BURNHAM Ramblers were brought back down to earth with a bump at Needham Market.

Following a run of two wins, 3-2 victories over Bowers and Pitsea in the Essex Senior Cup and Thamesmead Town in Ryman One North, they were hit by a 5-0 defeat by second-in-the-table Needham.

Burnham manager Bertie Brayley said: “Needham are second in the league and are a very good side.

“We have had two good wins against Bowers and Thamesmead but I was unable to put out the same side that gave me those victories.

“I had Ricky Evans suspended and Manny Johnson unavailable and had to put a makeshift midfield together.

“Going to Needham with the best side would have been difficult enough.

“I am not making excuses, however, we were deservedly beaten.”

Ramblers, propping up the division, were hit by two early goals when Luke Ingram and Sam Newson fired in on three and eight minutes respectively.

Former Colchester United player Kemal Izzet then added a third from the penalty spot.

Oliver Fenn put them 4-0 up before Ryan Crisp wrapped the game up with a fifth in injury-time.

Brayley added: “We went 3-0 down and then we were awarded a penalty.

“I would normally put my house on Liam Burgess scoring from the spot but it was rather a tame effort and the keeper saved it.

“And instead of making it 3-1 and perhaps Needham getting a bit jittery they go on to score two more goals.”

Burnham have to recover from the weekend’s setback when they host Barkingside, who sit four places above them, this Saturday.

Looking ahead to the match, Brayley added: “It is frustrating that I can’t keep a winning side together.

“Of the four wins we have had this season something always seems to happen to disrupt things.

“I should have Evans and Johnson back for Saturday but Dave Collins will be out.

“Barkingside had a good win against Kingstonian last weekend.

“We had those two good wins and then had to go to the team second in the division and lose.

“Off the back of that, that has hit us a bit hard.

“But they are only a couple of places above us.

“The following Saturday we have another difficult game when we have to go to Wroxham who are fifth in the division.

“After that we will be playing mid-table sides and hopefully we can then start picking up some wins and points.”