BURNHAM’S recent run of improved performances and close defeats came to a grinding end when they crashed 5-0 to high-flying Bracknell Town at The Gore on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

After the match Director of Football Luther Blissett kept the dressing-room door shut for quite a time to discuss things with his players.

He emerged to tell the Observer: “It was always going to be a very difficult game.

“We started off a little bit unsure, but just when it started to look as though we were going to turn the tide from the pressure we were under, we conceded the first goal and gave them (Bracknell) a foothold in the game.

“The second goal came from another error from us and they went in at half-time with a two-goal lead.”

Blissett continued: “We knew then it was going to be difficult to get back in the game and even our players said the next goal was going to be crucial.

“Bracknell got it and confidence and belief went their way and we were up against it again.”

Blissett had two new coaches alongside him on the bench, with former Arsenal defender and Aston Villa coach Scott Marshall and Slough Academy coach Liban Omar having joined the club last week.

All three will have been disappointed with what they saw as very few players showed their true form against one of the strongest sides in the Hellenic League.

Blues did hold their own in the opening stages and managed to keep Bracknell at bay for more than half-an-hour.

But once Adam Cornell had opened the scoring in the 34th minute there was only one team who were going to win.

Keeper Tom Bryant came to his side’s rescue on several occasions, but he could do nothing to prevent Cornell from scoring again just before half-time.

Burnham were being outplayed in every department, although skipper Danny Wilson worked overtime to try to keep his defence together.

But there was no stopping Cornell, who has scored more goals this season than the entire Burnham team put together.

The hot-shot took his tally to 28 (four more than Burnham) from 26 games with two more goals in the second half, while Joe Grant added the other.

It was the third time Bracknell had won at The Gore this season, having earlier triumphed in two cup ties.

And, after visiting Brimscombe & Thrupp on December 17, Blues have the return league fixture at Bracknell on Boxing Day.

By then they may have strengthened the squad as Blissett revealed he was hoping to see “two or three” new faces at training this wee.”

He has already boosted his coaching staff with the arrival of Marshall and Omar, saying: “These two guys are very good at what they do and will have a big influence here.”