Injury hit youths back to winning ways

Last updated : 28 September 2002 By Peter Heywood

Matthew O'Neill - scored the first goal
With Pitham, Carter, Jones, Scott and Pilkington all reduced to watching from the touchline due to injury, Pash was obliged to reshuffle his youthful pack, bringing in schoolboy Neil Trotman for his début, and had youngsters Avery, Hale and Pugh on the bench.

Unusually, the Clarets lined up in 3-5-2: James Salisbury; Ryan Townsend, Liam Eves (capt.), Neil Trotman; Stephen Richardson, Richard Chaplow (Darrell Avery 82), Sean Blakey, Mark Rasmussen, Matthew O’Neill; Rhys Carpenter (Robert Grimes 60), Damien Hindle. Subs not used: Marc Pugh, Hale.

From the kick-off both sides adopted an attacking approach, and the two goalies were forced into a fine save each in the first five minutes. Trotman had a header pushed out from a free kick, and almost immediately Salisbury pulled off a great save when a young Latic was clean through.

Four minutes later the Clarets were in front. After good work in midfield Chaplow found O’Neill on the left. With more trademark trickery Knocker cut inside, left a couple of Latics trailing in his wake and unleashed a 25-yard thunderbolt into the roof of the net.

Oldham replied, putting the defence under some pressure, and twice Trotman had to make important interceptions. However it was the Clarets who were to increase their lead in the 24th minute. Following a left-wing cross Carpenter hit a superb low volley which the Latics’ goalie somehow tipped on to a post. The rebound fell kindly for the players following up, and captain Liam side footed home his second goal of the season.

The game continued to go from end to end, and Rasmussen forced the goalie into two saves, with Carpenter almost poking the ball home after the second effort.

Just when it seemed that the Clarets were getting a stranglehold on the game, they allowed Oldham back in after 38 minutes. From a right-wing corner an unmarked Latic was given time and space to plant a header firmly past the helpless Salty for 2-1.

The goal revived Oldham’s spirits, and for the remainder of the half and well into the second they forced the Clarets to defend in numbers, with Damien Hindle often an isolated figure up front.

Oldham almost drew level after 51 minutes. A low cross from the left created mayhem, and after a Latics forward obligingly sat on the ball on the line (à la Phil Malley) Salty produced a superb one-handed save from point blank range.

Gradually the Clarets weathered the storm, and with Stephen Richardson getting forward at every opportunity down the right they began to threaten again. It was from one of his runs after 65 minutes that Ryan Townsend was able to put in a fine cross for Hindle to head home via an Oldham knee for 3-1.

This was a well-deserved goal for Damo. He led the front line superbly throughout, creating all sorts of problems for the Oldham defence with his constant movement and strong running. So well did he play that he received the ultimate accolade from Pash when, after chasing a seeming lost cause and winning the ball only to find no one in support, the exasperated coach was heard to bellow: "Help him! He’s working his nuts off for you!!"

The goal effectively killed the game off. Oldham had possession, but lacked the spirit they had previously shown, and the Clarets held out comfortably. Indeed, Sean Blakey almost made it four just before the end with a fine shot that went just wide.

Darrell Avery replaced Richard Chaplow for the last ten minutes for his third substitute appearance, and once again showed some neat touches. Darrell, the grandson of Billy Rodaway’s cousin, only made up 16 a few days ago but has already shown that he is likely to feature on several more occasions this season.

Next Saturday the youth team are once again at home, this time to Blackpool. Again, if you’re not going to Sheffield get down to Gawthorpe for what promises to be another entertaining game.

Youth Team Fixtures and Results