Cotterill gets a winning start

Last updated : 10 July 2004 By Tony Scholes

Clarets fans ready for the new season
Goals from Ian Moore and new coach Mark Yates saw the new look Clarets go 2-0 up before the home side pulled one back with a somewhat disputed goal from former Claret Paul Cook.

Cooky, who was a substitute on the day, received a warm welcome from his former fans in the crowd of nearly 3,000 when he came out but that was nothing to the reception awaiting the new Burnley boss who made his way down the touchline to a standing ovation.

He sprung a surprise with the unexpected name of Michael Taylor in the starting eleven. The former Blackburn Rovers youngster has apparently been training with us and was given the opportunity to line up alongside new signing John McGreal in the centre of defence.

There were no other surprises and the line up was as expected with Graham Branch back in a more sensible role on the left hand side whilst the vacancy left by Glen Little’s departure to Reading went to Matt O’Neill.

Richard Chaplow led the side out; the youngster was given the honour of captaining Burnley in his home town of Accrington, in front of his watching parents who I can confirm had not gone to Leeds to watch their football.

The Clarets clear under pressure from Lutel James
We started well and the first pre-season goal almost came from the boot of Robbie Blake who fired in a shot from outside the box that hammered against the bar. The Clarets were certainly the better side in the opening period and there was little, if any, threat from the home side.

It was almost half an hour before Brian Jensen had anything to do but he was then forced to make a routine save followed by a good save in two quick Accrington attacks.

The Clarets still pushed forward with the much of the good play coming from the promptings of Matt O’Neill down the right hand side. He cut in once and had a right foot shot deflected for a corner and was able to get in some telling crosses that caused the home defence some problems.

But it was Accrington who nearly went in at half time a goal to the good when a shot from long range took a vicious deflection. It looked a goal all the way but the Beast somehow got to it and got the ball away to safety. He had made one good save, this was an excellent stop.

There was just time for an unnecessary hard challenge on McGreal that left the new Claret down injured and needing treatment. Disappointingly the Blackburn Rovers supporting referee took no action other than to award a free kick.

Needless to say it rained again at Accrington
It was the end of the action for McGreal, he was replaced at the start of the second half by youth team captain Ryan Townsend in our only change.

Accrington made five changes apparently but turning out in kit with no numbers, suggesting they are very much an amateur set up, it was difficult to ascertain just who had come off and who had gone on.

We were hardly troubled for much of the second half and eventually we took the lead through Ian Moore who picked up a deflected O’Neill shot and gave the keeper no chance. He immediately came off with the Clarets making a number of substitutions during this part of the game.

The seventh and last substitution, yes the seventh, saw the appearance of new coach Mark Yates. And just as he had done in 1991, he scored on his debut. Again it was O’Neill who’s cross found Yates on the edge of the box and he crashed home to wrap up the win.

It would have been wrapped up but the home side pulled one back with an incredible goal. Incredible because Cooky must have been at least ten yards offside. Yes it came from O’Neill but he was there when the initial ball was played forward.

Steve Cotterill and Dave Kevan deep in conversation after the win
There can be no complaint at the assistant who flagged immediately, but Mr. Ewood with the whistle was having none of it and allowed Cooky to go on and chip the ball in.

That was just about it and Accy never looked as though they would draw level and Steve Cotterill’s Claret & Blue Army got off to a winning start.

It’s very difficult to judge things, this was played just nine days after they went into pre-season training. But you couldn’t fail to be impressed with the attitude on the pitch.

During the ninety minutes there were occasional forays from Cotterill towards the edge of his technical area but overall he must have been happy enough with the start.

There shouldn’t be any singling out of players but in what was generally a quiet game for him Brian Jensen did everything asked of him whilst Matt O’Neill did impress on the right hand side of the pitch.

It’s another week’s training now, maybe a new signing or two, followed by a home game against the Arabs of Dundee United with Mr & Mrs Chaplow hopefully still watching their football at the Turf.

It’s good to be back.

The teams were:

Accrington Stanley: Danny Alcock (Scott Tynan 45), Peter Cavanagh (Paul Howarth 45), Stewart Howson (Steve Hollis 45), Robbie Williams (Jonathan Smith 45), Ian Hughes, Steve Jagielka (Steve Flitcroft 57), Ged Brannan (Andy Proctor 45), Ian Craney (Paul Cook 55), Lutel James (Damien Hindle 71), Lee McEvilly, Rory Prendergast (Paul Carvill 20).

Burnley: Brian Jensen, Lee Roche (Neal Trotman 66), John McGreal (Ryan Townsend 45), Michael Taylor, Mo Camara (Paul Scott 66), Matt O’Neill, Richard Chaplow, Tony Grant (Joel Pilkington 60), Graham Branch (Mark Yates 71), Robbie Blake (Marc Pugh 55), Ian Moore (Alex Taylor 60).


Attendance:
2,941