Jacob Potter is part of The FA Young Reporters’ Club. He is 22 years old and graduated with a Sports Journalism degree from Southampton Solent University in the summer of 2018. A huge Reading fan, Jacob follows them home and away.
Burnham came into this Emirates FA Cup first round qualifying tie as real underdogs against a Bury Town side who are playing their football two divisions above.
Not many of the 138-strong crowd would have predicted that Burnham would advance but after a cagey affair, Daniel Fosu’s close-range strike early in the second half proved to be the difference.
Burnham famously reached the first round of The FA Cup back in 2005, where they were beaten by Aldershot, and Paul Shone and his young side will be hopeful of progressing through the competition after this impressive display.
Shone, who previously managed Flackwell Heath, expressed his delight at the hard-fought win.
He said: “There’s the prize money for us progressing to the next round, so for the club off the field, it’s great.
“But also, for us on the field, it shows that we’re doing something right and that we’re certainly going in the right direction. The club’s ambition is to move up and onwards and that’s our main objective.”
What is even more remarkable about the win is the number of youngsters that featured for Burnham, including the likes of Ramel Sutherland, Theo Alexander and Kian Duncan.
Shone was full of praise for the young players that have featured so far this season and feels that some of his side have the ability to be playing at a higher level.
He added: “They have got the potential to do very well.
“They’ve got the right attitude and that’s exactly why they’re at this football club as this club wants to move forward.
“There’s a few in that dressing room that can go and play two or three levels higher than they currently are but that’s ultimately down to their work ethic and how much they want it.”
Alexander was a constant threat throughout, causing the Bury Town defenders numerous problems, while Ash Watson struck the post midway through the first half from a free kick.
Bury Town were made to rue missed chances as Jake Chambers-Shaw and Tommy Robinson were denied by Burnham goalkeeper Sam Bunting who was in inspired form to keep the Isthmian League side at bay.
Burnham now wait to see who they face in the second round qualifying, but one thing you can guarantee is that they will not fear any team in the hat.
The result means that Burnham are one of three teams currently playing in the tenth tier of English football to have reached the second round qualifying, alongside Atherstone Town and Anstey Nomads.
If you are aged between 18 and 24 and are interested in joining The FA's Young Reporters' Club, please e-mail Editor@TheFA.com with an excerpt from an essay, match report or interview you have written. Tell us a bit about yourself, too, and we may well get in touch with you ahead of the next round.
