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    • Dennis double fires Burnham clear at the top as Holyport finally halt slide

    Daniel Darlington

    danield@baylismedia.co.uk

    12:59PM, Monday 19 January 2026

    Shyon Dennis. Photo: Paul Butler/Burnham FC

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    Burnham 2, Virginia Water 0

    Burnham moved four points clear at the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division North table on Saturday after turning up the tempo to beat Virginia Water 2-0 at home.

    Having been held to a 1-1 draw by Wallingford & Crowmarsh in mid-week, Virginia Water were doing a good job of frustrating the Blues once again in the first half on Saturday.

    But joint managers Mo and Omz Bakali got the response they were looking for from their team in the second half and Shyon Dennis scored twice in the 55th and 61st minutes to settle the clash.

    Dennis broke the deadlock in sensational fashion, whipping a perfect free kick into the top corner from just outside the area.

    That strike sent Virginia Water rocking back on their heels, and he was at it again six minutes later. Capitalising on some strong hold up play and a flick on from Jordan Brown, Dennis got in on the left side of the area.

    His initial shot was blocked by the keeper, but it looped into the air and he quickest to react and tap the ball into the unguarded net.

    The hosts then saw the game through to its conclusion with an air of authority and the result moves them four points clear at the top of the table.

    The Blues now have two tricky away games to come at North Greenford United tomorrow evening (Tuesday) ahead of Saturday’s trip to Ardley United. The hosts will have their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Burnham a couple of weeks ago fresh in their minds ahead of the clash.

    Speaking to Burnham director Paul Butler after the game, Dennis said: “Before the free kick, Archie has told me to go on the keeper’s side. The gaffer also told me, head over the ball and hit is as hard as I can since I’ve got a good shot. That’s what I’ve done.

    “For the second goal, Jordan Brown has held the ball up well and managed to flick it to me. Luckily the shot ricocheted off the keeper and it was an open goal, I finished it.

    “Credit to the other team. They came to try and grab the three points in the first half. They made it difficult for us. But second half, we turned it up a notch. The whole team stepped it up a gear and they couldn’t handle us.

    “North Greenford will be a tough game on Tuesday but hopefully we can take the three points and stay on top.”

    Ashford Town and Wallingford & Crowmarsh also both skipped above Broadfields United into second and third after respective wins over Harefield United (0-3) and Abingdon United (5-2) on Saturday.

    Ardley United, who have lost their last two games to Wallingford & Crowmarsh and Burnham, are fifth – 10 points behind the Blues but with five matches in hand.

    Windsor & Eton frustratingly saw their FA Vase fourth round tie at home to Fisher postponed due to an unplayable pitch at Stag Meadow.

    The tie has been rescheduled for this coming Saturday (January 24, 3pm kick-off).

    The Royalists sit seventh in the Combined Counties Premier Division North, 12 points behind Burnham, but Rob Webb's side have seven matches in hand over the Blues. 

    They have a whopping 12 matches in hand over the team just ahead of them in the table, Hilltop.

    They’ll hopefully tick one of those off when they visit 17th placed Amersham Town tomorrow evening (Tuesday).

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    Holyport 3, Hilltop 1

    Holyport gave their ailing season some much-needed hope on Saturday with an encouraging 3-1 win over Hilltop at Summerleaze Park.

    Port were in desperate need of a victory to get their season going again – having lost their last 12 matches in all competitions.

    And there could be no complaints from Hilltop who were outplayed in the first half and came off trailing 3-0.

    Playing their first home game since December 13, Port quickly took control of matters with Harry Laflin scoring on his debut after only eight minutes. Rose supplied the cross from the left and Laflin finished confidently across the goalkeeper at the far post to get the game off to a bright start.

    The hosts then took full control of the game with a brace from Amari Dumont in the 32nd and 34th minute.

    His first came from Lucas Surpanu’s assist. Surpanu broke clear down the right and whipped the ball into the centre where Port had created an overload. Dumont took his time before coolly placing the ball past the keeper.

    His second gave Port a firmer grip on the contest. Laflin was the creator this time, lifting a ball over the top for Dumont to chase and he took the ball around the keeper before rolling it into the net.

    That grip was loosened slightly when Mohamed Hussein (52') pulled a goal back for Hilltop early in the second half, while Shaun Heuer was also sent off for a second bookable offense in the 76th minute, leaving the home side down to 10 for the final 15 minutes.

    Hilltop couldn’t capitalise though and the win moves Holyport back to within two points of safety, albeit having played more games than the teams just above them.

    Joint managers Lee Ovens and Dan Rapley will be looking to back this performance up when they return to Summerleaze Park on Saturday to take on mid-table North Greenford United.

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