Clarets hit four in tax bill game

Last updated : 08 September 2009 By Tony Scholes
Jay Rodriguez
Jay Rodriguez - two more goals at the Jimmy Mac End
Owen Coyle didn't play any of the eleven players who started at Chelsea and also missing were two of the substitutes in that Stamford Bridge game, Christian Kalvenes and Joey Gudjonsson.

He included new loan signing David Nugent whilst there was a return to first team action for Michael Duff who got his first ninety minutes in since picking up an ankle injury on the artificial surface in Portland.

Duff captained the side and played alongside Richard Eckersley, David Edgar and Brian Easton in a back four in front of goalkeeper Diego Penny. Playing a 4-4-2 system the midfield four were Chris Eagles, Kevin McDonald, Jay Rodriguez and Fernando Guerrero with Steven Thompson and David Nugent up front.

The subs bench included three of the first year pros along with youth team goalkeeper Danny McDonald and full back Ben Hoskin who is returning from injury.

As friendlies go this one wasn't bad, certainly as far as the first half was concerned. But it was all Burnley as we totally dominated proceedings. Owen Coyle will certainly see it as having had an opportunity to give some of his fringe players some football and some of them certainly gave him some food for thought.

There's no doubt that Guerrero grabs the attention and the more I see of this lad the more I think we might just have got ourselves a gem. From what I've seen so far I'd say the sooner we make this signing a permanent one, the better.

He scored the first goal but as good as his finish was it owed a lot to Kevin McDonald's superb through ball. But the little Ecuadorian took it in his stride and never looked as though he wouldn't score. He slotted it past the Accrington keeper into the bottom corner.

It looked as though that first goal might open the floodgates but we did miss some opportunities and it certainly wasn't David Nugent's night in front of goal. He missed some decent chances and when he did get the ball in the net he was flagged offside in one of the few decisions from the officials all night.

Eagles got the second from a rare free kick just outside the box. He played a one-two with Guerrero before sliding the ball into the bottom corner. It was a mixed night for Eagles with some excellent work and one or two wasted opportunities.

Jay Rod had played well in the first half in midfield but you might have guessed when he finally got on the scoresheet it would be in front of the empty Jimmy Mac Stand. Jay's scored five first team goals for the Clarets and all have been in that goal.

He made it three when he finished well after Eagles played him in brilliantly and he completed the scoring in the dying minutes when he headed home a Ben Hoskin cross. Yes Hoskin, a taller version than his Uncle Ash who played for both clubs in his career.

Ben was the fourth of the substitutions. Firstly Chris 'Scorer' Anderson and Alex-Ray Harvey came on for Thompson and McDonald. "These two aren't going to dominate any midfield," said the Burnley fan behind me, before immediately asking, "Who the hell are they?"

I felt like explaining they were two of our young pros who'd played in last season's successful youth team but I thought it best not to confuse him.

Wes Fletcher came on for the frustrated Nugent whilst Hoskin replaced Guerrero who received a superb reception from the Bob Lord as he left the field.

The game was played in an almost 'Children in Need' type atmosphere as we were constantly informed how we could pledge a donation to the Save our Stanley fund. The Burnley fans had done their bit with the bigger than expected crowd.

The teams were;

Burnley: Diego Penny, Richard Eckersley, Michael Duff, David Edgar, Brian Easton, Chris Eagles, Kevin McDonald (Alex-Ray Harvey 69), Jay Rodriguez, Fernando Guerrero (Ben Hoskin 79), Steven Thompson (Chris Anderson 69), David Nugent (Wes Fletcher 75). Sub not used: Danny McDonald.

Accrington: Alan Martin, Lloyd, Darran Kempson, Peter Murphy, Bee Ami, Andy Proctor, John Miles, Chris Turner, Melo, Chris King, Sean McConville. Subs: Michael Symes, Adam Black, Zack Riley, Luke Joyce, Robert Grant, Leam Richardson, Ian Dunbavin.

Attendance: 5,301.