Saddlers take the points

Last updated : 27 August 2003 By Tony Scholes

Matt O'Neill flicks on a corner at the near post
As was the case last week Ronnie Jepson had only two experienced players, Arthur Gnohere and Alan Moore, in his squad and both started in an otherwise very young team.

David French (he is French) once again lined up alongside Arthur in the centre of defence whilst the second trialist Paul Holmes was on the right hand side of midfield.

Walsall came at us from the off and could have been in front within 90 seconds and would have been but for some alert goalkeeping by Michael Hale who was able to turn a curling shot round the post for a corner.

But they did go in front after just 10 minutes and what a good effort it was as Karl Hawley got past two defenders before curling a shot into the far top corner from just outside the box on the right hand side. Hale had no chance and it was no more than Walsall deserved after their bright start.

The Clarets were struggling to get into the game but we did get an opportunity from a free kick on the edge of the Walsall penalty area after Ryan Willetts brought down Alan Moore. Willetts received a yellow card but he can count himself very fortunate indeed, he was the last man and clearly prevented Moore from having a goal scoring opportunity.

Richard Chaplow’s free kick was deflected for a corner that came to nothing and in Walsall’s next attack it was 2-0. Kris Taylor got the better of Danny Pitham down their left wing and his low cross provided Nick Smith with the easiest of tap ins from close range.

Alan Moore looking to win the ball in the Walsall box
With just twenty minutes gone we looked as though we were in for a hiding but did get ourselves back into the game for a period during which we pulled a goal back from trialist Paul Holmes.

He’d just had one good effort well saved by Walsall keeper Kerr but just five minutes later pulled a goal back following a Clarets’ corner down the left hand side. Matt O’Neill threw it long and Holmes latched on to a Gnohere flick on to chip into the top corner past the helpless Kerr.

Almost immediately he almost scored again but this time his header flashed just wide of the post. That was just about the last serious action of the half and we went in 2-1 down.

If the first half had been reasonably entertaining then the second half was a much scrappier affair with little to excite the crowd. Walsall always looked in command and despite having a lot of possession we didn’t really threaten them.

We did come close on a couple of occasions from corners but the visitors always looked more likely to increase their lead but youngster Hale again did well making some good saves, one of them outstanding when he was able to block an effort from point blank range. We made a couple of substitutions but the Walsall keeper had a quiet second half.

So another defeat but valuable experience again for some of the younger players with first year scholars again involved. It won’t be an easy season for the reserves with so few players to choose from and some of the younger players are going to get more opportunities than they might have expected.

The teams were,

Burnley (4-4-2): Michael Hale, Danny Pitham, David French (Neal Trotman 80), Arthur Gnohere (captain), Paul Scott, Paul Holmes, Darrel Avery, Richard Chaplow, Matt O’Neill (Tom Ince 80), Alan Moore, Damien Hindle. Subs not used: Marc Pugh, Rhys Carpenter, Alex Taylor.

Walsall (4-4-2): Aaron Kerr, Ryan Willetts, Gavin Caines, Julian Bennett, Kris Taylor, Karl Hawley, Nick Smith (Daryl Taylor 88), Stefan Oakes, Darren Wrack, Matty Fryatt, Gary Birch (Nathan Jameson 80). Subs not used: Taiwo Atieno, Scott Dann, Dean Colman.

Attendance: 239.

Burnley’s Fixtures and Results