Ascot were two up within six minutes but Hungerford ran away with it after the break. 36 year Charlie Austin re-signed for Hungerford last week, and started tonight, but was not on the scoresheet.
A few notes on Burnham, who are having a good season. In tier 9, they sit in fourth place in the Combined Counties Premier North, eight points from the top with two games in hand. Top scorers are Shyon Dennis with 13 from 18, and Jordan Brown with 10 from 19. In the FA Cup they came through the two preliminary rounds before losing 3-0 at home to Jersey Bulls in the 1QR. A crowd of 130 watched that match, their highest gate of the season and in the league they average 71. Last Saturday they won on penalties at Hythe Town in the FA Vase 2R, and in the B & B they beat Sandhurst 5-2 at home.
This will be a tricky match for the Academy. The 3G pitch looks like one of the older style ones, quite a high bounce which makes ball control more difficult. It will be interesting to see if the village come out in numbers for their team, as Long Crendon and Penn & Tylers Green did. Burnham’s record attendance is 2,400, in the FA Vase semi-final against Halesowen in 1982-83, at their previous ground. The record at the 1878 Stadium is unknown.
I was at the Vase semi final v Halesowen, the visitors brought a huge following. If I remember correctly Halesowen led 2-1 in the 1st leg. Two quick goals in the 1st half at the Gore for the visitors killed the tie. We then got in the car, at half time and made the short journey to Wexham Park, to root on the Rebels to take points of our nearest title challengers Leytonstone/Ilford.
Slough with Dylan Evans up front duly won 2 nil, and the Wanderers did go onto win the league that season. Ironically it was clinched at Gander Green Lane, where we were beaten over 2 legs by Sutton in the Hitachi Cup, but found our nearest rivals Leytonstone and Hayes had dropped points to hand us the title.
HT B 0-1 WW. Just before the break, Burnham thought they had scored, ball appeared to be over the line but it was scrambled away for a corner. Chances for both sides, Shyon Dennis is a constant threat down their left wing, very quick. A very fast paced game, Burnham look a very young side. Could be over 300 here.
We’ve been rubbish tonight. And I’d say Burnham are a lesser side than Penn from what I’m seeing here. Need to speed up and draw them onto us and not look so lethargic in transition
Slough Town won 8-0 at Beaconsfield Town in the other tie tonight, HT 5-0. Abingdon United v Newport Pagnell Town was pp last night, waterlogged pitch, playing next Tuesday.
QF draw is tomorrow morning at 10:30 on Wycombe Sound.
