ALAN PARIS is disappointed that travel problems meant Burnham began with only 10 players in a 3-1 defeat at Oxford City Nomads on Tuesday.

Paris is working hard to turn fortunes around at The Gore but was left downbeat after the midweek chaos, which leaves The Blues second from bottom in the Hellenic Premier Division.

Speaking to the Observer, the Burnham manager bemoaned: “It’s disappointing in a way because the London boys were not able to make the game.

“There was a firework display that got out of hand near the A40 which created traffic and the boys could not make the game. They could not get passed the accident with two lanes blocked and their estimated time of arrival became later and later.

“One car turned around and could not make it while the other got there at half-time, so we started with 10-men and played a man short for 45 minutes. We tried but would have had a better chance with 11 players on the pitch.

“It’s disappointing in the fact that we didn’t have enough local boys available to play. It’s disappointing that we could not get a full team out.”

Paris continued: “I’m happy with the effort on the pitch but we had to use players out of position in a re-shuffle and that’s a little disappointing. We went a goal behind due to having a player in the wrong position.

“Had we had our regular full-back we definitely would have prevented the first goal and that had a knock-on effect really.

“We’re not in the right position but starting to build slowly.”

Things do not get any easier for Burnham with second-in-the-table and promotion chasing Bracknell Town set to visit The Gore this Saturday (3pm).

Paris said “Bracknell are a good team and playing very well towards the top of the league, so it will be a tough game but we’re hoping to have most of the squad back.

“We had a few injuries as well on Tuesday so had to shuffle things around.

“We should have those boys available and be back to full strength on Saturday, with the addition of one or two.”

The Blues then make the journey across Berkshire to in-form Woodley United on Monday evening (7.45pm).

Paris added: “We’re looking to get points in every game and I’m not worried about performances at the moment. We’re trying to nick as many points as we can and I’m not worried about performances too much at the moment.”

Check out the Observer sports Facebook page. Search: Robert Observer Sport and like, follow and share today.