The score didn’t give a true reflection of an incident packed match. Unfortunately for Abingdon the end result was their failure to convert their first half dominance into goals.

From the kick of Abingdon were in control with long diagonal balls finding the wide men and slick pass and move plays kept the home side chasing shadows at times. Billy Beechers tested Michael Parkin in the first two minutes as he fired on the turn and Mark Janes a 20 yard lob after a poor clearance but both were taken without concern.

With Burnham being all over the place at the back, Beechers was a couple of feet wide from 18 yards out. Completely against the run of play and in their first foray into the area after 14 minutes, the home side took the lead, after Nic Jackson undid the Abingdon rearguard and pulled the ball across the six yard box for Jamie Handscmbe to sweep home.

United wasted no time in levelling within a minute as a through ball found James Organ on the run and the keeper charged out to clatter him to the ground for a penalty. Anaclet Odhiambo sent the goalie the wrong way and United seemed to be back on track.

Abingdon kept the pressure up and Ryan Curtin cut past two defenders and drilled in a low shot that Parkin could only get a foot on it to steer it clear. The ball ran to Micheas Herbert and his first timer hit the goalies foot again and the ball looped over the bar.

Curtin got behind the defence again and set up Odhiambo but he wasted the chance from near the penalty spot putting it too high.

Burnham registered their second shot on the half hour with a tame effort well wide but should have had a penalty on the stroke of half time. A free kick 25 yards out was blocked and as it bounced around the area a hand went up and pushed the ball away. Despite howls of protest the ref waved play on and Abingdon had a lucky escape.

The second half saw Burnham push forward 10 yards and compress the space and concentrate on closing down the visitors quickly and this worked as they slowly took over the game. Odhiambo sent a chance just over the angle after 55 minutes but soon after the home side took the lead with Ryan Bird netting with a header from a free kick.

Curtin was behind the rearguard again and but his ball across the face of the goal was just too far away for Herbert and was hacked clear.

Burnham swarmed forward and only a couple of last ditch tackles stopped the home side from extending their lead. It only delayed the situation as Leon Yarnie used his strength to keep the ball and lay it on for Ben Hudeil who seemed to send in a dipping cross shot that dropped over Lee Farrow’s outstretched arm and into the top corner.

When he did a carbon copy 10 minutes later it seemed the first may have been intended and this put Burnham 4-1 up and threatening to score more. However Abingdon kept fighting and late on Tom Austin picked up a bad clearance and selected his spot but a tremendous save from sub keeper Sam Southernden kept him out.

The difference on the day was Burnham took their chances when they were on top and Abingdon didn’t.

Team: Farrow, Burton, Organ, Davies, Woodley, McCalmon, Janes, Herbert, Beechers, Odhiambo, Curtin

Subs used: Brooks on for Janes (60), Holden on for Beechers (77), Austin on for Burton (78)

Subs not used: Franklin, Parker

Attendance: 107