Passion, Pride and Belief

Last updated : 13 September 2006 By Martin Heys
James O'Connor - excellent performance
On a warm Tuesday night at Turf Moor, Barnsley came to town and I was sure that we were to get something from the game after 3 home reversals out of 3 home games. Needless to say, Burnley started brightly, as they did on Saturday and had a few efforts, one in particular that was flashed wide by Andy Gray from Wade Elliott's excellent cross. The crowd were behind the Clarets from kick off, and it seemed to boost Burnley as Hyde and Jones both had shots blocked and we passed it around the pitch well.

Nevertheless, after such a good start, more defensive errors cost us two quick goals, as Barnsley went two-nil up. The first one looked offside at first to me, as the man the ball was intended for was in an offside position, but it took a wicked deflection off a Burnley player and Michael McIndoe was through to slot home after outpacing a flat footed Wayne Thomas. Duff was then caught faffing on the ball and McIndoe was again on the score sheet.

2-0 down at home and it was looking like we were headed for our fourth successive defeat at Turf Moor. Just after Barnsley's second goal, Mahon, who looked to have injured himself, came off for Gifton, who took his place up front, and Jones moved onto the wing.

We needed to find that extra gear and we desperately needed to score before half time to have any chance in this game. Barnsley then conceded a free kick, some 25 yards out, for a foul on Gifton, and Jon Harley stepped up to curl the ball round the wall and into the goal. Finally, a goal at the right time and just as we were finding more momentum, the half time whistle went, and Burnley went off to a standing ovation, despite the fact that we were 2-1 down.

The second half kicked off and we were going for it. I could sense that something was going to happen and I knew there were more goals in this match. At 2-1 down James O'Connor showed the passion that we all wanted to see. He fought for balls and he never stopped. It was his tackle that led to our equaliser. He won the ball and freed Elliott down the right, where he beat his man (shock, horror!!) and whipped in a sublime cross which Gifton rose to meet and nodded down, into the goal. It was his first goal for Burnley in just over a year and it was more than well deserved as he showed the boo boys exactly where they could stick them.

Beast ran the full length of the pitch to jump on him to congratulate his mate on the goal, and that showed us what it meant to the players, but there was surely something extra in the locker. But Barnsley were still in the game and they hit the underside of the bar just after we equalised and they still posed a threat. Gifton then received the ball on the edge of the area and tried to curl it into the top corner, but it went hopelessly high and wide. Minutes later, and he received a pass from Hyde in a near identical position, but this time let rip and the ball flew in off the underside of the bar. Gifton had just scored his second in a game and it came to rapturous applause and cheers from the Clarets fans.

With two minutes left, Gifton squeezed home his third goal and Burnley's fourth of the night after a mis-hit shot from Micah and he was then substituted to a standing ovation like I have never seen.

The final score was 4-2, and after being 2-0 down, I think we showed great character, especially the excellent James O'Connor, who even at 2-0 down, did not give up and was showing the type of passion and pride we come to expect from Burnley players, Wade Elliott must also get a mention as he played really well throughout and he actually beat a man and set up a goal, and finally, Mr Gifton Noel-Williams, who gave 100% from the moment he came on. He looks leaner, meaner and a lot more like a striker than a hazard to us. His hat-trick, I believe, is his first ever in his professional career, and if he can show the belief, then I am sure that we all can.

Roll on Saturday at the windy, cold Britannia Stadium, when we look to carry on our good form there.