Bring me sunshine

Last updated : 15 July 2009 By Tony Scholes
Chris Eagles
Chris Eagles - in good form
This was the second of our pre-season games following the disappointing defeat at Bradford on Saturday and again Burnley fans were there in their numbers at Christie Park to see us in action again before we jet off to our training camp in California.

Any trip to Morecambe for people of a certain age brings back memories of Eric, the funny half of the Morecambe and Wise duo, who passed away over a quarter of a century ago. The town now has a statue of him and the teams came out last night to the strains of their signature tune 'Bring me sunshine".

They'd hardly brought us sunshine though as the weather turned horrible making part of the journey there a difficult one in torrential rain, a storm that thankfully abated ahead of kick off.

Just prior to that kick off the PA announcer twice welcomed the home fans back to Christie Park for the new season and on both occasions went on to welcome everyone from Burnley and congratulate us on our promotion. Both times most of the home fans in the main stand stood to applaud us.

Again Owen Coyle was set to use most of his squad. Both Chris's, Eagles and McCann, were fit and this time the only players not to feature were Steven Thompson and Adam Kay, both of whom had enjoyed short spells in the pitch at Bradford.

The starting eleven showed just four changes from Saturday. Again it was Brian Jensen in goal with a back four of David Edgar, Clarke Carlisle, Steven Caldwell and Christian Kalvenes in front of him.

Employing a 4-4-2 formation again the four in the middle were Wade Elliott, Graham Alexander, Chris McCann and Chris Eagles with Martin Paterson and Steven Fletcher up front.

At Bradford we started well, went in front but then faded away after conceding two poor goals. Here we again got in front, doubled the advantage very quickly and then never looked likely to do anything other than win the game.

It was good to see too the two strikers link up so well with those two quick fire goals around the quarter of an hour mark. We'd already gone close a couple of times via Eagles who was playing for the first time and was in sparkling form.

But the opener came via left back Christian Kalvenes. He played the ball up to Fletcher who initially looked as though he was going to try and turn his defender to get in on goal. But he laid it off expertly for Martin Paterson whose shot was deflected into the bottom corner.

Within a minute it was roles reversed as Paterson played in Fletcher and the new £3 million striker made no mistake hitting home a left footed shot.

For the rest of the half it was all Burnley but we couldn't add a third and the closest we came was again via Eagles who brought a good save from the Morecambe keeper.

Seven changes at half time initially made no difference and it was Fletcher again who scored to increase the advantage. Played in superbly by Joey Gudjonsson he took on his defender on the outside and then hit his shot across the keeper into the bottom corner.

By then Jay Rodriguez had come close with a shot and he then had another effort cleared off the line whilst Eagles thundered a shot against the upright. You sensed more goals but in the last twenty minutes or so the game virtually came to an end with play getting scrappy.

When a fourth goal did arrive it was at the other end as Colin Larkin beat Michael Duff just inside the box before hammering past Diego Penny giving the Peruvian no chance. They might well have got a second but Penny saved well although the flag was up for offside.

That's how it ended, and as the rain threatened again at the final whistle we were once more congratulated on our promotion over the PA before one more playing of 'Bring me sunshine' as we look forward to our brand new bright tomorrow.

The teams were;

Morecambe: Barry Roche, Darren Moss, Laurence Wilson, David Artell, Danny Adams, Mark Hudson, Mark Duffy, Fraser McLachlan, Craig Stanley, Nick Chadwick, Colin Larkin. Subs: Scott Davies, Andy Parrish, Michael Twiss, Aaron Taylor, Henry McStay, Scott Winter, Steve Woods.

Burnley

First Half:
Brian Jensen, David Edgar, Clarke Carlisle, Steven Caldwell, Christian Kalvenes, Wade Elliott, Graham Alexander, Chris McCann, Chris Eagles, Martin Paterson, Steven Fletcher.

Second Half: Diego Penny, Tyrone Mears, Michael Duff, Steven Caldwell, Stephen Jordan, Wade Elliott (Remco van der Schaaf 62), Kevin McDonald Joey Gudjonsson, Chris Eagles, Jay Rodriguez, Steven Fletcher (Robbie Blake 62).

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

Attendance: 2,484 (including 984 Clarets).