Decabo's double against AFC Croydon Athletic sends Burnham through in the FA Vase

Burnham will go head-to-head with Glebe in the second round proper of the FA Vase on Saturday, November 11 having defeated AFC Croydon Athletic, 3-2, at the weekend.

The Blues started their clash against the Rams at the 1878 Stadium on the front foot and adapted to some torrid conditions quickly.

Just six minutes were on the clock when the deadlock was broken as Leo Decabo curled in a delightful free kick, leaving Oshane Brown no chance.

Ben Murray’s men continued to press hard, stinging the palms of Brown in the 35th minute as the first half drew to a close.

However, on the stroke of half-time, Burnham failed to clear the ball from inside their own 18-yard box and in a fight for possession, Croydon’s striker was tripped with the referee unhesitant in pointing to the penalty spot.

Despite Carl Dennison’s best efforts, Jack Marney found the back of the net with the spot kick and the sides went into the break level.

Much like the opening to this match, the Blues began the second half formidably and it didn’t take long for them to restore their lead.

After some early opportunities – including one which rattled the woodwork – Samad Kazi got the ball over the line with a thumping close-range header in the 55th minute.

It took until the 80th minute for supporters to see another goal and, once more, it was the hosts who were unable to deal with the danger in their box and conceded a penalty.

Burnham stopper Dennison again got a good hand to the ball but couldn’t stop Benjamin Checklit from scoring.

With the game looking destined for penalties, deep into added time Jabir Laraba was fouled in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot this time in the Blues’ favour.

Full of confidence, Decabo stepped up and made no mistake to win the match for Burnham and take them through to the next round of the Vase.

Speaking to Paul Butler at full-time, the forward said: “It was a tough game, a really tough game. I thought we were good in spells, I thought we could have done better in the first half.

“We went into the changing room [at half-time] and the gaffer, of course, had a go at us. We came out better in the second half and got the goal [to get back in the lead].”

Asked if he felt any pressure with the penalty on the stroke of full-time, Decabo replied: “Of course not. Never in doubt.”

土地,蓝军在联赛下一个对手n, defeated Larkfield & New Hythe 1-0 on Saturday. The Chislehurst-based club have reached the fourth round of the FA Vase twice before (2019-20, 2021-20).