Goals galore at Wrexham

Last updated : 18 July 2007 By Tony Scholes
Andy Gray - two first half goals
It was 1994 the last time we lost there, and there was never really any danger of it happening tonight as we finally won this second pre-season game as convincingly as the 5-2 scoreline suggests.

There was much to be enjoyed about Burnley's performance tonight, both from individuals and the way we played as a team, and the only real disappointment was an injury to the impressive Kyle Lafferty that saw him stretchered off in the first half.

By that time we were already in front through Andy Gray. It followed a Jon Harley free kick on the left that was met by Besart Berisha. The new signing didn't get a clean strike and the ball dropped nicely to Gray who made no mistake from close range.

Little was seen of Wrexham and the Clarets continued to have the lion's share of the game with Gray and Lafferty linking up well. His injury brought no relief for the home side with his replacement Robbie Blake slotting in up front.

Burnley's football was so pleasing on the eye. The ball was moved around well in the midfield and the two wide men, Berisha and Steve Jones were being brought into the game at every opportunity. Berisha had a couple of shots at goal, the first he didn't do well with but the second was a sensational strike after he had cleverly got past two defenders. Only a superb save kept it out.

Finally we doubled our lead, and it was Gray again this time getting on the end of a Blake cross to head home, and it was no more than we deserved, giving us a 2-0 lead at the interval.

Steve Cotterill made some changes at half time but twice we came close to increasing the lead before Wrexham turned the game on its head with two quick goals. A ball in from the left found Michael Proctor unmarked and he made no mistake to reduce the arrears, and then having seen another effort saved by Gabor Kiraly he equalised from the penalty spot following a foul by Alan Mahon.

Burnley responded by bringing on latest signing Stephen Jordan for Berisha. He went to left back with Harley moving onto the left hand side of midfield and Jones crossing to the right. Straight from the kick off we were back in front. Joey Gudjonsson received the ball some 25-30 yards from goal and shot into the bottom corner to the keeper's left. This time Burnley would not lose the lead.

It was all Burnley for the rest of the game and we added two more goals, both from the penalty spot. Yes, two penalties in under twenty minutes, twice as many as we got in the whole of last season.

The first was for a foul on Harley and was converted by Akinbiyi, but the second marked a special night for one young player. With eight minutes to go Blake was replaced by 17-year-old Jay Rodriguez. Robbie received a superb ovation from the travelling Burnley fans but his replacement was to have the last word.

When referee Jones pointed to the spot again it looked as though Steve Jones was set to take the kick, but the youngster fancied it and after Mahon intervened he got to take it, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way as he hit the ball home to complete the scoring.

So, a 5-2 win, some good football and some good performances. And what a refreshing change from Saturday, playing on a pitch that was in excellent condition and more than suitable for playing football on.

Well done Wrexham for getting the preparation right, and well done Burnley for a good performance all round. Two friendlies down, five to go, and it is Middlesbrough next as the Turf opens its doors again.

The teams were;

Wrexham: Michael Jones, Ryan Valentine, Shaun Pejic, Richard Hope, Neil Taylor (Mike Williams 57), Mike Carvill (Matty Done 57), Levi Mackin, Conall Murtagh (Mark Jones 90), Eifion Williams (Chris Llewellyn 75), Kaid Mohamed (Marc Williams 60), Michael Proctor. Subs not used: Anthony Williams, Gareth Evans.

Burnley: Brian Jensen (Gabor Kiraly 45), Michael Duff, Stephen Foster, Steven Caldwell, Jon Harley, Besart Berisha (Stephen Jordan 64), James O'Connor (Alan Mahon 45), John Spicer (Joey Gudjonsson 45), Steve Jones, Andy Gray (Ade Akinbiyi 45), Kyle Lafferty (Robbie Blake 26, Jay Rodriguez 80).

Referee: Mike Jones (Chester).

Attendance: 1,457.