Published: Thursday, 27th December, 2007 15:31
Last-gasp agony for Blues
By Observer Sport
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Southern Football League
Division One South & West
Marlow 2, Burnham 1
BURNHAM FC suffered their second Southern League loss in as many weeks with a 2-1 defeat at derby rivals Marlow on Boxing Day (yesterday).
Although it was only the Blues’ third defeat all season, they have now lost the momentum they gained from an unbeaten run that stretched back to August.
Manager Dave Mudge felt a double leg-break suffered by midfielder Miles Norman at Didcot Town last week got to one or two of the player and resulted in a rather flat performance at Marlow.
He said: “I’ve got to earn my money now and try to pick everyone up.”
Norman was released late last night (Wednesday) after spending Christmas in hospital.
He has an operation on his leg and ankle on Christmas Eve after sustaining the injury in the early stages of the game, which was subsequently abandoned.
Norman is expected to be present for the Blues’ big derby game against Windsor & Eton on New Year’s Day (Tuesday), but faces a long rehabilitation before he will be fit to play again.
On Boxing Day, Jermaine Roche opened the scoring for the hosts after just eight minutes and, despite Simon Goodrham bringing the scores level early in the second half, Jack Smillie secured the points with a last-gasp goal in the 90th minute.
Marlow looked the more lively side right from the start. The closest Burnham came to threatening the Marlow goal was on seven minutes when Ryan Bird had his shot easily stopped by Keiron Drake.
A minute later Marlow took the lead when Roche fired home from the edge of the penalty area.
And the former Windsor striker was causing problems again when another shot went past goalkeeper Jon Beames and required Chris Owens to clear the danger.
Burnham withdrew Lee Canavan on 28 minutes and brought on Byron Bubb looking for a goal. This ushered their best spell of the half with both Jeff Brown and Dan Willment testing Drake.
Manager Dave Mudge kept his players out in the middle for the half-time break and – after a scare when James Flint hit the crossbar – they got back on level terms on 55 minutes.
A poor clearance from the Marlow defence set up Goodrham, who fired home from outside the penalty area.
Marlow continued to have the better of things and really should have sown the result up earlier than they did.
Roche was involved in everything and hit the post with an effort before the winner came in injury-time.
A Burnham attack was broken down and Jack Smillie was on hand to score the all-important goal.
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