Chniba goes from villain to hero as Blues knock Hungerford out of cup

Burnham are starting to make progress in the league and cup, with the Blues moving into the play-off spots on Saturday with a 2-1 away win over Edgeware & Kingsbury.

Ben Murray's (right) side followed that by becoming one of the first teams through to the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup quarterfinals after overcoming Hungerford Town of the Southern League Premier South 2-0 at the 1878 Stadium on Wednesday.

The Blues may have expected to beat 18th placed Edgeware on Saturday, but they had things far from their own way, with Firas Chniba sent off for the visitors at Silver Jubilee Park. Goals from Anas Igozouln and Jack George Penton saw them take the points after Hedley Osahenokhere Ogbebor scored for the home side early in the first half.

The result lifted Burnham to fifth in the table - and inside the play-off places for the first time in several weeks - and with games in hand on the sides above them they could yet make up further ground on fourth-placed Bedfont Sports and third placed Virginia Water. It looks like Flackwell Heath in second and leaders Rayners Lane will be too difficult to reel in however.

On Wednesday evening, Chniba redeemed himself by scoring two goals to send the Blues through to the final eight of the County Cup in freezing cold conditions.

Taking on opponents playing two levels above them - with Hungerford challenging for promotion back to the National League South - they earned a deserved victory with two second half goals from Chniba.

Beaconsfield are also through to the quarter finals of the county cup after claiming a 3-1 win at Ascot United on Tuesday evening. Two goals from Luke Neville and a strike from James Dobson saw the Rams through with all the goals coming in the first half at the Racecourse Ground.

Burnham are back in action at second from bottom Wallingford & Crowmarsh in the league on Saturday.