BURNHAM manager Paul Shone believes the quality of football from his side was exceptional in an 8-0 win against Milton United on Saturday, writes Rob Stevens.

The Blues returned to the top of the Hellenic Division One East table following their victory at The Gore, which included a second-half hat-trick from Dean Allen.

A goal from James Tripp gave the hosts a narrow lead after the break, with Oliver Harris scoring twice after half-time, plus further goals from Aiden Higgs and Dan Molloy.

Shone told the Observer: "Milton came with a gameplan, which we already knew about, to defend from minute one.

"They were organised and defended deep, but we finally managed to score right on half-time and deservedly so.

"We came out of the traps in the second-half and game opened up after we scored our third goal.

"The scoreline is convincing and rightly so because we played some great football, which is pleasing."

Burnham have now scored an incredible 96 goals in 27 games in all competitions this season, but Shone would be just as happy to win by a single strike.

He said: "It's great to be scoring goals and the team are taking their chances, which is pleasing, but if we can win every game from now until the end of the season 1-0, I would take that as well."

The Blues are now two points clear ahead of the chasing pack in the league table ahead of a trip to sixth-placed Penn & Tylers Green this Saturday (3pm).

Shone said: "It (the title) looks like it could be between us, Aldermaston and Thame Rangers. You get nothing for being top now although it's good to be up there.

"We've put five, seven and eight goals past Penn already this season, but this is a league game so I'm sure they'll be more organised.

"We've got to be mentally right for the game and go about our business and hopefully the performance will do us justice.

"If we can perform to the levels we have been then there's no reason why we can't come away with the three points."