FOOTBALL: Erith Town beat Wick in FA Vase

After a quiet opening 43 minutes, Wick defender Julian Curnow was caught napping by Myrie Allen, who set up the lively Marcus Cassius.

Cassius' scuffed shot evaded the Wick defenders and was diverted into the net by the grateful Burns from five yards.

Despite the efforts of Phil Turner and Ben Torode, who frequently switched wings, Wick struggled to cope with the difficult conditions, and failed to create any clear chances in the first half.

Things got better for them seven minutes after the break when an equaliser arrived, courtesy of Scott Murfin's shot from the edge of the box, following Torode's pass.

It was Wick's first effort on goal, and understandably surprised Erith keeper Paul Agu, who was slow to react to Murfin's drive.

Erith, however, almost immediately regained the initiative when Ben O'Connor spilled a free kick, but reacted well to block Ted Hart's follow up effort.

Erith did retake the lead on the hour. Wick skipper Neil Murfin lay injured on the halfway line, and his team mates hesitated, waiting for the visitors to put the ball out of play. Allen had other ideas, though, and proceeded to capitalise on Wick's misfortune. He crossed for Burns to crash the ball past O'Connor, which cued angry protests to the officials from Curnow, who felt the Erith striker was in an offside position.

Carl Stabler, Wick's increasingly animated boss, screamed instructions, but was unable to inspire his side while Erith nearly put the game to bed on 72 minutes. Substitute Wayne Grizzle outpaced Curnow, and found Burns, whose shot was well smothered by O'Connor.

The warning signs were there, and three minutes later, Burns did claim his hat-trick, and Erith's killer goal, as he curled a 20-yarder into the bottom corner.

Wick made the final five minutes interesting when substitute Miles Scerri slotted home, following a knock-down from Josh Sutcliffe after a determined run and cross from the tireless Scott Murfin. Erith, however, held on in the six minutes of injury-time.

WICK: O'Connor; Sharman, Pearce, Curnow, Sutcliffe; Torode, N.Murfin, Barnard, Clark; S.Murfin, Turner. Subs: Hudson (N.Murfin 62) Scerri (Clark 66) Briggs (Torode 75) Saunders, West.

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