Double defeat shoots down Clarets

Last updated : 03 February 2008 By Kieron Duxbury
James O'Connor
James O'Connor - smashed the ball into the net to give Burnley the lead
An early departure from Burnley saw a team of Claret fans take on West Brom's Boing FC in their first ever league game. Just like their Championship counterparts, they were flying high in the league, but this did not affect the Burnley lads whatsoever.

A match filled with goals, experience and laughs was in line for the Clarets team, but it was to be extremely unfortunate Burnley's first game would end in a 8-3 full time defeat.

A matter of hours after the game finished, Burnley's supporters team marched on to the Hawthorns ground to support their team against top of the table Albion, who would be more of a fight in a higher stake match.

The signings of 3 players during January gave the Clarets a massive boost, but one more than the others had the supporters eyes primed, and this was none other than 284 career goal hitman Andrew Cole, who followed out of the Sunderland doors after Stanislav Varga.

Many Burnley fans expected him to start, giving his excellent reputation of scoring, but Robbie Blake and Ade Akinbiyi managed to keep their starting positions, reserving Cole to the bench for this match, as well as new signing Mark Randall. James O'Connor continued in his starting role against his former club, as also Brian "the Beast" Jensen, and ex Albion loanee Stanislav Varga did.

A foul on wing star Wade Elliott saw a similar situation as always; Robbie Blake taking a free kick. A perfect free kick saw a header from a Burnley player which was latched onto by James O'Connor, smashing the ball into the back of the Albion net from a matter of feet. Burnley's away record this season has been rather phenomenal, and this was starting to show having scored at top of the table Albion in a matter of minutes.

West Brom pressed on for an equaliser, with chances from the likes of James Morrison, whilst Clarets star Varga was praised for some outstanding defending, before a disputed corner for Albion saw a goal by loan star Bostjan Cesar on 26 minutes.

After a rather positive first half by both teams, the pressing for a 3rd game goal continued, and on the hour mark, Roman Bednar, the new Albion star on loan from Hearts, latched onto a Robinson delivery which was thumped into the back of the net, giving Albion a lead.

Then the moment that all Burnley fans at the ground had been waiting for; Andrew Cole warming up to come on for his first appearance in Claret colours, and on 61 minutes, Ade Akinbiyi was substituted to a rapturous applause for new boy Cole to enter the field.

A counter attack on 70 minutes by West Brom saw left back star Harley make a clumsy tackle, resulting in a penalty, which was saved by former Baggie Jensen with a superb low left save. This was then followed by the pitch arrival of Arsenal loanee Mark Randall, replacing Chris McCann.

Chances were a plenty in the final 20 minutes, with Zoltan Gera unleashing a spectacular shot which was expertly saved by the Burnley number 12 goalie, whilst O'Connor latched onto a superb header, with only the power on his shot stopping him from getting past Dean Kiely. A great pass by former Celtic star Beattie was latched onto by Koren, with only the woodwork stopping his 20 yard screamer from becoming a spectacular goal for any match.

So regardless of the full time result, there was in excess of 2000 Burnley fans travel down the M6 to the Hawthorns, a double defeat for Burnley, debuts for Andrew Cole and Mark Randall and a rather level performance by referee Mr Pike.

But on the whole, it was an enjoyable day out none the less.