Late Fletcher goal earns draw

Last updated : 21 April 2010 By Tony Scholes
Wes Fletcher
Wes Fletcher - scored the late equaliser
We'd lost 5-0 at Wigan a few weeks ago. That was the night when we had our first Icelandic eruption, the night Joey Gudjonsson opted to play in a hat. It was a shocker of a performance that night, but since the performances have been considerably better at reserve team level and we went into this game with a draw and a win from the last two games.

The draw had come against Bolton, and we'd have won that but for gifting them two early goals, and of course we followed that up with the excellent win against Liverpool last Friday at the Turf.

It was back to Accrington last night and there was never any danger of this one being called off for a waterlogged pitch. It was very dry with clouds of dust coming up every time the ball was kicked. It was suggested it was like playing an away game against the moon.

We showed three changes from the side that had played against Liverpool. Nicky Weaver replaced Danny McDonald in goal and Jay Rodriguez came in for Wes Fletcher, McDonald and Fletcher taking their places on the bench.

The other change was due to the absence of left back Jake McEneaney, on duty with the Welsh squad. Ben Hoskin moved to left back from the right, Chris Anderson dropped back from midfield to right back and Kevin McDonald came into the midfield alongside Alex-Ray Harvey.

We started brightly and only the referee will know how we didn't get the opportunity to go in front from the penalty spot. Jay Rodriguez went clear, was about to shoot when he was clearly brought down. It was so clear even passers by on Whalley Road could have given it but not match official Mr Metcalfe who incredibly waved it away with Jay looking stunned.

It didn't take long though and it was Adam Kay, again playing on the right hand side of midfield, who gave us the lead after the two strikers linked up. Frédéric Nimani, who had played so well against Liverpool, had a disappointing night but he played the ball in for Jay who helped it across for Kay who made no mistake with his first time effort.

Jay almost doubled it immediately only to see his shot well saved by the Wigan keeper Lee Nicholls. It was all Burnley during the first half, attacking the covered Clayton End that will house the Burnley fans for the Blackburn reserve game, but we just couldn't get a second goal.

At the other end I can't recall Nicky Weaver having much, if anything to do, and we looked more than comfortable. The only action of note at that end came when Wigan's Jordan Rugg appeared to crash into the wall behind the goal. As play went on medical staff from both clubs rushed round before he was placed onto a stretcher.

The half time lead of 1-0 could have been more but there was no indication that we wouldn't go on and win the game.

However, the second half was somewhat different and got really scrappy and it was Wigan who turned the game on its head with two goals. Callum Morris got them both but the Burnley defence will be particularly disappointed with the second as he was allowed the chance to get in a shot following a knock down from a corner.

By then Fletcher had replaced Nimani and he was the player to lift us towards the end of the game, and his intelligent running finally paid dividends when Alex MacDonald played him in for the goal. He ran onto the ball and finished with some ease.

So a draw and watching manager Brian Laws must have been impressed with the performances of some of his young professional players. Jay Rod and later Wes both impressed up front as did Alex-Ray Harvey in midfield.

Kevin McDonald, in his first appearance since 110Gate, failed to impress to be honest and I'm not sure the watching Laws will be rushing him back into first team action on that performance.

We're back in action again tomorrow when we face Sunderland reserves, again at Accrington.

AND - I've not mentioned the bloody drum some Wigan fans brought with them.

The teams were;

Burnley: Nicky Weaver, Chris Anderson (Ed Williams 56), Neil Yadolahi, Kevin Long, Ben Hoskin (Michael King 67), Adam Kay, Kevin McDonald, Alex-Ray Harvey, Alex MacDonald, Jay Rodriguez, Frédéric Nimani (Wes Fletcher 61). Subs not used: Danny McDonald, Dom Knowles.

Wigan: Lee Nicholls, Michael Girvan, Jordan Mustoe, Michael Jukes, Nick Meace, Jonathan Breeze, Tomasz Kupisz, Daniel Redmond, Jordan Rugg (Connor Lewis 40), Callum Morris, Abian Serrano (Tommy Amos 82). Subs not used: Callum Williams, Liam Willis.