Burnham claim statement win over promotion rivals as title push gathers momentum

Burnham in action against Ardley United. Photo: Paul Butler/Burnham FC

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At step 5, Burnham were the only local team to get a match on this week, and they made the most of it, thrashing promotion rivals Ardley United 4-1 at the 1878 Stadium.

The victory – Burnham’s second on the spin after their 1-0 success at Reading City on December 27 – lifts the side three points clear of Ardley and up to second in the Combined Counties Premier Division North table.

Quietly, the Blues are going about mounting a very promising promotion push, with Mo and Omz Bakali’s side now undefeated in the league since October 29.

Five draws on the spin had seemingly knocked back their title hopes, but consecutive league wins over tough opponents in Reading City and Ardley have revived their hopes.

With a performance that illustrated their goals and intentions this season, Burnham swept to a convincing win on Saturday.

Jordan Brown – who was once on the books at West Ham - fired the home side level in the 10th minute, moments after Reuben Harry had given Ardley a ninth minute lead. Brown then doubled the hosts’ lead two minutes later. Jordan Ikala made the game safe for the Blues with a third in the 56th minute and Youssef Bouimane added a fourth in the 67th minute.

@BurnhamFC1878 v @ardleyunitedfc . 03-01-2026. (GOAL HIGHLIGHTS) https://t.co/VrUxykTK1p via @YouTube More videos on my YouTube channel, link is in my bio. Extended video to follow. Buy Me a Coffee if you wish to support me. Link is in the comments.

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Speaking to club director, Paul Butler, after the game, Brown said: “It wasn’t the best of starts, going 1-0 down, but we kept our heads. Didn’t really give them too much around our own box, and then we took our chances when they came to us.

”That led us into the second half and I thought the boys were brilliant in the second half. To win 4-1 at home, and beat them twice as well, that’s a big statement. For me, it’s my job to score. If I wasn’t here scoring goals, questions would be asked. But our team, to a man, everyone did their job and this man, who’s come in the last three games, has been outstanding as well.”

Brown was referring to Soul Hale, who put in another starring performance. On how he’s setted in, Hale said: “I’ve found it pretty easy because the team are so close together and supportive. It hasn’t been too much trouble. The boys have taken to me and I’ve just done what I do. It’s been easy to be fair. Today, the man I was playing against, was very strong. I’m young and it’s about learning how to play against different types of players and wingers. The coaching staff have really helped me with that. It’s something I’m learning really well.”

They had been due for a quick turnaround and a game at North Greenford United on Tuesday (January 6), but the game was postponed. Weather permitting they’ll be back at home against North Leigh at the 1878 Stadium this Saturday (January 10)

The Blues currently sit two points behind leaders Broadfields United with two matches in hand over them. They have three matches in hand over Wallingford & Crowmarsh in third and lead them by a point, while they have a three-point lead over Ardley – however, Ardley do have two matches in hand on them and still look well placed to challenge.

Windsor & Eton in eighth are perhaps the division’s dark horses. They haven’t played in the league or cup since December 20 – a 2-2 away draw at Harefield United – and have many matches in hand over all the teams above them. The Royalists have five matches in hand over Burnham but trail them by only eight points. They are 10 adrift of leaders Broadfields but have a whopping seven matches in hand over them.

Windsor & Eton are due to host Holyport in the league this Saturday, having been held to a goalless draw by Lee Ovens and Dan Rapley’s side at Summerleaze Park earlier in the season.

Port are in all sorts of bother at the opposite end of the table and didn’t get a chance to start putting that right over the Christmas period.

Their last game was a 2-0 defeat at North Leigh on December 20, their 11th straight loss in all competitions. It leaves them in the bottom two – five points from safety – and staring relegation in the face unless there’s a dramatic turnaround in form in the final months of the season.

Picking up points at Stag Meadow will be a tough ask but there is time yet to salvage their season.