Burnham look to the future with Mo and Omz Bakali as joint managers

Burnham celebrate a recent goal. Photo by Jonathan Biss.

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Burnham are looking to the future with renewed optimism having appointed from within following the departure of former management team Ben Murray and Kavi Luchowa.

The Blues broke the news of Murray and Luchowa's departure by 'mutual agreement' on October 14, with the two parties said to be no longer 'aligned on the club's vision and expectations'

Since then, the Blues have installed Mo and Omz Bakali as joint managers from within. The pair were already part of the club's coaching set up and came to Burnham from Rising Ballers Kensington.

Gilbaut Batousol is the club’s assistant manager.

Club director, Paul Butler, said that at this stage the Blues are 'not looking elsewhere'.

So far, the pair have made a steady and unbeaten start their tenure as joint managers, drawing all four of their matches but progressing in two cup competitions by virtue of penalty shoot-out victories.

After news of Murray's departure was announced on Monday, October 14, the Blues defeated Woodley United 4-3 on penalties the following night (October 15) to advance in the Premier Challenge Cup.

They once again showed their nerve from the penalty spot in their FA Vase first round tie at home to Eastbourne United the following Sunday. Having held their visitors to a goalless draw, Burnham won the shoot-out 5-3 to advance to the next round and sparked scenes of jubilation in the home dressing room following the final whistle.

The club returned to league action on Wednesday evening (October 23), claiming a creditable 2-2 draw with Virginia Water at the 1878 Stadium. Jabir Laraba (19') and Nathan Mampono (86') scored either side of goals from Mark Bitmead (42') and Lewis Flatman (70') for the visitors.

Burnham displayed the same resilience against Broadfields United on Saturday, with Bilal Bakali (86') firing home a late equaliser to cancel out David Levy's fifth minute penalty for the visitors. Captain Lewis Batten was also sent off late in the game for Broadfields but the hosts ran out of time to capitalise on it.

Those results leave the Blues 11th in the table with 18 points heading into Saturday's game at British Airways. Still chasing a first victory inside 90 minutes, Mo and Omz would dearly love to give their tenure - and the Blues' season - lift-off with victory away to the seventh placed side.