The Clarets make a point - Wimbledon 0 Burnley 0

Last updated : 13 January 2002 By Andy Robinson
Stan was happy with a point
For some time now the very thought of an away match against Wimbledon on a bumpy pitch in early January has been enough to strike fear into the most accomplished of opponents.

Although they have slipped from grace in the last couple of years it is still a difficult encounter and the Clarets can be well satisfied with a point.

Starting 4-5-1 as expected with Ian Moore as the lone striker and the return of Graham Branch at left back pushing Lee Briscoe into midfield Burnley were clearly determined to give nothing away.

With Wimbledon struggling to break through a resolute defence and the Clarets unable to make an impression at the other end the game itself was something of a non-event.

That the game produced so few chances was due in no small part to a playing surface that Stan called ‘diabolical', a sentiment with which Dons boss Terry Burton struggled to disagree.

Whilst Wimbledon held the upper hand in the first period the Clarets swapped it around at the break to revert to a 4-4-2 with substitute Dimitris Papadopoulos joining Ian Moore up front at the expense of the returning Paul Cook. This was not to bring any increase in chances created but we looked more compact and solid in this formation and held out the hope that we would sneak one on the break but it was not to be.

So, with 19 games left, 10 of which are at home, the Clarets still find themselves very handily placed, far better off than anyone anticipated at the start of the season.

If Burnley do achieve anything this season by virtue of a single point maybe not many we will look back on a long and depressing trip to South London as the place where it was gained but it would be wrong to ignore it.


Here is how the action unfolded:

First-Half:

5
A quiet start to the game with no chances for either side.

9 Ian Cox just fails to get on the end of a Lee Briscoe free kick.

10 Neil Shipperley fires in a shot straight at Nik.

15 Alan Moore goes into the referee's book for a late challenge.

17 Anderson is booked for a trip on Alan Moore who looked through on goal. The resulting free kick comes to nothing.

22 Cooper is given plenty of room on the edge of the box forcing Nik into a save and the Clarets have to scramble it clear.

29 Graham Branch links up well down the left with Paul Cook and Feuer is forced to tip Branch's cross over the bar.

34 David Connolly hits a free kick over the Clarets bar.

37 Hughes turns and shoots forcing Nik into a brilliant tip around the post.

40 Danger looming for the Clarets as the Dons start to get on top.

45 Burnley end the half getting back into the game but it's 0-0 at the break.

Second Half:

46 Dimitri Papadopoulos replaces Paul Cook as the Clarets go 4-4-2.

50 Even stuff at the start of the second period but the Clarets need to start creating chances.

55 Papa is looking lively up front and the Clarets force a couple of corners.

60 Gareth Ainsworth replaces McAnuff for the Dons.

65 Burnley are looking to get into the game more but the second half has been fairly devoid of goal mouth action.

70 Ian Moore turns on the edge of the box and fires in a shot which Feuer does well to save.

72 Graham Branch is booked after clattering into Connolly on the edge of the box

73 Kevin Ball follows Branch into the referee's notebook for another late challenge as the temperature starts to rise.

77 Tony Ellis replaces Papadopoulos who has picked up an injury.

82 Panic in the Clarets goalmouth sees Graham Branch block what looked to be a goal bound shot from Ainsworth.

85 Tony Ellis puts a shot well wide after good work from Branch and Briscoe.

89 Cooper flashes a header just wide as Burnley look to hang on.

93 Burnley can't make anything out of a corner in the last minute of injury time and the game ends 0-0.