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Terry Pashley made three changes to last week’s team, bringing in Ryan Townsend in defence, Mark Rasmussen in midfield, and Rhys Carpenter up front. So Burnley, in 4-4-2, lined up:
James Salisbury; James Heywood, Ryan Townsend, Liam Eves (capt.), Tom Ince; Mark Rasmussen (Stephen Richardson 60), Richard Chaplow, Joel Pilkington, Matthew O’Neill; Damien Hindle, Rhys Carpenter (Robert Grimes 60). Sub not used: Sean Blakey.
Burnley, playing into the teeth of the gale, took the lead after only three minutes with their first attack. Chaplow played Hindle through on the left with a delightful ball. Damo outpaced his defender and shot low past the goalie for a trademark Hindle goal, his eighth in the last six games.
Bradford, with the wind at their backs, were stung into action, and their outstanding player, 18 year-old midfielder Tom Penford, began to see a lot of the ball. In the 15th minute he was given too much time and space enabling him to burst through the heart of the Clarets’ defence and score with a firm shot.
The Clarets now came under sustained pressure and were finding it difficult to clear their lines. Penford twice went close with long-range shots, one of them superbly tipped over by Salty. Hindle was often a lone figure up front as Burnley were penned back in defence.
Just before halftime a sudden flurry of activity on the Bradford bench led to them making one of the most unusual substitutions I’ve seen. Seemingly uninjured, and clearly the half’s outstanding player, Penford was amazingly removed from the play. As he made his way round to the changing rooms he was able to enlighten the bemused spectators. Apparently, one of the first team squad had been taken ill and he had been called up for a place on the subs’ bench for the afternoon game against Crystal Palace!
Into the second half, and now the Clarets had the wind at their backs. It was Salisbury’s turn now to become a virtual spectator as the Burnley midfield, with Pilkington and Chaplow prominent, began to takeover. Matthew O’Neill was seeing more of the ball and creating problems for Bradford down the left, and Hindle was always a threat with his strong running and good control.
The defence had to be alert to the threat of a breakaway, but with young fullbacks Heywood and Ince once again having sound games, and Captain Liam and Ryan Townsend solid in the middle, Salty was rarely troubled.
Now it was Burnley’s turn to go close. Carpenter, Chaplow and Grimes put in good efforts, and Townsend was only inches away from converting a curling Knocker cross as Bradford struggled to cope with the conditions. However, neither side could break through and the game finished with honours even.
This now makes six games unbeaten for the youth team, and Terry Pashley must have been pleased with the commitment and self-control of his team against tough opposition.
The Clarets next face Chester City at Gawthorpe on Saturday morning. A win then would leave them well-placed in the run in for the divisional title, so if you’re not going to Walsall try to get along and give the lads your support.
Fixtures and Results