Cunning Clarets Out Fox Leicester

Star Geezer - Arthur Gnohere

They became the first side to take any points from the impressive new Walkers Stadium as Leicester's 100% home record was broken. In a tremendous second half, where both sides went for the win, it was the Clarets and their resolute defensive display that won the day, the central partnership of Cox and man mountain Gnohere once again looking rock solid.

But this was not just a display built on a couple of good performances. Instead the whole team deservedly milked their applause from the jubilant following at the end of the game having witnessed one of the best, if not the best, away performance this season, as Clarets extended their unbeaten run to eleven games and ended Leicester's unbeaten run of eleven league games in the process.

With Stan once again banished to the stands Clarets began with a usual two up front formation, Ian Moore and the returning Taylor leading the line, supported by a midfield quartet of Blake, Davis, Little and Briscoe, with Branch, Gnohere, Cox and West making up the defensive line and Marlon in goal, who once again was to have a fine game.

In a bright opening to the game it was Leicester who had the first of the goal attempts, but Brian Deane's powerful shot was just off target in the very first minute. Both sides attempted to play neat football, but it was rather predictable stuff, the teams requiring far too much time to really upset their opposition, unlike off the field where the travelling Clarets were in fine voice and gave their opposite choristers a full repertoire of songs and chants - all to no response.

Here is another morgue like stadium, hushed by people having to sit in a single tiered library like atmosphere, Leicester's local plod only too willing to over zealously clamp down on anyone wishing to generate an atmosphere, or worse in having the audacity to stand up. So as Marlon collected Dickov's low shot with ease, the unnecessary first bout that saw the Lancastrians versus plod took over at the rear of the stand, plod managing to find at least two visiting supporters measuring less than five feet six in their troubles, all to chants of "you don't know what you're doing".

Two more interesting feuds were developing on the pitch; Taylor versus Taggart the more aggressive than the Arthur versus Deane duel, but the latter was to simmer throughout the game. Clarets' best move in the first half came on the half hour, started and ended by the once again impressive Robbie Blake. Collecting the ball on the half way line he advanced and played a neat ball out to the right hand side to West, who in turn fed the ball low and back into the path of Blake whose first time shot curled just over the angle from fifteen yards, Leicester's defence unable to cope with the neat approach play. As the half progressed, the football by and large reduced in it's attractiveness and half time rather predictably arrived as a goalless encounter.

So off to the insufficient facilities Walker's have to offer their visitors and the return of silly policing tactics as plod tried to close the refreshment outlets during the interval. Oh how we laughed as the shutters failed to close, jamming half way open, the near farcical state of disorganisation causing much amusement but also serving as a cause for some concern.

The second half was to prove much more entertaining and this time Clarets were first into action, a last ditch tackle from Taggart needed to stop the jinking Blake as he dribbled into the area. Leicester thought they had scored, they were wrong, as the linesman flagged offside at Deane, as he tapped home the rebound off Marlon after a good save from Dickov's initial shot.

Star Gazers - The policing at the Walkers Stadium

Ten minutes in came what was to prove the only and winning goal in the game. Leicester's defence stood and watched as Little's corner from the right was met by Davis who headed goal wards only for Ian Moore to react the quickest and change the direction of the initial header, his a downward header into the bottom corner of the net, cue wild celebrations all round.

The fifteen minutes that followed saw some great end to end football, the game now much improved and an exciting one to watch. Neat play from Blake set up Ian Moore, who was unlucky to lose his footing when shooting on the turn and Ian Walker was able to smother the shot. At the opposite end, Clarets one and only scare followed some sloppy defending and Marlon saved superbly with his legs from Dickov's close range volley half way through the half.

With Deane looking to dodgy referee Hill for moral support as Arthur continued to dominate their aerial battle, you sensed Clarets were on to a winner and they could and probably should have increased their lead having what were the better of the final chances in the game. Walker was at full stretch to parry away Little's powerful drive before Deane finally broke free from Arthur, but wasted two good back post headers in quick succession. With twenty minutes remaining Clarets counter attacked yet again, this time Little and Blake combining well to set up Taylor, who after cutting inside his man hit a powerful shot that Walker did extremely well with, parrying over for another corner.

Benjamin replaced Dickov as Leicester set up their final assault on Clarets goal, but it was the Clarets who should have doubled their lead with twelve minutes remaining. Briscoe's close range shot was well saved by Walker, but quite how he kept out Taylor's shot in the following melee was difficult to understand, the ball eventually coming back out off the post.

Into the final ten and aided by dodgy refereeing and a retreating Clarets defensive line, Clarets fans endured their customary long minutes of count down to the final whistle. Little was replaced by Weller, Ian Moore by Papa... and then Blake by Grant, as the sub-manager elected to slow down proceedings by constant interruptions from the sidelines.

Four long minutes of injury time passed without real incident, before mass celebrations greeted the final whistle, Arthur and Graham Branch noticeably leading the kissing the shirt badge routines, as they took their deserved applause in the standing ovation given to every one of them. It had been an absolutely marvellous performance.

Att:- 26,254

Star Gazers

As there was no Claret deserving of the award, it must surely go to Leicestershire police for their tactics in dealing with the matter of fans standing up in a stadium. If the objective of policing is to manage the safety and well being of the spectators, it beggars belief when they wade in to a crowd with batons drawn.

Glass Half Empty

A little puzzling that, during the second half, the counter attacking Clarets would put their foot on the ball and start passing side wards and backwards instead of going for goal when having the majority of numbers in the attacks.

Star Geezer

Whilst all eleven deserve mention, special praise must go to Arthur for a majestic performance in defence. Able to succeed in his personal battle with the dangerous Brian Deane, Leicester's main threat, he was also able to go forward and used the ball well when coming out of defence.

Glass Half Full

This was a superb example of how to win away from home. Gain the lead, then defend resolutely and shut shop with the whole team working as a unit. That's four straight wins now with only two goals conceded in the last four games as Clarets develop in to a team that on this kind of form is a very hard one to break down.