This was a serious Ramblers defeat as it not only virtually obliterated their championship hopes, but it also saw them lose ground on Ilford; probably the only other side of genuine consequence in the league.

It was not just the points though.

Failure to win Saturday's game and establish themselves as the only team realistically chasing the leaders, was a blow to pride and probably to belief.

Albeit they were missing two key players, but there is a sense that the Ramblers side is not quite delivering the necessary goods.

Up front Burnham struggled for physical presence and Nicky Wright was missed in the middle for the same reason.

All the same, there was a spell in the first period when Ramblers dominated, and through their passing and movement, for a while were well on top.

Burnham found a rhythm after 20 minutes and created four good chances, the best falling to Brown and Francis, who both went close with headers.

Ilford began to contain the Ramblers and the quality of distribution from the midfield also deteriorated.

On 68 minutes, Burnham gave away possession once more from a badly executed free kick just in their own half.

The number of occasions this year, when long set plays have yielded any fruit at all, could be counted on one hand.

This was no different, when, with Huttley, out of place, Barry ran 30 yards and let fly a 'rocket' from the same distance, and Burnham goalkeeper Clare never got near the shot.

Ramblers skipper Sean Tracey was shortly after taken to hospital with what looked a serious ankle injury after falling awkwardly after a bad tackle. Cousins came on, back after his own injury and immediately looked quality.

Hewes' 86th minute header brought a fine save from Hayward and Burnham finished the game exerting considerable pressure - it was a pity it had not come earlier as Ilford were at last anxious.

Burnham Ramblers: Clare, Dobson, Tracey (Cousins), Arnold, Marchant (Hewes), Huttley, Brown (Fletcher), Younan, Francis, Down and Miyoba.

On Saturday Burnham travel to play Bowers for a league game (kick off 3pm).

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.