Burnham 0 Mangotsfield United 3

MANGOTSFIELD kept their noses in front in the Southern League Div 1 title race with a good 3-1 win at Burnham.

They took the lead on 25 minutes thanks to a penalty for handball by Steve Noakes, hammered home by David Seal.

United keeper Danny Greaves made a good save to keep his side in front and shortly after the break Burnham were reduced to 10 men when Simon Noakes was dismissed for violent play.

Michael Meaker made it 2-0 with his first goal for the club, after combining with recent signing Ross Casey, and with six minutes to go top scorer Rob Claridge made it 3-0 from 20 yards with his 15th goal of the season.

Mangotsfield manager Martyn Grimshaw was pleased with the performance and singled out new boys Ross Casey and Michael Meaker. "They are both doing well," he said. Meaker has now played three games for us and has brought a lot of experience."

Grimshaw reports the squad to be fit and well for Saturday,s top of the table clash against Evesham, though Scott Hendry, Dean Pendry and Lee Collier are still out with long term injuries.

"Evesham are a well organised side and this will be a big game and a tough challenge," said Grimshaw. "But they're all big games now. We will be concentrating on our own play and I hope we get a big crowd to spur us on and see what we are about."