Clarets hit six at Stalybridge

Wes Fletcher scored twice

The game had hardly started when Lee Grant tipped a cross shot onto the bar, but Burnley were soon into their stride and took the lead on eight minutes through Big Sheena, full back Brian Easton who got up well to head home following a cross from Michael King who was involved in so much of our good play.

It was nearly two soon after when Richard Eckersley, who had an impressive forty five minutes, was played in on the right hand side after a superb move. He thundered a shot from the angle that hammered against the woodwork.

Oldham had little answer and before the mid-point of the half captain David Edgar doubled the lead, scoring from close range after a free kick had been headed down. It should have been three too after Jay Rodriguez was brought down by Oldham keeper Josh Ollerenshaw.

He could consider himself fortunate to stay on but the referee opted for yellow and he came off best by saving Jay Rod's penalty.

It remained at 2-0 up to the break and Burnley made a change at half time with Ed Williams replacing Eckersley. Williams went on the left, Easton into the centre and Edgar played at right back.

Burnley continued to press and could have easily added to their lead. Jay Rod had a goal disallowed for offside after a cross from Alex MacDonald. It was the last decision by the assistant on that side, soon after he replaced the referee after he appeared to be suffering from concussion.

Eventually goal number three came in the 72^nd minute and we finally made our dominance pay with four more goals. Wes Fletcher got the first of them when he got through and finished well.

Within a minute Jay Rod got his name on the score sheet and then Kevin McDonald capped his performance with a goal after a brilliant Alex MacDonald run had been ended with his shot blocked, Big Kev pouncing on the rebound.

Fletcher got the sixth, and his second, from another King cross and there was just time for Oldham to hit the woodwork again but the substitute referee, the referee had been forced off with concussion during the second half, brought the game to an end.

This was an impressive performance. The first team squad members all showed a great attitude and got some time on the pitch, and playing ever so well, and some of the younger players coming through showed it won't be too long before they are knocking on the first team door.

The teams were;

Oldham: Josh Ollerenshaw, Kelvin Lomax, Joe Jacobson (James Tarkowski 76), Jon Worthington, Matty D Carr, Sean Gregan, Kirk Millar, Sean Highdale (Matty A Carr 45), Deane Smalley (Andy Crompton 76), Chris Taylor, Rob Purdie. Subs not used: Shaun Routledge, Connor Hughes.

Burnley: Lee Grant, Richard Eckersley (Ed Williams 45), Kevin Long, David Edgar, Brian Easton, Alex MacDonald, Kevin McDonald, Chris Anderson, Michael King, Jay Rodriguez (Dominic Knowles 75), Wes Fletcher (Ross Wilson 80). Subs not used: Dave Lynch, Joe McKee, Joe Jackson.