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Several stinging saves from Clarets' keeper Brian Jensen and a much improved 2nd half display, after the introduction of Alan Mahon and James O'Connor, proved enough as goals from Gray, Blake and Akinbiyi eventually killed off the bad stench of Oldham.
A free press pass; programme; coffee; press room interviews; red carpet; panoramic view from 'The Longside'; wireless network access; a couple of beers and an informal chat with players post-match was expected for this amateur journalist. The reality was, on behalf of Clarets Mad, a 10-minute queue for ticket entrance - the longest experienced for a Carling Cup game; supporters arguing with stewards about seat allocations; moving seats 2nd half; a smoke-filled toilet that would kill anyone passively; a Bovril; an uncomfortable plastic chair and 2 neurotic supporters (1 a teacher and we all know what we think about them!). I await a response Mr. Flood! It was not my ideal dream on my first reporting job but nonetheless passionate and hugely enjoyable for my first Clarets game this season.
A rather depleted Clarets squad (see CT's report for team selections) attacking the Cricket field stand started brightly though and should have been ahead early as Blake opted to pass to Gray across the box instead of shooting from 8 yards. Moments later, Gray skied over after a lovely triangular move down the right-hand side that ended with the commendable right-back John Spicer pulling the ball back from the by-line. Before this, an inexplicable back-pass from Wing Wizard Wade I (WWWI) put lard-boy Ricketts down our right channel but his cross was over-hit and wasted a good early opportunity for the visitors.
Oldham started the game with intent and were breaking at every possible moment - Ricketts had an appeal turned down after the ball may have touched Steven Jordan's arm and from a resulting corner headed over. Shortly after, the impressive Latics striker Craig Davies (Bo Selecta, Craig!), who found good scoring positions all night, had a shot blocked by the Clarets skipper Caldwell after a scramble around the edge of the box. But Burnley were counter-attacking quickly and a cross from WWWI just skimmed Gray's head.
Our first comedy moment of the evening - for which there were several, came from Captain courageous who tried his luck with a left-foot cross/shot that just missed the corner flag, from outside the box. A couple of efforts from Blake forced a comfortable save and a near miss just past the left-hand post before Oldham's final chance of the half - a shot from 8 yards that whizzed past the post after another scramble from a corner.
My first experience of Pie & Chips at half-time was dampened with a whistle that screeched through the tannoy system and my ears before a near-death experience of smoke-induced lavatories. If there were police in those toilets they would be pretty wealthy after on the spot fines in a public place. Anyway, that is one for the messageboarders!! Thanks B.
The start of the 2nd half began with Oldham dominating possession and chances as Burnley settled in their new personnel. The Latics should have taken the lead with both Ricketts and Davies having good chances - the latter receiving the loudest cheer of the night rounding 'The Beast' but blasting wide of an open net, after the whistle had sounded for offside (comedy moment No.2). But as we see so often the devil comes back to haunt you and Oldham will rue their early pressure. Blake's penultimate chance, before scoring, was a 30 yard free-kick that rasped off the post after PNE old-boy Sean Gregan (well played by the way) conceded the free-kick. Gray then hit the opener with a rather fortuitous goal. Gregan again lost possession on the edge of the box after being hurried by Gray before he scuffed the ball that deflected off a Latics defender and miraculously looped into the net to relieve the relieve the Clarets faithful.
Moments later, Mahon arrived late but shot straight at Crossley after a lovely pull back from Gray before he, back to goal, looked to be bundled over but referee Keith Hill waved on - a harsh decision had it been given. The game was constantly flowing back and forth and Oldham were agonisingly close when The Beast had his fingers stung twice from Davies' shots in front of their vocal away contingent before defender John Thompson (nice!) headed over from 6 yards. Finally though, Blake deserved his goal with a beautiful move orchestrated by Mahon.
After picking the ball in the middle of the park our 'jewel in the crown' perfectly weighted the ball through the Latics defence where Blake's touch and strength, to hold off the defender, was class before clinically powering a left-foot strike past Crossley. The Latics should have earned their place back into the game but some resolute defending and goal-line clearances from Ade and Carlisle (I think) saved a nervous finish. There was still enough time for Ade to coolly finish after another defence splitting pass fro WWWI, this time, although a HGV would have fit through as Oldham courageously battled for a goal.
Overall, an excellent 7,000+ attendance; an end-end game of football; good Tuesday night atmosphere and many implications to our team provide us with our next step towards Wem-ber-lee. A nice easy tie at home will do, please.
Cheers CT - a free ticket would be nice next time though! Although it did only cost £3.50 for me to get in!! Good ol' Burnley FC and Bigfoot (personal joke)!