A RESURGENT Soham Town Rangers side were unlucky not to secure their first home win of the season after a spirited display saw them draw 1-1 with league-leaders Burnham. The Greens have been in indifferent form so far this season but a cultured performanc

A RESURGENT Soham Town Rangers side were unlucky not to secure their first home win of the season after a spirited display saw them draw 1-1 with league-leaders Burnham.

The Greens have been in indifferent form so far this season but a cultured performance, packed with guile and determination, secured Ian Benjamin's men only their second point at home this season.

A delighted Benjamin, said: "I felt that we deserved a win on the day. I thought that in the second-half we were by far the better team and we really created enough chances to win the game.

"I thought that the whole team performed very well and I though that after a bad opening 20 minutes or so they really grew into the game and played some good football."

Shades of weeks gone by were evident in Soham's play in the first 15 minutes, as they frustrated the home crowd with errant passing and a worrying lack of direction.

To compound their woes, the visitors stole away from a timid Soham attack after 20 minutes to open the scoring as Ryan Bird latched on to an impossibly measured through ball to fire home.

The goal proved a poisoned chalice for the visitors though, as Soham pressed ahead in search of a way back into the match.

A Paul Jones shot squirted wide just after the half-hour mark, and the sight of goal inspired the Greens to kick on as Dubi Ogbonna's whipped ball slipped inches past the far post mere minutes later.

There was an air of inevitability about Soham's play in the final 15 minutes of the half, and the promised breakthrough finally came with a minute of the half remaining as Michael Simpson's superb through-ball found Ogbonna who lifted delicately over the onrushing goalkeeper to equalise.

Soham continued their assault after the break and had the visitors on the rack almost immediately as Callum Reed forged some decent openings down the Soham right.

Burnham were not out of the game though, and Bird was on hand to test new custodian Ian Pledger with a stinging shot.

Simpson had a glorious chance to put the home side in front after 63 minutes as he rose unhindered to meet Ogbonna's cross, but the midfield talisman could only direct his header into the grateful arms of the visiting keeper.

The introduction of Tom Benjamin midway through the half was inches away from proving a masterstroke as the youngster found himself 10 yards from goal with the ball at his feet.

Benjamin was unable to clear the ball from under his feet however, only managing to poke tamely at the keeper.

In the dying minutes Burnham striker Jordan Dowdican threatened to taint a fine day's work with as he bore down on goal, but fortunately for the Greens Pledger was on-hand to deny the front man.