14thnov03

Friday 14th November 2003

Burns too hot for Lordswood

A hat-trick from Dean Burns helped Thamesmead Town beat Lordswood 4-2 at Bayliss Avenue on Tuesday, writes Stephen McCartney and Darrell Harman.

The victory for Paul Blade's side puts them in third place, eight points behind current league leaders, and last season's double winners, Cray Wanderers.

Greenwich Borough currently occupy second place, a point ahead of Thamesmead Town, and Maidstone United are in fourth position, following a goal-less draw at home to struggling Tunbridge Wells.

Thamesmead took the lead in the 18th minute when Peter Deadman's cross from the left found Dean Burns who side footed the ball past Paul Piggott from five yards.

The same two players combined to increase Thamesmead's lead after 31 minutes when Burns hooked the ball past Piggott.

Lordswood pulled a goal back three minutes after the break when James Short flicked the ball into the path of Sean Hetterley who raced into the penalty area before firing powerfully into the net.

Both sides were then reduced to ten-men when Tony Gallagher (Thamesmead) and Sam Colyer (Lordswood) were sent off.

Thamesmead regained their two-goal advantage, however, in the 53rd minute when Deadman's free kick found its way to Dean Kearley on the back post to score from eight yards.

Lordswood reduced the arrears in the 55th minute when James Short charged down a goalkeeper's clearance, to side foot the ball into an empty net.

Thamesmead wrapped up their victory in the 70th minute when Burns completed his hat-trick infront of a crowd of 53 at Bayliss Avenue.