Published: Monday, 30th April, 2007 12:44
Blues into promotion play-offs
By Observer Sport
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Southern League Division One South & West
Lymington & New Milton 1, Burnham 2
A FINAL day victory against Lymington & New Milton secured Burnham Football Club a place in the Southern League Division One South & West promotion play-offs.
The Blues will now line-up against Swindon Supermarine at The Gore tomorrow (Tuesday) for a play-off semi-final. If they win, they will face either
Paulton Rovers or Taunton Town in a final that will see the winner promoted alongside league champions Bashley.
The 2-1 victory against Lymington on Saturday secured Burnham a third-placed finish in the league and guaranteed them a home tie on Tuesday.
Midfielder Dan Willment scored the winning goal on his 21st birthday after a Rob Saunders penalty cancelled out an earlier James Stokoe spot kick.
The first quarter of an hour was a rather nervous affair for the visitors as they looked to find a way through the home defence.
An 18-yard Lymington free-kick was fired high over the crossbar by Fawzi Saadi, but served as a warning shot to the Blues, who began to kick into gear.
Simon Goodrham had a shot saved by home goalkeeper Andy Bayliss and then Willment released the hard-working Leon Yarnie, who saw his shot blocked.
The home side took the lead on 35 minutes after the referee awarded a penalty. The league's second highest goal scorer, Stokoe, made no mistake from the spot.
However, four minutes later Burnham were awarded their own penalty and Saunders scored his 16th league goal of the season.
Burnham came out for the second period and immediately pressed the home team back. Jeff Brown saw a shot go wide and another from Willment took a
deflection and went for a corner.
On 70 minutes the breakthrough came when a ball from Stuart Swift found its way to the edge of the penalty area and the unmarked Willment struck home to score his first goal for the club.
The lead could have been extended after both Saunders and Swift hit the woodwork in the closing stages.
Tomorrow's game at The Gore, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham kicks-off at 7.30pm.
Further Details
Rebels and Rams share points