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The first half was very average indeed but the Clarets were well on top against their 3rd Division opponents. With Alan Moore again in the starting line up Stan didn’t give us the clue we were looking for by starting with the eleven he expects to start next week. Having said that I think he was very close to it but only time will tell.
The Burnley fans in the crowd (or should it be small gathering) responded well to some early good defensive work from Marlon Broomes thankfully dismissing the ridiculous emails we have received because of one of his previous clubs. In fact Broomes looked impressive during his time on the pitch and it can only be hoped that the finances will allow Stan to sign him in time for next week.
We should probably have been further in front than 1-0 at half time but never mind it was a goal to savour. Tony Grant controlled a cross from Alan Moore superbly before taking his time to slide the ball in. It was Grant’s first goal for the Clarets and given his goal scoring prowess we can perhaps wait another two to three years for the next one.
There had been just one substitution in the first half, Robbie Blake for Alan Moore, and there were no more changes as we started the second half. That was to change though and it was a steady stream of changes from both sides during that second period that left you wondering just who was on the pitch.
For supporters it just ruined the game completely and to be honest the entertainment in the second period was virtually non-existent. For the record Bury equalised and at the other end the Bury keeper didn’t have a single shot of note to save with the Clarets nearest effort coming from Ian Moore when he miscued a half volley that went wide to the keeper’s right.
The highlight of the half though had to be the involvement of striker Dimitri Papadopoulos. He had only been on for some six minutes when he was involved with Bury’s Danny Swailes. It was something and nothing but Papadopoulos went down as if he had been shot. When he saw the referee, the appalling Scott Mathieson, award a throw in he was up quickly but then had an immediate go back.
Mathieson decided that he would have to leave the field although we were allowed to bring on a sub. Within two minutes Stan was trying to bring him back on but the 4th official appeared to step in to prevent it. Eventually he was allowed to return.
Late on in the game four of the clubs younger players were introduced. Firstly we saw Earl Davis and Matthew O’Neill and shortly afterwards they were joined by Andrew Leeson and Andrew Waine. Sadly most Burnley fans were having to ask who they were. None of them were given the opportunity to impress in the short time they were on but it is good news to see them finally involved with the first team.
At the end though it was another 1-1 draw and after this week’s lack of interest with less than six and a half thousand watching two games there really does have to be a rethink about pre-season friendlies.
The next time the Clarets take to the field though will be for real when Brighton are the visitors next Saturday as the season gets underway. For certain the performance will be completely different than the one we saw today.
The teams today were;
Bury: Glynn Garner, Matty Barrass, Jamie Stewart, Danny Swailes (Michael Nelson 74), Steve Redmond (Nicky Hill 74), Lee Unsworth, Lee Connell (Seb Rowe 83), Martyn Forrest (Paul O’Shaugnessy 72), Jon Newby (Steve Gunby 77), Pawell Abbott (David Nugent 72), George Clegg (Liam George 72).
Burnley: Nik Michopoulos, Dean West (Andrew Leeson 72), Steve Davis (Ian Cox 66), Marlon Broomes (Earl Davis 69), Graham Branch (Mark McGregor 64), Glen Little (Ian Moore 78), Tony Grant (Alan Moore 65), Lee Briscoe (Andrew Waine 72), Alan Moore (Robbie Blake 29, Dimitri Papadopoulos 74), Ian Moore (Dimitri Papadopoulos 56, Andy Payton 63), Gareth Taylor (Matthew O’Neill 69).