Gawthorpe fit – and we sneak a game in

Apart from the three named above we were also without Neal Trotman, Adam Jones and Alex Taylor who are all out injured.

Terry Pashley (who was actually heard praising the players on one occasion) named four under 16s in his starting line up and introduced two under 15s as substitutes.

It was a first sighting of striker Kyle Lafferty who recently played in an Under 17 international for Northern Ireland and he, along with the other three under 15s Nicky Platt, Kayne Hanley and Rob Henry have all been offered scholarships for next season.

We even had enough subs on this occasion and that meant we played the full ninety minutes with eleven on the field.

Rochdale weren’t the best side we have played all season but with the side so young it was always considered that it might be a tough morning for us but it certainly wasn’t the case.

The young Clarets started well and were looking to play a passing game in the windy conditions. And it paid off with just eight minutes gone when we took the lead. It came from a well worked move and Joe Booth was able to slot it home from just a few yards out.

We dominated the first half with the win at our backs and it came as no real surprise when we doubled the lead on the half hour. A free kick twenty-five yards from goal was touched on to Rhys Carpenter, who turned in an impressive performance, and his shot was deflected in for an own goal.

Rochdale did get more possession in the second half with the conditions in their favour but they hardly threatened and apart from one punch clear Michael Hale had a fairly quiet time in the Burnley goal other than some routine work. We were even able to introduce two of our under 15s, Will Euxton and Paul Casey.

Burnley continued to play their patient passing game and it all paid off with a third in the closing stages when Nicky Platt (this one has never been called Tilsley) slotted home from close range.

A 3-0 win then and some impressive performances. Lafferty certainly impressed, he is a tall centre forward and gave us an extra option up front and he could just be in the squad when we take on the impressive Tranmere in the Lancashire Youth Cup Semi-Final a week today.

But for now an excellent first Merit League win.

Burnley lined up:

Michael Hale, Rhys Carpenter, Tom Ince (Will Euxton), Darrell Avery, Gary CARTER, Danny Pitham, Nicky Platt, Joe Booth, Kyle Lafferty, Kayne Hanley (Paul Casey), Rob Henry. Subs not used: Mark Crossley, McClean.