Youthful Blues give boss Shone a ‘pleasing’ win

A youthful Burnham FC side gave their manager Paul Shone a pleasing win on Tuesday as they came from behind to beat Easington Sports 3-1.

With injuries to Burnham’s regular starters Gavin James, Sam Coles and Matt Ayres, Shone was forced to depend on some of his less experienced players and said after the final whistle they’d ‘done him proud’.

Ryan Tackley and Kian Duncan were on target for the Blues as they overcame an early setback to pick up three hard-earned points. The victory lifts Burnham to within a couple of points of fourth placed Shrivenham, with Shone targeting a top four spot this season.

“It was pleasing to go away from home after not playing for a week and earn a very good and convincing win,” said Shone.

“It was just what we required after the last game we played.

“We stressed that goals change games and if you don’t take your chances when you’re on top, then you’re going to come unstuck and that’s where teams will punish you.

“That’s what happened against Shrivenham. But last night was a much better performance and the scoreline could’ve been heatlhier.

“When you look at our line-up, the average age of the squad was 19 or 20 years old and we had a new goalkeeper in between the sticks who was only 18.

“With Gavin James, Sam Coles and Matty Ayres still missing, it’s an opportunity for the rest of the squad to step up. They’ve been waiting for their chance and when we’ve given them the chance they rightly took it.

“It’s pleasing because it shows you they’ve got the hunger, the character and the desire to want to be in the side. It was a good performance that sets us up nicely for Friday.”

Burnham can make up more ground on the top sides when they visit Binfield tomorrow evening (Friday), in what will be their fourth meeting in all competitions this season.

Shone insisted his side are full of confidence ahead of the clash.

“We know what they’ll be like. It’ll be tough but we’ve got nothing to fear,” added Shone.

“We go there on the back of a good win against Easington and it’s all down to them to try and beat us.

“They’re a much more senior eleven but we’ll go there with our young side.

“We’re looking to cause an upset and I’m sure if we perform like we did last night and how we’ve performed for most of this season, we’ll get a result.”