Burnham FC humiliated by Thame United on Hellenic League return

Thame United 8, Burnham 1

Burnham's return to Hellenic League football got off to the worst possible start last night as they were thrashed 8-1 by Thame United.

Dave Tuttle’s Blues fell behind after only two minutes and their night got progressively worse from that moment on.

The two teams had barely kicked off when Ben Connelly was released down the right and his cross was headed past visiting keeper Joe Broadley by Andy Gledhill.

It was 2-0 before the Blues had chance to get the first goal out of their systems when Lynton Goss beat the offside trap and poked the ball to Broadley’s right in the third minute.

Three more first half goals would follow for the hosts with Goss crossing for Gledhill to finish confidently in the 15th minute. The Blues went on to be buried under an avalanche of goals but there was one encouraging moment when Seve Mayberry forced the ball past the Thame keeper in the 25th minute.

It was only a temporary respite, however, as Dan West stung Broadley’s palms with a 20-yard drive before Goss then won, and converted a penalty on the half-hour mark and West netted the hosts fifth in the 38th minute with a low free-kick.

If Tuttle hoped to see an improvement from the visitors after the break he was mistaken as West slid in the home side’s sixth from Goss’ cross. Gledhill then completed his hat-trick with a perfectly timed run and finish from Dugmore’s cross and Thame completed their 8-1 rout when Gregory struck a powerful shot beyond Broadley from the edge of the box in the 63rd minute. United had further chances to extend their lead but at least Burnham were spared the indignity of being beaten by double digits.

And if they thought life in the Hellenic Premier Division was going to be easier after their double demotion out of the Southern League it looks like they’re going to be very much mistaken.  

Flackwell Heath 3, Bracknell Town 1

Paul Shone’s first competitive match in charge of Flackwell Heath ended in a 3-1 win over Bracknell Town at Wilks Park last night.

The Heathens’ night got off to a bad start when the Robins took the lead from the penalty spot in the fifth minute, Callum Whitty calming stroking the ball past Dan Weait after Ian Davies was fouled in the box.

But the hosts gradually worked their way back into the contest and a flying header by James Tripp from a corner restored parity midway through the half.

Dan Rapley then netted to give the Heathens the half-time advantage and Joey Blount extended their lead in the second half to make the final score 3-1.