Somerset County First Division

Burnham United 4, Shepton Mallet Reserves 0

BURNHAM United rounded off the year with a crushing 4-0 defeat of basement side Shepton Mallet Reserves.

Adam Lock bagged a brace for the hosts and Nathan Bishop and Warren Whitfield scored one apiece as Burnham recorded their fifth win of the season.

Manager Luke Hussey says he is pleased with his side's form and again paid tribute to the club's youth setup. He said: “We looked comfortable today and we are now four weeks unbeaten. It was great to give Jordan his debut start and see another Burnham United junior player progress to this level, but also to see our more experienced players control the tempo and momentum of the match.”

17-year-old Nathan Bishop opened the scoring as he beat two defenders and crashed home a shot from inside the corner of the box on 24 minutes.

Numerous chances were being created by the hosts and Adam Lock doubled the lead when he rose highest to head home on 40 minutes.

In the second period the visitors came out hard and had their best spell, but the back four of Bidgood, Holley, Plume and Lamb looked comfortable, with in form keeper Will Lamb largely a spectator.

The third goal came from some great pressing from the front two of Lock and Bishop, supported by Whitfield.

This caused panic in their back line and Lock nicked the ball to roll into an empty net.

The injury jinx hit again Elliot Lamb went off after being caught earlier in the game and Phil Hartnup left the field just five minutes after going on as a substitute with a badly damaged ankle that will keep him out for two weeks. This meant United had to see out the final 15 minutes with 10 men.

But Whitfield rounded things off when he headed in Costello's cross following a swift passing move.

Burnham travel to Dundry Athletic on Saturday (January 4) as they continue their climb towards the top half of the table.