Windsor & Eton close the gap on Burnham as title race tightens

Isaiah Chase-Kelly. Photo: Richard Milam

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Burnham’s lead at the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division North has been cut to just three points, with rivals beginning to circle behind the Blues at the summit.

Mo and Omz Bakali’s side weren’t in league action at the weekend and watched on as potential title rivals cut into their lead.

Burnham's game at relegation threatened North Leigh was postponed. They're set to visit third placed Ashford Town at the Robert Parker Stadium on Tuesday in what's likely to be a pivotal clash for their promotion hopes. 

One of the teams to eat into that advantage were local rivals Windsor & Eton, who moved into the top five for the first time in several weeks with a 2-0 home win over Abingdon United.

Rob Webb’s Royalists were given a decent game by Abingdon in the first half at Stag Meadow, but goals from Luke Phillips in the 49th minute and Isaiah Chase-Kelly in the 61st turned momentum definitively in their direction.

A terrific crowd of more than 300 people saw the hosts take control of the game when Phillips rose well to head them in front. Chase-Kelly then doubled their advantage just after the hour mark and a Windsor side who’ve let in only two goals in five league games weren’t about to be troubled by Abingdon from there.

The result lifts them up to fifth in the table, now just eight points behind Burnham with six matches in hand.

Windsor & Eton are set to play North Greenford United tomorrow (Tuesday).

With the recent poor weather – and after several postponements – the away fixture is now scheduled to be played at Stag Meadow, at the request of North Greenford United. It will kick off from 7.45pm and season tickets will be valid for the fixture.

Second placed Broadfields United and third placed Ashford Town (Mddx) also have a very realistic chance of overhauling the Blues at the top.

Broadfields are three points adrift with two matches in hand after their late win over Reading City at Tithe Farm Sports and Social Club. It had looked like second half goals from City’s Muhamadou Ceesay (58') and Sam Tanner (72') would secure a point for the visitors, but Broadfields won it late on with a goal from David Levy (89').

Ashford Town didn’t play on Saturday but are five points behind the Blues with three games in hand.

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Holyport 2, Edgware & Kingsbury 1

At the other end of the table, Holyport secured a crucial win in their battle to avoid the drop.

Lee Ovens and Dan Rapley’s side defeated bottom of the table Edgware & Kingsbury 2-1 at Summerleaze Park, with the result more conclusive and comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

This was a game Port absolutely had to win if they’re to finish out of the bottom two this season and they edged in front in the 44th minute through Liam McVicar with Childress providing the assist.

Heuer then set up Zak Zaoui to score their second with around 20 minutes to play and that’s the way things remained until Edgware scored a consolation through Jake Pickett (90+4') deep into stoppage time. That goal may have frayed a few nerves among supporters, but Port held on for a deserved home win - their second on the bounce.

Speaking to club media after the game, Zak said: “I’ve been waiting for that goal for a long time. I’ve been in and out of the squad. But if you work hard. I’m just happy we’ve got the three points to be honest.

On tomorrow’s clash with eighth placed Milton United, Zak added: “We’ve got to build from today really. We know we’re going to be playing on the same pitch. We’ve got to keep doing what we know is best.”

The result lifts the side up to 17th, four points clear of the drop zone, but second bottom North Leigh and 18th placed Amersham Town both have five matches in hand over them.

They host Milton United at Summerleaze Park tomorrow evening in another crucial fixture.