It is incredible how often the opening day of the season gets this sort of weather and it is a credit to the players of both sides that they were able to produce a game as good as the one we got in these difficult conditions.
There were no surprises in Steve Cotterill’s first line up, it is somewhat difficult with so few players to choose from, and Lee Roche as expected was the one left out to sit on the bench with Brian Jensen and the three younger players.
The pitch looked less than perfect with some bare patches and Jeff Brown was building the crowd up into some sort of frenzy as the teams finally came out.
And sun glasses were definitely the order of the day with the visitors in the brightest of orange shirts, changing from their traditional red and white stripes.
Steve Cotterill missed his moment as he walked round to the dug out, the PA chose to announce the teams at precisely the wrong time – but again failing to mention who was in the opposition line up.
The ball boys have definitely grown since the end of last season and in keeping with most clubs we now have a number of footballs around to keep the game moving rather than waiting for the one ball to come down off the roof.
We started well and were soon on the attack with the Clarets fans really getting behind the team and with any luck at all could have taken an early lead but it was Sheffield United who found the net first on the quarter hour only to see the assistant’s flag up for offside.
A minute later though and the ball was in the net at the other end and this one counted. It all came from some superb work by Chappy who got in a cross that a defender could only head straight at Micah Hyde. The ball flew off him and in to give us the start we wanted.
A debut goal for Hyde, just as Lee Roche had done a year earlier, and it was another of the new players who was in action shortly afterwards to keep the lead. A shot from outside the box from Jon Harley looked to be heading for the bottom corner but Danny Coyne made a superb save to keep it out at the expense of a corner.
As the half drew to a close the visitors were forcing their way back into it but when the impressive Phil Joslin blew for half time we certainly deserved our lead.
Jamie Hoyland apparently made the half time draw but with what looked like 6,000 cheerleaders in the centre circle at the time nobody could see him.
If we edged the first half then the second half was definitely Sheffield United’s and they were level within seven minutes of the restart following a twice taken throw in. 
We decided we were going to do something to prevent Leigh Bromby’s long throws reaching the box. Graham Branch was spoken to by the referee for illegally jumping in front of Bromby and then when Chappy did it he allowed the throw to be taken again.
This time the throw dropped kindly for former
We came storming back and only some last ditch defending prevented us from regaining the lead. But it wasn’t to last long and eventually Sheffield United took over the game.
Just after the hour we came very close to falling behind in an amazing sequence of events inside our penalty box. It looked as though they had at least eight shots at goal, all of which were either saved or blocked.
It ended with us finally clearing the ball with two players, Coyne and Michael Duff, needing treatment. Both were eventually able to resume although Duff did need treatment in the dressing room.
The difference between the two sides was highlighted when they were able to bring on two more forwards as the players tired whilst we had to continue and the only change we made was Lee Roche for Tony Grant who had had a poor game by his standards.
The fourth official held up the board showing three more minutes and in the very last of them we really should have lost it but former
There were many positives, the first half performance was excellent when Micah Hyde was at times running the show in midfield.
But even when we were under pressure there was much to admire about the way we defended. Yes we had some luck but there was some fantastic defending at times. Duff looks a steal from
For me though it has to be one of the central defenders and I’m going for Frank Sinclair who, one second half error apart, had a stormer at the back.
There’s no doubt about it, we need more players, and we are going to have problems if we don’t get any more. There’s also the plus of seeing that the new manager has made what look to be five very good signings who will all strengthen the team.
The attendance of 16,956 will help, that has to be higher than the club expected and will therefore be a financial bonus as we look to raise funds to help increase the numbers in the squad.
The attitude though was first class and this
The teams were,
Burnley: Danny Coyne, Michael Duff, Frank Sinclair, John McGreal, Mo Camara, Richard Chaplow, Tony Grant (Lee Roche 83), Micah Hyde, Graham Branch, Robbie Blake, Ian Moore. Subs not used: Brian Jensen, Matt O’Neill, Joel Pilkington, Ryan Townsend.
Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Leigh Bromby, Chris Morgan, Phil Jagielka, Alan Wright, Andy Liddell (Jonathan Forte 78), Jon Harley, Nick Montgomery, Michael Tonge, Barry Hayles (Ashley Ward 67), Andy Gray. Subs not used: Alan Quinn, Stuart McCall, Ian Ross.
Referee: Phil Joslin (
Attendance: 16,956