season, Murray was complimentary but said their rise to step 4 will give Burnham a better chance at promotion next year.
“Ascot are at the top because they have done everything right this season. Finances are important, yeah, but I am not someone that wants to put down on paper that they have gone up because they are financially better than everyone else,” he said.
“JT (Jamie Tompkins) has done a great job and I speak to him quite often. I think he’s someone that has had a set goal and he’s had the pressure on him all season. They’re the only team that, when they have had pressure on them, have delivered.
“They have dealt with the pressure better than anybody else regardless of whatever they have got financially. I don’t think that is anything to do with their success to be honest. They have obviously got the quality that they can bring off the bench that is as good as their starting quality. They have dealt with pressure all season, that’s the reason why they’ve won on penalties in the last two rounds of the FA Vase. Hopefully they can’t deal with the pressure on Saturday against us.”
Murray added: “Reading or Egham will go into the play offs and be the next to get promoted I imagine. I don’t know what will happen with the rest of the teams in this league, I don’t know if there will be a lot of other movement. Regardless, I know we will be one of the top teams next season. I am confident we will reach the play-offs at least.”