Fletcher Hat-trick downs Dale at sunny Gawthorpe

Last updated : 20 September 2008 By Andy Baron
Wes Fletcher - hat tricks on successive Saturdays
Many times we have stood discussing the year ahead and the kids that are to play in the Claret shirt thinking they could have a good year. This year I believe they could have a good year. This year's team has few weaknesses, it has all the attributes it needs, it just needs the luck any team needs to have a successful year. My hope for them is they have a good run in the youth cup, to play on the hallowed turf and have a good crowd cheer them on.

In the league last year we were twice beaten by a Rochdale side that only won 4 games and finished next to bottom. The score on both occasions was not a reflection on how well we played. To today then, let's get to the game and repay them for last year.

Oh how lovely a place Gawthorpe is when the sun is out as it was today. The young Clarets lined up in a 4 - 4 - 2 formation and quickly got into their stride. They started very brightly and created several chances in the first 5 minutes but were unable to convert any into goals. The following 15 minutes became a little scrappy as the Clarets tried to stamp some authority on the game.

When the inevitable first goal came it was a wonderful move where James Craggs turned his man and played a measured through ball for Wes Fletcher who on the run composed himself and struck the ball to the keepers left.

The second goal was again a sublime piece of skill where Fletcher turned his man and immediately struck the ball sweetly, leaving the keeper no chance as it went in via the inside of the post.

Rochdale responded by moving one of their centre backs up to play as a forward and it made an immediate difference with him shooting from distance which should have warned us to not give him as much time, his next touch was a great shot from distance which the Burnley keeper could do nothing about.

The next 15 minutes were all Burnley with more chances created than I can remember. On 38 minutes Craggs picked up the ball in the box and with a sweet strike made it 3 -1.

The second half was again similar to Stockport where the young Clarets came out strong from the kick off. Alex- Ray Harvey passed to Chris Anderson who advanced through Rochdale far too easily to play an exquisitely weighted ball for Fletcher who in the form he is in was not going to miss his hat-trick.

From then on it was all Burnley with Rochdale struggling to get out of their own half. When they did get possession the tenacious midfield pairing of Harvey and Anderson usually quickly dispossessed them and normality returned with the Clarets attacking.

On 25 minutes King replaced Harvey. Soon after Craggs produced another super cross which Dil Chaggar converted to complete the scoring. Knowles then replaced the ever dangerous Fletcher and Jake McEneaney was replaced by Dean Overson (we think).

The game died down slightly after all the changes, but Rochdale never looked like getting back into the game.

I have watched the youth team now for several years and this side has to be the best I have seen. We hear managers talk of partnerships and of the spine of a team being important. This side has a spine which starts with the 2 centre backs Chris Lynch and Nik Kudiersky who are a great partnership. The centre of midfield has a tenacious duo of Anderson and Harvey, both players have great ability on the ball and they both very rarely give the ball away. Up front Fletcher paired with Craggs, Knowles or Newman looks so so dangerous scoring 11 goals so far this season. It is a side with very few weaknesses and it is a joy to watch. Next up is Blackpool at Gawthorpe, if your free at 11am give yourself a treat and come down and watch.

Team:- Danny McDonald, Dan Brown, Jake McEneaney (Dean Overson), Nik Kudiersky, Chris Lynch, Alex-Ray Harvey (Michael King), Chris Anderson, Oliver Devenney , Dil Chaggar, James Craggs, Wes Fletcher (Dom Knowles).