Reserves back on top - for now

Last updated : 06 April 2011 By Tony Scholes
The Clarets' second string hadn't won since a 2-0 victory over Tranmere in mid-December and after going behind early in the second half it looked as though it might be another disappointing night. Thankfully we weren't behind for long and went on to deservedly win what was a thoroughly entertaining game.

The game provided Chris McCann with another opportunity to get some game time as he makes his way back from injury and for Wes Fletcher it was a first full ninety minutes since his return from Stockport as he comes back from an ankle injury.

First team squad members Brian Jensen and David Edgar were included and for the Beast it was his first match action since losing his first team place last October.

We dominated the opening proceedings and should have been in front. First Dominic Knowles and then Michael King headed wide of target as the Clarets' midfield, with Joe McKee and Steven Hewitt partnering McCann, took hold of the game.

Up front Fletcher seemed to be on a one man mission against Shrimps' goalkeeper Lawrie Walker but it was the 'keeper who came out on top with some very good saves. When Fletcher did beat him he saw the ball hammer against the underside of the bar.

It wasn't all one way and Morecambe should have gone in front midway through the half but Hewitt got back to get in a block when they looked certain to take the lead.

By half time we really should have been in front but there had been enough to enthuse about, none more so than seeing McCann in the midfield. He misplaced a pass in the 39th minute, and that was notable because it was the first time he'd given the ball away. HIs passing had looked sharp all night.

It probably just needed an early goal in the second half to set us up for a victory and an early goal we got in just the fourth minute. Unfortunately it set us back on our heels as the visitors went in front through Dan Parkinson who fired home from close range after the ball had been played in from the right.

Twice we went close to drawing level within minutes and in the end it did take us just eight minutes to equalise. King, on the right hand side of the box, was fouled by Neil Wainright and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Fletcher made no mistake, this time getting the better of the goalkeeper as he sent him the wrong way.

McCann made his exit just past the hour, coming off to a warm ovation from the crowd, and his replacement Joe Jackson soon made his mark. It was all down to a brilliant run from Knowles that took him almost half the length of the pitch.

He went down the middle and as we waited for him to play the ball left or right he went straight through only for Walker to make another good save. This time Jackson was onto it before the 'keeper could react and turned in the rebound.

By now we were well on top and Knowles almost did it again with a very similar run. This time he saw his shot deflected for a corner and when, a few minutes later, he played in Fletcher only for the goalkeeper to make yet another good save, it looked as though we would have to settle for a 2-1 win.

But in the last minute of stoppage time we won a free kick on the left hand side and just outside the penalty box. Up stepped McKee. He's scored numerous goals for the youth team from free kicks and he curled this one round the wall and right into the corner of the net.

There was just about time to kick off again before the final whistle blew to signal a return to winning ways for Ash Hoskin's team.

Last week I was looking for positives; this week they stared you in the face. Fletcher and Knowles did so well up front and, in particular, the performances of McKee and Hewitt in the midfield should be applauded.

McKee is looking stronger now as he comes to the end of his second year as an apprentice whilst Hewitt, in what could be his first game at this level, had an excellent game.

But this was much better all round and has taken us back to the top of the league, albeit that's only likely to be for 24 hours.

The player pictured is Steven Hewitt.

The teams were;

Burnley: Brian Jensen, Nik Kudiersky (Neil Yadolahi 70), Chris Lynch, David Edgar, Ross Wilson, Joe McKee, Steven Hewitt, Chris McCann (Joe Jackson 62), Michael King (James Taylor 70), Dominic Knowles, Wes Fletcher. Subs not used: Josh Cook, Ed Williams, Curtis Woods, Dean Overson.

Morecambe: Lawrie Walker, Joe Culshaw, Niall Cowperthwaite, Tom Axon-Smith, Jim Bentley, Josh Draycott, Dan Parkinson, Zac Aley, Chris Wraighte, Danny Carlton, Neil Wainright. Subs: Callum Moore, Adam Eden, Sean Breen, Phil Bannister, Matty Parker, Ryan Winder, Mathew Calvert.