Clarets win through the sandstorm

They also, according to their public address system, now have a segregated ground which appears to allow home supporters on all four sides and away supporters on all four sides. A very strange announcement indeed.

That was nothing compared to the playing surface, it looked in very poor condition before the game got underway and played even worse than it looked. There was nothing at all resembling a true bounce and there was a virtual sandstorm every time the ball was played.

As for the game, it was very much one of two halves, with substantial changes made at half time and the game being turned on its head in the second forty-five minutes as the Clarets (playing in yellow) came from two behind to win 3-2 against the Reds (playing in blue).

We started brightly and caused some early problems down the right hand side with Wade Elliott getting in two good crosses, but the home side soon got into the game and went ahead on the quarter hour after a poor mistake by Duane Courtney and that allowed Roberts to get in a cross that was converted by Mangan.

Roberts, although looking very English, must in fact be Portuguese given the number of times he went down looking for decisions. He only needed to demand a red card and his impression would have been complete, although it has to be said that John Coleman cuts a very strange looking Phil Scolari.

It was fairly uninspiring, but even stuff, and we had more than a couple of chances to get back into it. Kyle Lafferty probably came the closest but put his shot wide of the post to the keeper's right.

Then just as it looked as though we would go in a goal down, the home side added a second. Again it was Roberts, again he went down as if shot on the edge of the box, but this time the ball run free for Brown who made no mistake.

As the players trooped in at half time, out came the next batch, with the Clarets making ten outfield changes for the second half. Only Brian Jensen remained, suggesting that Danny Coyne, out since last September, is still not fit enough to take part.

Andy Gray scores Burnley's first goal

This gave the fans a first chance to see the new recruits from Dario G's Crewe and neither of them disappointed.

Whilst Stephen Foster got on quietly with his defending, winning every header at either end of the pitch and playing balls out of defence constructively at all times, Steve Jones was making an impact up front and his pace was a constant problem to Accrington.

It was that pace that saw us pull a goal back. He was fouled a couple of yards outside his box and Alan Mahon curled the resultant free kick onto the bar. As it came down there was Andy Gray to stoop and head home.

We'd just about settled back in our seats and Jones was put through down the inside right channel but Mahon and he placed his shot past the oncoming keeper into the bottom corner to bring the scores level.

It was all Burnley now, we were very much on top and the home side were very fortunate to remain level for as long as they did. Eventually they conceded a free kick some thirty yards from goal and this time there was to be no denying Irish midfielder Mahon who curled this one right into the top corner leaving the keeper helpless.

There was no way back for the league's new boys and the win could have been more conclusive and right at the end Jones came close to getting his second and Burnley's fourth but put his shot wide.

Adam Kay - played the first half

Apart from Coyne, only Danny Karbassiyoon didn't get onto the field, he's currently under treatment, and there was also a first half run out for 16 year old new apprentice Adam Kay in midfield. He did OK was helped very much by the experienced Micah Hyde alongside him. The transfer listed midfielder showed some good form and was probably the pick of the players in the first half.

But there's no doubt who the star of the show was in the second half, look no further than Alan Mahon. He played well all round and was involved in all three goals.

Finally I head criticism over the fact that manager Steve Cotterill wasn't there, apparently he's not supposed to take a holiday according to some. But every needs and deserves a break and Steve's having his first since becoming Burnley manager. And it has hardly held things back, we've brought in two new signings in his absence.

So it is off to Bury next, a week on Tuesday, where we can expect to play in Claret & Blue, avoiding the necessity for the sun glasses watching us in that yellow away kit.

The teams were:

Accrington Stanley: Rob Elliot, Danny Ventre, Phil Edwards, Michael Welch, Julien N'Da, Simon Howell, Chris Sargeant, David Brown, Andy Mangan, Jason Walker, Gary Roberts.

Burnley (4-4-2): Brian Jensen, Duane Courtney, Frank Sinclair, John McGreal, Graham Branch, Wade Elliott, Micah Hyde, Adam Kay, Garreth O'Connor, Kyle Lafferty, Gifton Noel-Williams.

Accrington Stanley: Aaron Ratchford, Peter Cavanagh, Robbie Williams, Ashley Foyle, Leam Richardson, Andy Todd, Ian Craney, Andy Procter, Sean Doherty, Romuald Boco, Neil Smith.

Burnley (4-4-2): Brian Jensen, Michael Duff, Stephen Foster, Wayne Thomas, Jon Harley, John Spicer, James O'Connor, Chris McCann, Alan Mahon, Steve Jones, Andy Gray.

Burnley subs (all unused): Jonathan Sergeant, Connor Smith, Ali Akbar.