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There was a somewhat unfamiliar look to the side at kick off. With the exception of Sean Blakey, made a well-deserved captain for the day, the players who had featured in the reserves in midweek were rested, with Matty O’Neill travelling with the first team squad to Rotherham.
In came Michael Hale in goal, central defender Neil Trotman, and midfielder Darrell Avery making his first start. Darrell, only recently 16, had played for Lancashire U-16s during the week, so congratulations to him.
Also returning to the side after lengthy absence through injury were Gary Carter and Adam Jones. Gary seemed to come through unscathed, but unfortunately Adam received a hefty thwack early in the second half and was forced to limp off.
Burnley lined up in 3-5-2: Michael Hale; Neil Trotman, Gary Carter, Ryan Townsend; Danny Pitham, Darrell Avery, Sean Blakey (capt.), Stephen Richardson, Adam Jones (Tom Ince 51); Robert Grimes (Damian Hindle 64), Rhys Carpenter (Marc Pugh 64).
Straight from kick off it became apparent that the greasy, uneven surface would be the dominant factor in the match, but having had the last three fixtures postponed it was just pleasing to see a game taking place at all.
Rochdale started well, with two familiar faces from last month prominent. Big Nathan up front was causing problems with his strength and speed, and almost put Dale ahead in the 12th minute with a shot which was just wide with Hale beaten. And on the right wing Josh Ford was displaying all the tricks of his legendary father Tony, and was menacing throughout.
Indeed it was a combination of these two which produced the first goal after 34 minutes. Josh, receiving the ball wide on the right, twisted and turned before curling in a beautifully flighted cross for Big Nathan to head home, much to the delight of the sizeable Rochdale contingent amongst the spectators.
The Clarets had struggled during the first half to produce any real threat to the Dale goal, although Trotman was only inches away with a header from a Pitham cross. 1-0 to Dale then at the break, and on balance a deserved lead.
Rochdale came close to adding to that lead shortly after the restart in an incident which was probably the turning point in the game. Big Nathan bore down on goal, went round Hale and blasted in a low drive which the covering Townsend’s outstretched leg miraculously managed to deflect onto the bar.
The Clarets seemed to be uplifted by this escape, and within two minutes were level. Burnley were awarded a free kick out on the left touchline following a foul on Jones. Richardson whipped in a dangerous cross which deceived everyone, including the goalie whose despairing dive couldn’t prevent the ball from flying into the net. Cruel perhaps on Rochdale, but it was now definitely game on.
The midfield was now beginning to assert its authority on the game, with Avery in particular catching the eye, and the Dale defence was coming under concerted pressure for the first time in the match. Even so, the dynamic duo were still looking dangerous, and Hale had to make a fine save from Ford in the 56th minute.
Adam Jones’ injury led to the introduction of débutant Tom Ince on the left, and the diminutive winger immediately caused problems with his exciting runs and fine crosses. When Hindle and Pugh then replaced the front two with twenty-five minutes remaining the Clarets were really in the ascendancy.
After 75 minutes Burnley were awarded a throw on the left. When Richardson’s effort was touched on, the Dale defence was caught flat-footed and Townsend was able to poke the ball home from close range for his first goal in a Claret shirt, much to his obvious delight.
2-1, and the game was now end to end and highly competitive. In a frantic final five minutes Hindle had a great shot well saved after a strong run, and Rochdale shot just over following an indirect free kick in the area.
But in the last minute Burnley were presented with an opportunity to finish Dale off completely. Ince produced a thumping shot from the edge of the area, which the goalie did well to push out. The ball was cleared, but play was stopped as the linesman was clearly flagging for a penalty. Confusion reigned, with the conclusion that the ball must have struck a blue arm on its way out. Rochdale to their credit didn’t dispute the decision, and when the goalie dived to his right to push away Rico’s spot kick the feeling was that justice had been done.
Within seconds the ref blew for time accompanied by the sound of generous applause for both teams. Three very welcome points then for the young Clarets in a game in which they showed lots of character to turn around a somewhat hesitant first half performance.
Next Saturday there’s the mouth-watering prospect of a trip to the seaside and another chance to avenge an earlier defeat, and the even more mouth-watering prospect of après-match delicious fish and chips at the wonderful Potters Plaice.