Foxes boss full of praise for Burnham Ramblers mananger ahead of facing them this weekend

Ilford manager Allan Fenn admits his team are enjoying going along with no pressure in the Essex Senior League after finally getting back to action on Saturday.

The Foxes entertained Sporting Bengal United last weekend at Cricklefield Stadium and drew 3-3 in their first match in 17 days.

They hosted Sawbridgeworth Town in the League Challenge Cup on Wednesday night and progressed to the quarter-finals following a 2-1 win.

Burnham Ramblers are the next challenge as they visit this weekend.

After going so long without a fixture in the division, Fenn is keen for his side to get a good run of form going again.

But he says their is no pressure on Ilford despite them trailing leaders Sawbridgeworth by just 11 points while having four matches in hand over their rivals.

Fenn said: “We are just going along for the ride at the moment and nothing is expected of us.

“We will keep plodding away and look at where we are with 10 games to go, but at the minute we are just taking each match as it comes.”

Burnham have endured a tricky time back in the division after suffering relegation from the Ryman North last season.

They have only won six of their 17 games and sit 15th in the table.

Fenn was quick to praise the work achieved by opposite number Keith Wilson, but also conceded he wasn’t sure if the match at Cricklefield would go ahead.

He added: “The forecast doesn’t look great and the pitch was really heavy on Saturday.

“We had a reserve fixture on it the following day too, so I think it would be in doubt if the forecast comes true, but we will do everything we can to get it on.

“Keith took over at Burnham just before the end of last season and he has done really well in my opinion because trying to pick a club up after relegation is a very difficult job.

“I have seen them play a couple of times and I am certain Burnham will provide strong opposition.”

Fenn was left rather disappointed last weekend after a six-goal thriller with Bengal.

Dan Jones put Ilford ahead, before the visitors scored twice before the break to go in 2-1 up.

But Chris Stevens equalised before Paul Clayton, making his first appearance since rejoining the Foxes, scored their third.

The visitors levelled seven minutes from time, however, to earn a point and Fenn added: “All three goals we conceded were preventable.

“Two were good strikes, but as a manager they could have been avoided. I was glad to be back, but disappointed with the draw.”