Burnham Ramblers 2, Cannons Wood 1

IT was top versus bottom at the Leslie Field Stadium and much closer than many anticipated but Ramblers emerged victorious from a scrappy Thurlow Nunn First Division South clash and remain top of the table.

Ramblers made a bright start and Samir Ali went close in the early stages, breaking through but he was unable to beat the visiting keeper.

However, it wasn't long before he opened the scoring, getting on the end of a long ball from Shamarie Perkins-Palmer and blasting home.

It ought to have been the catalyst for Ramblers to go on and dominate but they failed to do so and the visitors came back into the match, drawing level on 26 minutes.

The lead was restored on 31 minutes when Ali grabbed his second, volleying home Grant Webb's low cross.

And the half ended with Cannons Wood reduced to ten men after a straight red.

There were to be no more goals and plenty of substitutions in a poor second half as Cannons Wood picked up injuries and ended up with their sub goalkeeper playing outfield, but Ramblers held on to maintain their position at the top.