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Weller had just returned to form with his performance at the Priestfield last Monday so it was a major blow for him to miss out but there were certainly some good midfield performances today.
With Ian Moore passing his fitness test it was an otherwise unchanged team and the Clarets wasted no time at all in getting on top of the game but it was Crewe who had the first chance but Dean Ashton made a woeful attempt and his effort went well wide.
We were getting forward in numbers with the usual threesome of Little, Blake and Chadwick seeing a lot of the ball and Blake was to have our first shot but it went narrowly wide.
Chances were few and far between though although we nearly went in front with an own goal and then Chaplow shot over from just over twenty yards out.
Ian Moore had never looked comfortable and it did bring into question whether he really was fit enough to play. That was answered with just 21 minutes gone when he had to come off and was replaced by Alan Moore who took up his namesake’s forward position.
The fans were getting a bit restless at some of the play which at times was much too over elaborate and we had a spell when there were chants of ‘Shoot’ every time a Burnley player got within thirty yards of the Crewe goal.
Crewe did come into the game in the latter stages of the first half and did look somewhat more threatening than we had but the half time whistle blew with the score 0-0 and the hope that there would be some goals in the second half.
We have a reputation for going at sides at the beginning of the second half and that is certainly what happened here. We looked to have stepped up a gear and we didn’t have to wait too long for that elusive first goal.
It was a good goal and it will be one for young Chappy to treasure. The move started down the right with Glen Little and Fred West and it was West who got the cross in. Alan Moore dummied over the ball and Chaplow came storming in and from about ten yards out gave Crewe keeper Clayton Ince no chance at all with a well struck shot.
His reaction suggested that he had enjoyed the goal and it is without doubt some time since a player so young scored a league goal for the Clarets.
One up and within just a couple of minutes the game should have been in the bag as we missed two glaring opportunities. Firstly after a build up on the left Robbie Blake put a perfect ball into Little’s path. He should have hit it first time but he took a touch and then when it looked easier to score he blazed his effort way over the bar from close range.
Almost immediately we were back forward again and this time won a penalty when Ashton handled a Mo Camara cross. It was the assistant who gave the spot kick despite the referee being in a better position. The decision looked a harsh one to me.
It made no difference though as Ince saved Blake’s penalty and we were still just the one goal to the good and this gave the visitors a lift.
They got more into the game and after a mistake by Camara, he looked good going forward but somewhat shaky defending, should have resulted in an equaliser but Steve Jones hit a poor effort against the post.
Stan made a second substitution taking off the by now knackered looking Chaplow with Arthur coming on into a midfield role for the last few minutes. The change allowed Chappy to take his bow after his best performance yet in his few league appearances.
There were a couple of scares but we held out with David May in outstanding form at the back and finally picked up our first home points of the season.
Overall we deserved the win in a game that was not a typical English league game with both sides putting an emphasis on passing the ball and the players gave the referee an easy afternoon with few fouls.
There were a number of good performances for the Clarets but the top player for me was Tony Grant. Apparently to listen to some fans Grant is not very good. Today he looked like the Grant of old and was an inspiration in midfield. He got up and down the pitch, he won tackles and his passing at time was a joy.
Someone needs to work out a way for him to consistently show this kind of form, what an asset that would be in a Burnley midfield.
A good week then and after wondering where we would get our first point we have managed to collect six in the last six days and without conceding a goal.
There’s still no doubt that the squad needs strengthening and again today there were only four subs on the bench although why Hindle or one of the youth players (they didn’t have a game today) couldn’t be given the fifth place remains a mystery.
But for now let’s celebrate our second win of the week, our first home win of the season and our climb up to 15th place in the league and only four points from a play off position. Things do look to be getting better.
The teams were,
Burnley: Brian Jensen, Dean West, David May, Graham Branch, Mo Camara, Glen Little, Robbie Blake, Richard Chaplow (Arthur Gnohere 87), Tony Grant, Luke Chadwick, Ian Moore (Alan Moore 21). Subs not used: Paul Scott, Matt O’Neill.
Crewe: Clayton Ince, David Wright, David Vaughan, Stephen Foster, Adie Moses (Chris McCready 70), Kenny Lunt, Justin Cochrane (Neil Sorvel 71), Dave Brammer, Ben Rix (Allan Smart 77), Steve Jones, Dean Ashton. Subs not used: Ademola Bankole, Richard Walker.
Referee: Graham Laws (Whitley Bay).