Combined Counties review: Burnham close gap on Ardley after battling win over British Airways

Burnham in action against British Airways. Photo credit: Paul Butler/Burnham FC

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Burnham have moved back up to third in the Combined Counties Premier Division North after grinding out a hard-earned victory at home to British Airways at the 1878 Stadium.

Omz Bakali admitted afterwards the Blues hadn’t been at their best, but second half goals from Shyon Dennis and Jordan Ikala ensured that BA were grounded, despite Joshua Okello’s late consolation.

Until recently, the Blues were leading the way in the division, however, a spell of inconsistency around September, and a surprise recent home defeat to Ashford Town has allowed rivals to move above them.

Currently, Ardley United are in pole position on 38 points, with Burnham third on 33 points with a game in hand. Broadfields United are second on 34 points but have played three more matches than the Blues.

The Blues have also shown their character in recent weeks, overcoming Hythe Town on penalties last week to reach the next round of the FA Vase before going toe to toe with a talented young Wycombe Wanderers side in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup. They lost 3-0 but the tie was more competitive than the scoreline suggests.

On Saturday, they got back to winning ways in the league with a controlled and disciplined win over a BA side sitting 16th in the table.

The points were wrapped up by goals from Dennis in the 50th minute and Ikala in the 80th, making Okello’s injury-time strike for the visitors irrelevant.

Dennis beat the BA keeper in a foot race to a long ball over the top before walking in the opener in the 50th minute.

Their second was headed home by Ikala at the far post after good work to improvise a cross from the deadball line.

While time was nearly up when BA capitalised on an error in the Burnham defence to work an opening on the left. The initial shot was half saved by Archie Cunningham, but Okello reacted quickly to turn home the rebound.

Check out! All the goals from yesterday between Burnham and @BritishAFC @ComCoFL

Like, subscribe, tap #nonleaguefootball #goals #YouTube #FootballFans https://t.co/nvQ0B6q4h1

— Burnham Football Club (@BurnhamFC1878) November 16, 2025

The performance wasn’t perfect, but the result was all important and it lifts Mo and Omz Bakali’s side to third above fifth placed Windsor & Eton - who weren’t in action this weekend - and fourth placed Wallingford & Crowmarsh, who they lead on goal difference.

With first placed Ardley United and second placed Broadfields United not in action either, the Blues were able to close the gap to the leaders to four points with a game in hand.

After the game, joint coach Omz Bakali said: “It’s nice to be back in action in the league.

“First league match of the month and picking up three points, Not the best performance but got the job done,

“Allez les Bleu!”

Burnham now have the perfect opportunity to chase down one of the two sides above them when they host second placed Broadfields at the 1878 Stadium on Saturday. A win for the Blues would lift them to second.

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Elsewhere in the division, Holyport suffered a tough defeat at the hands of Wallingford & Crowmarsh where a heavily disputed penalty was awarded to the home side in the second half.

Port succumbed to their sixth straight defeat in all competitions, but it wasn’t for the want of trying, and the visitors certainly feel aggrieved at the penalty decision which went against them in the 50th minute.

Trailing to Harry Bonner’s fifth minute opener, Port acquitted themselves well for the most part and looked a threat. However, the questionable penalty decision gave Wallingford’s James Williams (55' pen) the chance to make it 2-0 and there was no way back for Lee Ovens and Dan Rapley’s side from there.

Kagwa grabbed a goal back with 15 minutes to play, but despite pressing late on, Port weren't able to force an equaliser. 

Having looked competitive at spells during a tough season, Port have fallen back into a disappointing rut of results.

They’ve also fallen to 18th in the table, just a point outside of the bottom two (drop zone) with two tough away fixtures to come at Milton United on Friday evening and Ashford Town (November 21) the following Saturday (November 29).

Goal highlights from our @comcofl league match v @wandcfc yesterday #Port goal from a great Kagwa McVicar combo!

Pen? Inside or outside the box? Fair challenge or a booking? You decide!

Sponsored by @PilotPenUK
Shirt sponsor #DanHorton@fiberkshire #step5 #HolyportFC pic.twitter.com/9XMz2PQyxb

— Holyport FC | Est 1897 (@HolyportFC) November 16, 2025

After a two-week break from competitive action, Windsor & Eton will also be back in league action on Saturday when they travel to British Airways.

Rob Webb’s side sit fifth in the table, just a point behind Burnham having played the same number of games. They are very much in promotion contention and are unbeaten in their last 11 matches in all competitions.