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Yes Rotherham were stronger than us and were probably always going to be winners but the youngsters did themselves proud with their efforts and played some football at times that was a joy to watch.
We could have been behind twice in the first couple of minutes of the game but twice goalkeeper Michael Hale kept Rotherham out with good saves from Will Hoskins who was the game’s outstanding player. But the Clarets soon got into their stride.
Matt O’Neill was the first to show with a superb run through the visitors’ defence but his shot from the edge of the area was just wide of the left hand post. And only a few minutes later it was O’Neill again who tested Rotherham but again his effort went just wide.
The only player in the side with any first team experience was enjoying himself in a central striker role and was involved again setting up the impressive Tom Ince who was prevented from giving Burnley the lead only by a defender’s block with the keeper beaten.
Again we came close but this time we were robbed by the most incredible of decisions by the referee. Despite his assistant waving play on the referee had spotted a hand ball and a clear penalty but amazed just about everyone by giving the Clarets a free kick right on the edge of the box despite the offence being at least three yards inside.
It really was a promising start and it got even better after 23 minutes when we went in front. Ince moved onto a ball on the left hand side of the box and gave the keeper no chance with a shot to his left that found the corner of the net.
It was no more than we deserved but it was all to come crashing down and it didn’t take long. Rotherham were level within four minutes and by the 36th minute were in front. It just went from bad to worse and by half time we were 4-1 down and it could have even been worse.
The last twenty minutes of the half had been a disaster and after looking the better side at times it was an all too familiar for a Burnley side that are conceding goals at a rate of four per game this season.
We came close to pulling one back at the start of the second half. Rhys Carpenter’s close range effort came back off the post and Ryan Townsend got onto the rebound only to see it saved.
But it was a false dawn and it took Rotherham little time to get back on the mark and this time it was a cross from the right by former Claret John Mullin that curled in off the far post. The gathering in the Bob Lord Stand were fearing the worst and double figures was being suggested.
Somehow that was it as far as conceding goals was concerned but we were thankful for some good fortune, some wayward finishing and the goalkeeping of Hale.
We did though have a short spell in the game during the second half and having scored the first goal in the game we were able to complete the scoring with a goal from Marc Pugh. The ball came to the young wide player on the right hand side of the box and it did look as though he had taken too long to get his shot in. That was not the case though and he finished well.
At the end of the day we were well beaten but the youngsters are working hard and usually against much more experienced opposition. They need help but with the chronic shortage of footballers at Turf Moor that help doesn’t appear to be on its way for some time.
The teams were,
Burnley (4-4-2): Michael Hale, Danny Pitham, Neal Trotman, Ryan Townsend, Gary Carter, Marc Pugh, Joel Pilkington, Ross Preston (Darrel Avery 75), Tom Ince (James Heywood 89), Matt O’Neill, Rhys Carpenter (Alex Taylor 83). Sub not used: Curtis Aspen.
Rotherham (4-4-2): Gary Montgomery, Craig Mudd, Stuart Ludlam, Gareth Clayton, Paul Hurst (Nick Page 69), Tom Fletcher, John Mullin, Darren Garner (Liam Kay 32), Andy Monkhouse, Will Hoskins, Richie Barker (Andy Jones 83). Subs not used: Jamie Waite.
Burnley’s Fixtures and Results
Pontin’s Holiday Premier League Table
