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Injury to Damien Hindle meant that Richard Chaplow was pushed upfront, and Australian Ryan Townsend was brought in at centre half for his first appearance since signing this summer. Darryl Avery also made his debut, as an influential second half substitute.
Burnley (in 4-4-2): James Salisbury; Danny Pitham, Ryan Townsend (Gary Carter 68), Liam Eves (capt.), Paul Scott; Steven Richardson (Darryl Avery 60), Sean Blakey (Mark Rasmussen 78), Joel Pilkington, Matthew O’Neill; Robert Grimes, Richard Chaplow.
In stark contrast to Gawthorpe’s idyllic setting last Saturday, Bury’s Lower Gigg Lane was no place for the fainthearted. Pouring rain pelted down for most of the match accompanied by a foul smell which seemed to emanate either from the nearby River Roch or the drains on the adjacent new housing estate.
Against the run of play Bury took the lead after 25 minutes. A through ball was latched onto by the left-winger, and although Salisbury got a hand to the shot he couldn’t stop the ball from crossing the line. The Clarets continued to enjoy the majority of possession but were making little headway against a well organised back four. Just before halftime Salisbury was again called into action in almost a repeat of the goal but this time he saved well.
The game followed a similar pattern in the second half: lots of possession but no real threat. It was at this point that the Clarets’ outstanding player came into his own. With some of his teammates beginning to look a little down, Joel Pilkington decided to take the game by the scruff of its neck. He was everywhere: heading away corners, surging through midfield, and pressurising the Bury defenders. In one memorable incident, he produced three crunching tackles in a row, winning the ball fairly each time, leaving three Bury players in his wake in tears and crying for Mummy. Two words: Brian O’Neil.
Inspired by the Accrington Terrier the Clarets took control. With Avery introduced as an orthodox right-winger Burnley began to stretch the Shakers’ defence. O’Neill on the left began to create problems and an equaliser looked certain. It duly arrived in the 65th minute when, following a series of blocked efforts, Liam Eves shot home from the narrowest of angles.
Five minutes later and it was 2-1. Chaplow flighted a superb cross into the area, which O’Neill, sliding in, met first time at the far post.
It seemed now that it was only a matter of how many the Clarets would score. But in the 75th minute Bury drew level following a truly horrendous mistake by Salisbury. Receiving a back pass, he tried to dribble past an onrushing forward but only succeeded in kicking the ball against the Bury player’s shins. Salty could only watch in horror as the ball rebounded into the gaping net.
Undeterred, the Clarets continued to press forward. With the seconds ticking away the move of the match fittingly produced the winner. Chaplow, receiving the ball in midfield, played the ball out to O’Neill on the left. With characteristic jiggery-pokery, Knocker left his defender for dead, got to the line and sent over a perfect cross for Rasmussen to head in at the far post. 3-2 and cue great rejoicing as the entire team raced over to congratulate the shirt-waving Ras.
Seconds later and the ref blew time on a first win of the season and a much needed morale booster.
The youths now have a lengthy break in their league fixtures. There are no league matches next week and the next three Saturdays are taken up with the group games in the Alliance Cup. The League campaign resumes on September 28th when Oldham Athletic will be down at Gawthorpe. You’ll have plenty of time to get down there and cheer them on before nipping along to the Turf to watch the first team thrash Franchise FC!