|
While most of the pre-match attention surrounded Franchise’s move, Stan Ternent’s thoughts at the end will be occupied by the manner his team relinquished a 2-goal lead, to a side clearly lacking in quality.
A Milton Keynes noted for only grid pattern roads, roundabouts and plastic cows became the centre of attention prior to kick off. All the excitement resulted in a pre match power cut and a 15 minute delay, the farcical build up to the day continued on entrance to the stadium as confusion and chaos surrounded the ground.
When everybody settled down, the Clarets quietly clicked into gear, Franchise's endeavour was commendable but a distinct lack of quality however must be a concern to their manager.
The only threat to Burnley in the first half appeared to be Burnley themselves, a nervous defence not helped by an unpredictable goalkeeper, but Brian Jensen and the back four went into the break with a clean sheet and with Burnley two up.
Robbie Blake scored his first of two goals, with a deflected free kick in the 21st minute. With seven defeats in a row Franchise’s response was sluggish and 16 minutes later Blake helped himself to his second. Delroy Facey showed great strength to break down the right and supply a cross for Blake to convert into the bottom corner.
Ten minutes into the second half, with the Clarets in complete control, referee Mark Warren from the West Midlands, in consultation with his assistant sent David May off, a second booking for deliberate handball.
May’s first half booking was harsh enough, a clean and fair challenge punished by the official, his second booking was very questionable, May did his best to control the ball on his chest, and the benefit of any doubt should surely have gone May’s way.
With Burnley down to ten men, Franchise’s new ‘fans’ spurred their team into action, and the consequence was a Franchise goal, Patrick Agyemang found Dean Holdsworth, a member of the original Wimbledon ‘crazy gang’, and he scored their first home goal with a curling shot.
Five minutes later, careless Burnley marking allowed Agyemang to head home Jobi McAnuff’s cross, the comeback complete.
Burnley’s supporters almost witnessed a complete collapse, as Agyemang continued to cause problems and the Clarets were continually caught in possession, but a point it turned out to be as the feeling of a defeat had started to creep in.
As for the ‘new’ Franchise, in Europe’s biggest town without a football club, under 5,000 people showed any interest and at prices as high as £35 a ticket, there is plenty of room for doubt.
As for Burnley they travel to Watford on Tuesday and face yet another poor 1st division side, let's hope both the referee and the Clarets do not go letting the chance for another three points slip again.
Burnley Team: Brian Jensen 5, Dean West 8, David May 6, Andy Todd 6, Mo Camara 7, Luke Chadwick 6 (Richard Chaplow), Gareth Farrelly 7, Paul Weller 6 , Ian Moore 5, Robbie Blake 8 ( Graham Branch), Delroy Facey 6. Subs not used: Lee Roche, Tony Grant, Matt O’Neill.