Milk Cup comes to an end for Clarets

Last updated : 31 July 2009 By Simon Doyle
Dave Lynch - played in Ross Wilson for Burnley's goal
It had been billed as an exciting climax to the Dunluce Trophy, the consolation tournament for those who failed to make the latter stages of the Milk Cup proper.There was potential for a cup final type match, but Co Tyrone adopted the negative tactics of a League Two side trying to cause an early round upset against more superior Premier League opposition.

Only Burnley wanted to play football at the University of Ulster in Coleraine. Tyrone played with all 11 men in their own half for most of the game and hit the Clarets with two sucker punch goals to win 2-1.

Tyrone were clearly playing to win, however ugly, whereas Burnley were playing to improve. At times they appeared to be using the game as a training exercise for the more experienced Dom Knowles and Liam Newman.

However, for all of Tyrone's fouling and long ball hoofing, it was Burnley's failure to find the net more than once that cost them.

Terry Pashley made two changes from the 11 that thumped Club Cantolao. In came Canadian Jacob Matthews in goal and David Lynch was recalled to midfield.

Just before kick off the youths emulated the first team by forming a huddle. The lined up in a 4-5-1 formation for the fifth straight game. Ross Wilson played up front with yesterday's hat-trick hero Joe Jackson moving to right midfield and James Taylor moving across to the left.

Burnley passed confidently and created an early chance for Knowles but fell behind on the quarter hour. Centre half Stephen Edwards was caught badly out of position allowing John Edgar to ease through the middle and score against the run of play.

Edwards struggled for most of the game but it was his centre half partner Curtis Woods who next had the spotlight on him when he looked to have hauled back a Tyrone forward in the box. The referee waved away some half hearted penalty appeals.

The Clarets continued to dominate but could not provide a finish. On the stroke of half time Wilson found himself in acres but rushed his shot.

After the break Jackson sent over a great cross but it was just beyond Wilson's reach.

The hard-working Newman then did brilliantly breaking forward and making space for a shot which struck the post. Taylor tapped in the rebound but the linesman's flag was already up.

They did not have to wait long before drawing level. Lynch won a the ball in midfield and played a perfect pass into the box for Wilson who finished at the second opportunity.

Knowles almost made to two in two minutes when he latched onto a hopeful punt forward, but the Tyrone keeper made a good block.

Tyrone spent the last 20 minutes parked almost entirely inside their own penalty area, content with allowing their furthest advanced player to chase lost causes.

Burnley heaped on the pressure but could not create any further goal scoring chances.

With two minutes left Dale Noble scored the winner, his shot taking a wicked deflection leaving sub keeper Will Fuller with no chance. It was thoroughly undeserved.

As Burnley continued to press they looked more and more tired, this their fifth match in five days.

Taylor was unlucky not to level the game in injury time, but Burnley needed two goals to win the Dunluce Trophy.At the final whistle the Tyrone players embraced each other and celebrated in the centre circle euphorically singing "champions". It was surreal and somewhat over the top.

Burnley team: Matthews (Fuller), Williams, Edwards, Woods, McEneaney, Jackson, Lynch, Knowles, Newman, Taylor, Wilson