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Against a much more experienced side, the young Clarets (once again without a single first team appearance between them, and with no player over 19) held out for ninety minutes of virtual one-way traffic, giving their all for Burnley Football Club. At the end of the game each player was roundly applauded by the sizeable Clarets following, none more so than the inspirational captain, the mighty Colossus himself, Earl Davis.
Bearing in mind that eight of the side had played in the miserable 2-0 youth team defeat at Rochdale on Saturday, this was an even more impressive performance. What was said after that display by supremos Pashley and Jepson we’ll never know, but whatever it was it certainly worked!
Burnley lined up (4-4-2): James Salisbury; Danny Pitham, Earl Davis (capt.), Liam Eves, Paul Scott; Mark Rasmussen, Joel Pilkington, Andrew Waine, Matthew O’Neill; Damien Hindle, Richard Chaplow. Subs (none used): Ryan Townsend, Robert Grimes, Sean Blakey, Rhys Carpenter.
With the gale at their backs the Clarets kicked off. The general view amongst the Claret following was that we would need to be 3-0 up by halftime to have any chance of getting a point. However, it was Oldham, playing 3-5-2, who created all the early openings as the defence took time to settle. Ex-Watford striker Wayne Andrews went close twice in the first ten minutes as Oldham piled on the pressure.
But once the Clarets had withstood this opening barrage, and regained their composure, the Latics were restricted to huffing and puffing without any real penetration. Burnley’s midfield was working tirelessly, firstly to support the defence and then to supply the ever-mobile forwards, and the game became more evenly-balanced.
In the first minute of stoppage time the breakthrough was achieved. The Clarets were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out. Scotty’s ball into the area was never properly cleared, and when Earl put Pilkington through with a delicate dink, the Accrington Terrier slotted home his first of the season, much to his obvious delight.
Oldham’s antediluvian main stand echoed to the sound of much chattering during the interval, mostly though that of the teeth of the 150 or so spectators. The consensus was that although both sides had done well in the conditions, surely Oldham, with their greater experience, and with the gale now at their backs, would prove too much to withstand.
Right from the restart the Latics laid siege to Salisbury’s goal. They kept humping it in from both flanks, but the defence, marshalled around the Colossus, was resolute. The midfield was quick to pounce on any loose balls just outside the area, and so effective were they that Salty was called upon only once to make a save.
However, it wasn’t all one way, and the Clarets, clearly under instructions to keep passing the ball along the ground, put together some fine moves in bringing the ball out of defence. Full backs Danny Pitham (in his first start at reserve level) and Paul Scott in particular lost no opportunity to get forward in support.
The clock was ticking down, and still the Clarets held firm. Oldham were visibly wilting, until five minutes from time the Latics were thrown a lifeline. Yet another skidding cross was put in, but this time the ball squirmed through to the lurking Clegg. Matty O’Neill mistimed his challenge on the former Manchester United full back. Penalty!
As the cacophony of chattering teeth, now augmented by the knocking of numerous knees, reached its climax, up strode Andrews. The striker blasted the ball forwards, only to see it cannon against Salty’s right-hand upright, career along the line and go out of play at the other post. Exit the majority of the Oldham faithful.
But the excitement still wasn’t over, for in the dying seconds Salty was finally beaten. As the ball rolled agonisingly towards the line, from out of nowhere emerged Earl to slide in and hook the ball away, Roy of the Rovers like, to safety.
The forwards then did their part by playing keep ball in the far corner, until the ref finally blew for time on a truly excellent performance. The Supremo must have been delighted with the character displayed by his young side, in what must have been a great boost to their confidence.
This result takes us out of the relegation places for the moment (depending on tonight’s results), but if the youngsters can continue to perform in this fashion they will surely soon start to climb the table.
Final score: Oldham 0, Heroes 1