BURNHAM manager Mark Tallentire is taking the positives from a 1-0 defeat to North Leigh at The Gore on Monday evening.
After an impressive 3-0 opening day victory at Mangotsfield United on Saturday, The Blues were beaten in an incident strewn clash with the Windmill Army.
Though both teams were clearly full of confidence, neither managed to find the net in a first-half marked by Burnham keeper Zaki Oulah saving a Jamie Cook penalty.
The deadlock was broken in the second period when Elliot Osbourne-Ricketts converted a loose ball after his spot-kick was kept out by Oulah.
The Blues’ best chance to salvage a point came in time added on, but James Foster performed heroics in the North Leigh goal to pull off a fine save from another penalty kick.
Despite losing, Tallentire does not feel too disappointed with his team, but he has criticised referee Robin Cox for spoiling the match for both sides.
Tallentire told the Observer: “We deserved a point at best and a chance is an understatement with a penalty in the last kick of the game, and their keeper made two fantastic saves.
“I was impressed with North Leigh, they’re a decent side. Our goalkeeper was excellent on the night as well, he saved two penalties and three or four chances in open play to keep us in the game.
“My only criticism was that the referee spoilt it a little and he hasn’t come out with all the colours on board. He changed the course of the game by giving strange penalties away, but you can’t do anything about that and just get on with it.
“I was disappointed to get beat but there are lots of things to be positive about – more positives than negatives. We looked solid again and no-one has scored against us in open play yet.
“Our attitude has been fantastic and there are far too many things to be positive about. We’re a work in progress and things like that [losing] will happen, so we move on and I’m not too disappointed.
Looking ahead to the visit of Wantage Town this Saturday, Tallentire said: “For me, it’s a game where we’re looking not to have back-to-back defeats.
“It’s about how we react and approach the match. I know the lads will be positive and it’s a game that holds no fear for us.”