Noddy Holder sees Clarets win again

Robbie Blake - individual goal to complete the scoring

The Clarets were much changed from last week’s Huddersfield defeat when virtually the youth team was fielded; instead, the Supremo was able to name a more evenly-balanced mixture of youth and experience. This was no change of heart for Ronnie: he was clearly acting under orders from the watching Stan.

Stan is not generally known for the frequency with which he attends away reserve games, but the preceding evening’s events had demanded immediate action. Strolling along the touchline before the game, contentedly munching a pie and laughing and joking with one and all, he did not give the impression of a man who was contemplating an early retirement. Presumably his “chat with the chairman” that morning had been brief.

The Clarets (in 4-4-2 and in the nice all blue away kit but why don’t they play in claret and blue when there’s no clash) lined up:

James Salisbury; Andrew Leeson, Earl Davis, Liam Eves, Graham Branch; Robbie Blake, Paul Weller (capt.) (Mark Rasmussen 46), Andrew Waine, Matthew O’Neill, Dimitios Papadopoulos (Joel Pilkington 46), Andy Payton (Richard Chaplow 82). Subs not used: Gary Carter, Paul Scott.

Wolves had fielded a very experienced side in their 3-0 win at Walsall last week, but decided to go with a younger team. Nevertheless, they included experienced players in Cousin Michael Branch, Mohammed Camara, and the admirable Marc Edworthy. The ex-Coventry defender signed last week on a non-contract basis for Wolves, receiving no wage only expenses, in an attempt to keep fit and show what he can do.

Wolves (in 4-4-2 changing quickly to 4-3-3):

Matt Murray; Marc Edworthy, Mark Clyde, Ken Coleman, Mohammed Camara; Ashley Vincent, Graham Ward, JJ Meligan, Marlon Walters; Michael Branch (Matthew Watson 65), Jimmi Lee Jones. Subs not used: Christian Slater, Lewis Solly, Mark Danks, Lewis Gobern.

On such a sun-drenched evening Molineux presents a magnificent sight. Even in front of a disappointingly small crowd of 325, it must be a delight to play there. The pitch was in immaculate condition, and clearly helped both sides play a quick, passing game. Added to this was the same Noddy Holder lookalike (distributing the excellent an informative 20p teamsheets) as we’d seen at RAF Cosford last season. Could the evening possibly get any better?

Wolves started brightly, dominating the first 15 minutes. It became immediately clear what Tactic Number One was to be: get the ball out to Vincent on the right wing and let him run at Cousin Graham. In fact, this was to become an absorbing contest. Time after time, the exciting but raw youngster would be given a head start over Branchy, usually from a slide rule pass from Meligan.

Undeterred, the Heswall Flyer would catch up and slide in with a blocking challenge just as the cross was about to be delivered. As constant dripping shall wear away a stone, so it was with Vincent. Demoralised, he gradually withdrew from the game, allowing Branchy the satisfaction of a job well done.

However, Salisbury still had to make a couple of sharp stops in this opening period. The second, a tip round when a 20-yard piledriver from Ward seemed bound for the top corner, was an absolute belter, and was exactly what was needed following Saturday’s blunder. In fact, Salty probably had his best game yet for the reserves, and looked sound throughout.

After the first 20 minutes it was all Burnley. The defence, with Earl Davis and Eves in superb form at its heart, looked impregnable. The Colossus is no centre forward, and it was good to see him reverting to his true position. The midfield, after a rather slow start, began to take control with Waine covering every inch of the lush turf. Up front, Papa looked sharp and Payton clearly unsettled the Wolves’ back four.

It was Papa’s speed and quick thinking that brought about the first goal after 25 minutes. Murray in goal was slow in clearing a back-pass; quick as a limpet Papa whipped the ball off his toes only to be brought down by the crestfallen custodian. Penalty, but no sending off as Papa was heading well away from goal. Wasting no time Papa grabbed the ball before Payts could get there, placed it on the spot, and with unerring accuracy deposited it in row Z behind the goal. However, as most of the Wolves’ team were breathing down his neck at the time, the ref sportingly gave him a second, this time successful, opportunity.

Murray redeemed himself later when, after a great run and shot from Blake, he pulled off a fine save. Such was the Clarets dominance for the rest of the half that the Wolves were restricted to a single long-range effort from Camara which flew well wide.

Weller was replaced at half time by Rasmussen. This came as no surprise as he had been on the receiving end of a particularly dreadful two-footed challenge from Walters after only 8 minutes, which had even the Wolves fans shuddering. (Walters did not even get a yellow, unlike his colleague Meligan, booked later in the half for kicking the ball a mere five feet away. Such is the state of officiating in this country!) Just before the interval Weller was clattered again, effectively resulting in his substitution.

Pilkington also came on for the second half for Papa, thus giving Blake the opportunity to partner Payton. Burnley continued from where they had left off, playing some good, passing football. In one memorable move, the Clarets put together a string of 15 passes ending with Waine shooting just wide. So dominant were they that one Wolves diehard was heard to mutter “Have we got fewer players on the field?”

Another glorious move came straight from a Wolves corner. O’Neill played the ball out of the area calmly to Ras; his 40-yard crossfield pass was straight to Blake’s feet. A quick lay-off to Waine and his shot was well saved by Murray.

Cousin Michael was replaced after failing to make any headway against Davis and Eves, but this made little difference. Wolves forced some late corners via Cousin Graham blocks, but Salisbury dealt with them well. Jones had a couple of speculative attempts, and Camara came close with a header from a freekick, but the defence was never troubled.

Two minutes from time Blake scored a fine individual goal to seal the win. Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, he dragged the ball inside two defenders before powering a shot into the far corner.

So ended probably the reserves’ best performance since the 5-2 win at Wolves last season. They had clearly been given the command from Stan: “OK, show me what you can do!” The response was excellent from all, but in particular Davis and Waine.

Expect to see some changes to the squad on Saturday.