Good Time Charlie Beats the Reds

Last updated : 24 October 2012 By Niall Murphy

The evening didn’t get off to the best of starts. Bristol was busy, and progress was slow. Wadesawinger got lost on route, ending up on a country road behind a slurry lorry – fragrant. Ashton Gate was its usual welcoming self – backless seats and a shrill, indecipherable PA. There were not as many Clarets as usual – but it’s a long journey to Bristol, midweek.

Those who had made the trip didn’t have to wait long for payback. Charlie Austin- who else? – opened the scoring after 9 minutes, deftly knocking home Chris McCann’s pass. “He used to build walls…” rang out in the damp, foggy air. Charlie equalled Ray Pointer’s record of scoring in 8 consecutive games – a feat achieved so long ago it was before even my time.

Burnley were looking good value for their lead, although City’s Albert Adomah – showing why he had got the fans’ “Player of the Month” award before kick-off – looked tricky and threatening. City equalised on 20 minutes, with Steven Davies scoring from a skilful free-kick awarded after he’d been fouled by Duff.  Martin Paterson – a late replacement for Ross Wallace – was making the most of his promotion. He was involved in the move that led to the penalty awarded on 58 minutes, when McCann's was handled. Charlie – of course – scored from the spot, to the delight of the travelling Clarets. And Paterson deservedly got on the scoresheet on the hour, when his hammered shot was deflected low into the Bristol net. Cue more delight on the away terraces – and Pato himself was clearly pleased

Three- one away from home. It should have been comfortable – but it wasn’t. City kept pressing, and the Clarets looked more and more nervous. Almost inevitably, City got a penalty, when Michael Duff – one of four Burnley players booked - fouled Stephen McManus. Baldock confidently hit the penalty into the centre of the goal. But surely we could hold out….

We couldn’t. Adomah  - who had been well contained for most of the game – hit his free-kick against the bar to leave Anderson with a simple tap-in.

But this was a very different Burnley from the Swindon game, and Chris McCann’s hanging header from Kieran Trippier's cross – in the 6th minute of added time – gave us a deserved victory. Terry Pashley’s Claret and Blue Army had its second victory.

It was an exciting, open game. I felt we wore worthy winners. McCann got better as the game went on, and Martin Paterson was energetic, focused and determined throughout. Charlie was, again, excellent – can we keep him?  He scored two, and I felt he could have got more, had Junior Stanislas’s judgement and passing been better. Trippier and Mee were impressive

The result, and the spirit that achieved it, bode well for the rest of the season. Whoever comes in as manager has a  real opportunity.