Burnham in the hunt for runners-up spot

It seems remarkable to think that just five weeks ago, Burnham were languishing in the relegation zone after a season of below par performances and now they sit on the cusp of sneaking the runners-up spot.

It has been quite some turnaround for Mohammed Fazal’s late bloomers, winning five of their last seven games and also picking up a draw. The way Burnham have shot up the league shows just how tight Home Counties Premier Division 2 (West) has been this season.

With neighbours Farnham Royal winning the title on Saturday, a three way tussle for second place will be decided this weekend between Wokingham, Finchampstead and Burnham.

“That would be quite something wouldn’t it?” grinned skipper Fazal.
“I said at the start of the season that I wanted to avoid relegation and that is what we’ve done.”

He added: “Five or six weeks ago we were in the bottom two and most of the season have been in the bottom two. But we’ve been on a good run and with Aftab Khan coming in he’s made a difference.

“We did what we needed to do at the turn of the season. We had to win six out of eight. So far we’ve won five and drawn one.”

While some thought that the writing was on the wall for Burnham earlier this season, Fazal has also harboured the belief that his side could pull through.

He said: “Sometimes you lost and feel you didn’t play well, but I always felt that we generally played well.”

Against already down Kidlington on Saturday, Burnham skittled the home side for just 84.

Aftab Khan, Nawaz and Harveer Gandam were decisive with the ball while Habib Khan led Burnham to 85-2 in reply.

Burnham welcome relegation threatened Buckingham Town to the Memorial Ground on Saturday.

Fazal commented: “This week we’ll go into the game as we normally do and look to win.”