Clarets title push well on track

Last updated : 11 April 2009 By Andy Ashworth
Liam Newman - put the Clarets in front with a stunning volley
Many of the boys were lining up in their third game in 6 days but still they continue to churn out performances of quality. There were changes to the reserve line up from Wednesday with the professionals replaced in the starting XI by Stef Ritchie and Dil Chaggar. Ed Williams was also in at right back in place of Dan Brown and Oliver Devenney came into the middle of the park with Dave Lynch dropping to the bench. The ever improving Liam Newman partnered Wes Fletcher up top, seeing Dom Knowles also left on the touchline.

The game kicked off at a frantic pace. Tranmere were obviously smarting from the drubbing they had received 5 days previously and were clearly determined to offer up an improved performance. Unfortunately their exuberance was a little over the top and their midfield general was shown a yellow card after 30 seconds for a bad challenge on Devenney. Other than this booking they did well, pressing us constantly and keeping our chances at a premium.

Indeed our first real sight at goal took 15 minutes to materialise and it was no surprise to see that it was Fletcher who got it. A mixture of luck, determination and skill saw him jink through the Tranmere defence and fire a shot in at goal, but the keeper got down well to turn it round the post. The resultant corner was drifted over and, when half cleared, was hooked goalwards by Fletcher only to be headed off the line, under the bar. The lads claimed the goal but it was impossible for us to see whether it had crossed the line.

Around the half hour mark Chaggar broke down the wing and whipped a cross into the box. The Tranmere keeper and his defence appeared to be caught in two minds and this saw the ball break to an onrushing Michael King, though his effort was blocked by the lunge of a covering defender. It was our last real chance of the half which from this point was fairly dominated by Tranmere.

They had a succession of opportunities and were having a lot of joy down their left wing against the inexperienced Williams. The Tranmere side had pace in abundance and it was this which was really troubling us. Crosses were swung regularly into our box with a variety of outcomes. The first evaded everyone, the next was headed just over. Ritchie did well to punch one clear under pressure and another found the right winger marginally offside when unmarked at the back post and in the clear. We were hanging on and in truth were relieved to hear the half time whistle.

It's fair to say that Pash 'had a word' at half time as we were much more resolute as the second half began. We had early chances for Newman and Fletcher, though both saw their efforts pass the wrong side of the bar. We were definitely in the ascendancy once more and it did feel as though a goal was coming. A foul on Chaggar in the centre circle incurred the wrath of the referee and once more the yellow card was produced, and it was the free kick which gave us the break through. The ball was clipped up towards our centre backs and it was Chris Lynch who attacked it. He flicked the ball on over the defence to where Newman had drifted off his man. The Welshman composed himself behind the bouncing ball and unleashed a stunning volley over the despairing keeper. If a gloved hand could have got to the ball it would have ended up in the back of the net too, such was the venom in the shot.

Tranmere responded well and pressured us, but were unable to find a breakthrough. We nearly doubled our lead through the prolific Fletcher but his volley, though equal in power to Newman's, was just a little off on the direction and it smacked the post with the keeper well beaten. We then made a change with Knowles entering the fray in place of Newman. Surprisingly he took up a very withdrawn role leaving Fletcher to lead the line alone. It was clear that we were looking to maintain the lead we had and simply deny Tranmere possession of the ball.

That isn't to say we wouldn't punish our visitors should an opportunity arise. Our patience was great to see and we just kept the ball and waited. Then we sprung. Lynch saw an opening and arrowed a ball upfield into the feet of Fletcher. He controlled and set it up for King, who had cut in from the wing, and the flame-haired midfielder steered the ball into the far corner.

The result was safe now and Tom Taylor was introduced in place of Jake McEneaney. The young winger gave us a little taste of his abilities with a great display of fast feet to evade two defenders on the far side.

Team:- Stef Ritchie, Ed Williams, Jake McEneaney (Tom Taylor), Nik Kudiersky, Chris Lynch, Chris Anderson, Oliver Devenney, Michael King, Dil Chaggar, Wes Fletcher, Liam Newman (Dom Knowles).
Subs not used:- Danny McDonald, Dave Lynch, Dean Overson