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It was a bigger than usual crowd, one or two from Accrington had made it from the Crown, to see both sides using a number of members of their first team squads. My first thoughts when looking at the team sheet was that we were a defender short but it was pointed out to me that Joey Gudjonsson would be playing at right back.
There was as return for Garreth O'Connor who was named as a substitute for his first outing since returning from his two months on loan at former club Bournemouth. The starting line up included those first team squad members who had not been involved on Saturday alongside Alan Mahon who had come on as a sub.
We started brightly and there were only fifteen minutes on the clock when we took the lead and it was the younger players in the squad who were involved in the move. Rob Turner found Adam Kay who slotted the ball through for Jay Rodriguez to finish well from a few yards inside the box. It brought with it the first of the evening's fireworks, not quite Millennium Eve over Sydney Harbour Bridge, probably more like a £10 box of Standard over the brick works.
The lead could so easily have been doubled and the nearest we came to that second goal was a Turner effort from a Steve Jones delivery that was well saved. At the other end the home side were hardly bothering us and the biggest problem we were having was with the assistant referee who had the most consistent of nights, he got just about every decision wrong.
The Clarets (playing in white) were well worth the half time lead and it didn't take us long to put the game out of Accrington's reach in the second half. The second goal came after a poor defensive mistake gifted the ball to Garreth O'Connor who had come on for Mahon at half time. He made no mistake, rounding the keeper before slotting the ball into the empty net.
Anything one O'Connor can do the other can do better and James made it 3-0 with a superb shot after further good work from the impressive Kay. After that we did take our foot off the pedal somewhat and the home side got a goal back from the penalty spot with Leighton McGivern sending Brian Jensen the wrong way.
There was no way back though for Ashley Hoskin's team - and the Clarets proved to be worthy winners. There was much to be pleased about, particularly the performances from some of the younger players. I've previously mentioned Kay who really is looking good right now, and Alex McDonald also did well when he came on for the injured Turner.
We are next in action in two weeks time at the same venue. This time our season ticket holders definitely won't have to pay, it is a home game against Preston.
The teams were;
Accrington: Martin Fearon, Peter Murphy, James Bell, David Brown, Sean Webb, Philip Edwards, Ian Craney, Paul Carden, Lee McEvilly, Leighton McGivern, Shaun Whalley. Subs: Michael Donlon, Andrew Smith, Robert Grant, Christopher Turner, John Miles.
Burnley (4-4-2): Brian Jensen, Joey Gudjonsson, Dean Stott, Nik Kudiersky, Jon Harley, Steve Jones, James O'Connor, Adam Kay, Alan Mahon (Garreth O'Connor 45), Rob Turner (Alex McDonald 64), Jay Rodriguez. Subs not used: Stef Ritchie, Thomas Bradley, Ben Hoskin.