Clarets win against up for sale Liverpool

Last updated : 16 April 2010 By Tony Scholes
Frédéric Nimani
Frédéric Nimani - two goals
It really was an enjoyable and open game and there could have been many more goals, but this was as good a performance as the reserves have turned in all season, and with a side so young that Adam Kay and Alex MacDonald were amongst the oldest players.

I think most of us were expecting a really tough game against a Liverpool side who played in all white, with no visible evidence of any for sale signs on their shirts. But with just eight minutes gone we were 2-0 up and we never really loosened our grip.

Other than a long range effort it was quiet in the first few minutes, and then we scored twice and incredibly, given the first team record, both goals came from corners. On seven minutes it appeared that Neil Yadolahi had headed us in front from our first corner, but the goal has been credited to Alex MacDonald who did get a touch.

Two minutes later and it was 2-0. Adam Kay, who took the right wing corner from which we went in front, took one from the left and this time Frédéric Nimani headed home with the ever alert assistant flagging that the ball had gone over the line.

It could have easily been three almost immediately but this time the visiting keeper Martin Hansen saved from Nimani with Burnley threatening every time they went forward.

But it wasn't one way traffic and Liverpool were always threatening, particularly down their right hand side, and that's how they got themselves back into the game. David Amoo carried the threat with his pace and he got in a cross that was turned in by Nikola Saric.

If anyone thought that was Liverpool back in the game they were sadly mistaken and Burnley continued to play some delightful football with the two midfield players, Chris Anderson and Alex-Ray Harvey in excellent form, and it was Anderson who nearly restored the two goal advantage with a diving header.

It came at the end of a sensational move with Anderson's diving header going just too high. We didn't have to wait long though for the third. This time Nimani broke clear after being presented with the ball following a poor header by a Liverpool defender and he finished in some style with his left foot.

A 3-1 lead at half time we made a change for the second half with Michael King replacing the injured MacDonald, and he was first to come close in the second half.

We continued to play some good stuff and could so easily have added to our lead. The Liverpool coaches were out with their clipboards, and they made three changes to try and bring about a change of fortune. It made no difference and Burnley were the better side.

At times they were mesmerised by Nimani whose step-overs were so reminiscent of the Steve Jones days. His all round performance tonight was outstanding.

I have to make mention of the yellow card received by Wes Fletcher. With no help from his assistants, and with his back turned, the referee carded the player for a foul he didn't even see. Amazing how much influence the bench of a big club can have.

Liverpool did hit the bar with just a few minutes to go, and had that gone in we might just have been under some late pressure. But they didn't deserve to get back into it against a Burnley side who were just much better than them on the night. Just a pity there weren't more there to see it.

£237 million in the red, Laurel and Hardy trying to sell, things don't look too good for them just now.

The teams were;

Burnley: Danny McDonald, Ben Hoskin, Neil Yadolahi, Kevin Long, Jake McEneaney, Adam Kay (Joe McKee 87), Chris Anderson, Alex-Ray Harvey, Alex MacDonald (Michael King 45), Wes Fletcher (Dom Knowles 79), Frédéric Nimani. Subs not used: Diego Penny, Curtis Woods.

Liverpool: Martin Hansen, Steven Irwin, Alex Cooper, Victor Palsson, Chris Mavinga, Francisco Duran (Nicolaj Kohlert 57), David Amoo, Nikola Saric (Jordy Brouwer 73), Damien Plessis, Gerardo Bruna, Alex Kacaniklic (Lauri Dalla Valle 66). Subs not used: Jakub Sokolik, Deale Chamberlain.

Attendance: 477.