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| Two more goals for Shay McCartan |
Following the midweek FA Cup demolition job we were back in league action. James Taylor was back in the side following his latest injury setback. Ben Woodhead was also continuing his comeback as he came in for Josh Cook. Jason Gilchrist was rested to the bench following his hat trick heroics, as was Aryn Williams who was forced off the field during midweek in the incident that led to the Boston red card. The icy conditions made it quite treacherous for the hardy spectators who were taking in the game, but the pitch had held up well after the horrible weather that lashed Lancashire in the previous week.
The game was a little slow to get going but there was a good chance in the opening five minutes as Taylor was unfortunate so see a clever turn and shot go wide. He was not to be denied a goal on his return though and around 20 minutes in he started and finished the move that gave Burnley the opener. From the half way line he played a ball up the line to the marauding Shay McCartan. He rode a wild tackle from the centre half and stormed into the box, before looking up and picking out Taylor for a calm side foot finish. We then had a lucky escape as a defensive lapse presented a shooting chance to the big Dale striker 12 yards out, but he blazed over.
McCartan was giving the Dale defence a torrid time and he had a penalty appeal turned down when he tumbled into the box, but in truth he was fouled about twenty yards earlier and managed to stay on his feet until he got to the area, so it would have been harsh. McCartan then forced a smart save from the keeper after running onto a lovely ball from Cameron Howieson. Adam Evans had a glorious chance to score when put free and clear but he mistimed his shot and it bobbled though to the keeper.
It wasn’t all Burnley though and we had Woodhead to thank as he first tipped a low shot round the post, then had to scamper back to claw a drifting cross/shot away from the top corner. Fortunately we managed to extend our lead before half time. McCartan surged forward down the right and into the box. He blasted in a shot that the keeper misjudged, allowing it to deflect off him and into the back of the net.
The 2nd half started with the wind at our backs. Taylor was unfortunate when a deflected shot from the left side flashed agonisingly out of reach as he slid in at the far post. It wasn’t long till we had a third though and once more it was Ulsterman McCartan. Evans slipped him in and he hammered in his second of the game. He could have had a hat trick as he fired in another effort but the keeper stayed big to knock it round the post.
With around 20 minutes left of the match there was another setback for Taylor as he tweaked his hamstring when turning to collect a pass. He was replaced by Gilchrist in a straight swap and we can only hope it’s not too serious for Taylor.
Soon after we wrapped it up in terms of goal scoring as McCartan had a hand again. He broke down the right and instead of looking for his treble instead picked out the advancing Howieson at the far post to give the Kiwi his third of the season.
There were other sub appearances for two of next year's intake as Charlie Holt and Lewis Nuttall replaced Steven Hewitt and Alex Coleman.
Team:- Ben Woodhead, Alex Coleman (Charlie Holt), Luke Conlan, Tom Anderson, Jack Errington, Steven Hewitt (Lewis Nuttall), Cameron Howieson, Adam Evans, Alex Mullin, James Taylor (Jason Gilchrist), Shay McCartan. Subs not used:- Josh Cook, Aryn Williams.