Liss Athletic Reserves 1 - 3 Burridge AFC AET

Burridge recorded a satisfying extra time win in the Hampshire Cup against Wessex Combination side Liss Athletic. As usual with Burridge, things were far from straightforward. Liss went ahead early in the first half as Burridge concentrated on appealing for handball rather than play to the whistle, the ball fizzing past an equally static Sam Schwodler from twenty-five yards. Undeterred, Burridge went on to create a plethora of meaty chances on what’s rumoured to be Hampshire’s largest non-league playing surface. Bryn Schwodler was the guilty party. Evidence of his finishing in the first half was reminiscent of Nottingham Forest’s 1990’s goal bodger Jason Lee, who like Schwodler, went through a well publicised spell of being seemingly unable to finish his cornflakes, let alone several very presentable one on ones opportunities.


The game followed a similar pattern in the second half, as Liss' forays into attack were fleeting; Burridge continued to knock hard on the Liss door. At the heart of much of the creativity was Jamie Hewitt whose crisp control seldom gave away possession, and from his corner kick came the equaliser, as Bryn Schwodler rose to head home. Burridge were unlucky not to win in ninety minutes when Ben Hutton’s slide rule pass found Greg Baker, whose low right footer was tipped onto the post to fall agonisingly short of Paul Andrews’ size 12. As darkness fell on came the floodlights, and with penalty kicks seemingly inevitable, Hewitt sold his marker a dummy to cross from the right for Bryn Schwodler to meet beautifully on the volley. With Liss now a beaten side there was time for Schwodler to race clean through on goal and claim his hat-trick, atoning for his first half calamities. The game was up and Burridge were in the draw for the next round.

4-4-2: S.Schwodler, L.Sanderson, M.Sanderson, K.Willsher, J.Schwodler (M.Reeves), G.Baker, B.Hutton, J.Newman (S.Froud), J.Hewitt, P.Andrews (J.Hutton), B.Schwodler Unused Subs: M.Birks, P.Dyke

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VTFC RESERVES 3 - 2 BURRIDGE AFC

Saturday 21st October
Portsmouth Road

Burridge managed to leave this game with some credit against Wessex Combination opponents. This seemed like an impossible task after the opening quarter of an hour, when Burridge were torn to pieces. Before some players had even touched the ball, Vospers were two goals up with the smell of blood about their nostrils, there total dominance suggested that an avalanche of goals was about to subside. But, such is the perverseness of football, things were about to change. Burridge midfielder Ben Hutton delicately evaded several challenges, and after being denied illegally the chance to shoot on goal, the referee blew for a penalty kick.

Up stepped Greg Baker, his brand new Addidas World Cup size tens still fresh from the box to stroke home. Vospers had been rattled, lowly Burridge had the temerity to score past them and this seemed to vex them no end. They were soon to be back from the dead, just like Jesus. But instead of a wooden cross it was a Justin Newman right-wing cross that was the catalyst for resurrection. The Vospers goalkeeper cam flapping at it like a doomed contestant at the annual Bognor Birdman. Greg Baker collected his spill and walloped home the equalizer.

During the second half Burridge fought on resolutely without ever really being able to control the game. Vospers - fresh from a half-time grilling - created several opportunities to go in front, and what turned out to be the winning goal came from a corner from the right, diverted high into Sam Schwodler's top left hand corner via a neck. Not conventional, but Vospers were off the hook, whilst Burridge held true to their motto: Win or lose, on the booze.

4-4-2: S.Schwodler, M.Sanderson (J.Schwodler), K.Willsher, P.Dyke, L,Sanderson, G.Baker, M.Reeves (J.Hewitt), B.Hutton, J.Newman (S.Froud), B.Schwodler, L.Fielder. Unused subs: P.Andrews, J.Hutton

SPARTANS 2-1 BURRIDGE AFC

Saturday 14th October
Green Park, Millbrook

Burridge went down to their second league defeat of the season. Whack, whack whack is a sound not unfamiliar to the area of Millbrook, but the recipient of hefty blows was not the fallen body of an innocent bystander but the Burridge crossbar - as Spartans hit it three times in the opening ten minutes. So, it was no great surprise when Spartans took the lead. Centre-half Paul Dyke gave chase to a runaway Spartans forward but it was in vain.

Spartans second goal seemed highly dubious. Not only did it appear offside but the ball was also removed from goalkeeper Sam Schwodler's grasp. But, considering the charmed life the Burridge uprights had been leading maybe this was simply luck evening itself out. Not to be out done Burridge scored themselves. Speedy little Lee Fielder put his opposing number under pressure sufficient enough for him to bury the ball past his own keeper, and somehow resisted
the temptation of embracing him in celebration.

Such a devastating finish surely deserved so much as a ruffle of mane or pat on the bottom; much like poor Brian Laws of Nottingham Forest, who on scoring past his own in the 1989 F.A. Cup Semi Final was greeted by the oncoming John Aldridge of Liverpool who playfully disturbed Laws' obedient centre parting with the loving gusto of a flea grooming ape. The second half was a lively affair- but neither team were able to add to their tally. Burridge had paid the price for a slow start.

4-4-2: S.Schwodler, M.Sanderson, P.Dyke, K.Willsher, J.Schwodler (L.Sanderson), J.Newman, S.Froud, M.Reeves, B.Hutton, B.Schwodler, L.Fielder (P.Andrews). Unused subs: G.Baker, J.Hutton

Burridge 5 - 0 Hythe

Burridge returned to winning ways and now find themselves in second place. Hotly tipped Team Solent - managed by ex-Saint Jon Gittens - lost to BTC, leaving Spartans as the only team in the division yet to taste defeat. Burridge's pre-match preparations were dealt a blow when they were forced to field their forth goalkeeper of the season after Sam Schwodler declared himself unavailable. Paul Andrews volunteered his services, and any nerves were soon dissipated by his appearance in the goalkeeper's jersey, stepping onto the field with the knowing gait of a Francesco Toldo, Gregory Coupet or Santiago Canizares. His sleeves pulled up casually towards his elbows reinforcing the image of a seasoned continental shot stopper. Standing at six foot three and neatly framed by the striking white uprights of the goal, he proceeded to position his defence with the strategic nous of Gary Kasporov at the chess table.

With the back door firmly shut, Burridge grew in confidence. By half time they were two goals up - both as a result of wide players getting in behind the opposing defence - a tactic championed by John Barnes in his rap cameo on New Order's 1990 single: World in motion.' It serves as a clear instruction that: You've got to hold and give but do it at the right time. You can be slow or fast but you must get to the line. They'll always hit you and hurt you - defend and attack, there's only one way to beat them: get round the back. Wise words, John. Wise words.

Lee Fielder - making his first competitive start of the season - was scorer of the first; Ben Hutton got the second, his first competitive goal for the club. Hythe managed to stem the flow of Burridge's attacks until Jaimie Hewitt weaved through to provide Fielder with his second of the afternoon. Skipper Kev Willsher got a rare goal when heading home a corner, and Bryn Schwodler kept up his goal a game ratio by drilling home a penalty kick. Can Burridge maintain these dizzy heights?


4-3-3: P.Andrews, M.Sanderson, K.Willsher, P.Dyke, L.Sanderson (M.Birks), J.Newman (G.Baker), M.Reeves, B.Hutton, B.Schwodler, J.Hewitt, L.Fielder (J.Schwodler)