Robinson and Hoskin goals take us so close

Last updated : 26 July 2009 By Tony Scholes
Ashley Hoskin
Ashley Hoskin - got the second
Twice we had the lead only to lose it in the last minute of each half. We'd gone in front with a superb strike from Liam Robinson only for those in blue and white halves to equalise on the stroke of half time.

Ashley Hoskin, who started both our games on the bench along with Roger Eli and John Francis, came on and shimmied past the defender to give himself room to score the second. And how he fan enjoyed it, a Burnley fan scoring against Blackburn. And he must surely have thought he'd given us a win against our old enemy.

I'd spoken with him only the day before and confessed that paying £5 was a bit expensive to watch him play football. Ash, I'd have willingly paid £50 had you been able to hang on to that lead.

'No Nay Never', a more polite version given the audience, was heard from all around the arena but sadly we couldn't keep the lead. We didn't defend a last minute free kick and they took advantage to grab a second equaliser.

That was it for us really, in our second game we came up against the eventual winners Bolton and took a 6-1 hammering.

The games were played with a big contingent of Burnley fans. Everywhere you looked claret and blue was the dominant colour as we turned out in force for our Masters debut. Unfortunately it proved to be a Bolton v Oldham final with Bolton deservedly going through to the Grand Final at the Echo Arena, Liverpool in September.

It was a good night in so many ways with just a couple of minor distractions. The football at times was excellent to watch, from all the teams, and some of these players made it a really enjoyable experience.

One distraction for me was the constant music, which I did learn to ignore, but I do wish people could actually sit and watch the football rather than constantly getting up and down throughout the night. Probably I chose a poor option with a seat on the end of a row. However, I'll be thankful one person on the same row won't be coming past me again today, I wonder just when he last had a bath or shower.

Sadly, in the penultimate game as Oldham held on against Manchester United to clinch their place in the final, we had some crowd trouble two blocks to our right. The stewards, all looking like Gladys Pugh and Spike Dixon from Maplins, struggled to cope and eventually a hefty presence from the police was required. We learned later they were Bolton fans, and as the main instigators were marched from the arena there was loud cheering.

Overall though a good night, and I'd definitely go again even at £5 to watch Ash Hoskin. It would have been a hell of a lot better night though had we not conceded that last minute goal in the opening game.