We're forever drawing bubbles

Last updated : 03 March 2004 By David Clark

Star Geezer - Glen Little
For the home side this was very much a point gained rather than two dropped, West Ham are the Division’s most difficult side to beat away from home and having lost only twice on their travels to date this season and their early domination of this game, Stan’s 300th in charge of the Clarets, looked as though he would have little to celebrate come the end of the game.

In truth, a draw was probably a fair result, both sides had their chances in what was the most entertaining game seen at the Turf this season both sets of fans leaving with much to discuss on their respective journeys home.

Whilst for West Ham it was more a case of who to leave out, for the Clarets it was a round up of the who was fit and able. Grant returned from suspension, Luke Chadwick gained a surprise recall in favour of Alan Moore, but there was no Neil Wood nor Richard Chaplow, leaving Clarets desperately short in centre midfield against a Hammers side oozing quality and confidence.

This confidence was all too evident as, from the off, the visitors set about Clarets as though the game was to be over by eight o’clock and their large following was on its feet for the opening period of the game in which Jensen and his defenders were being asked far too many questions.

Connolly was guilty of poor finishing, when firstly a poorly executed lob, then a poorly directed shot from a neat one-two after Camara’s error, were both saved by the overworked Jensen, grateful on both occasions that precision was missing from the strikers portfolio.

After weathering the early onslaught Clarets came out of their defensive shell and began to ask their own questions of the visiting defence, which in truth does not look as effective as its strike force.

Little and Chadwick were Clarets main threats going forwards and both were to have major impacts on the game, both having their best games for some time.

It was Robbie Blake who threatened ‘keeper Bywater the most though and he managed a good low shot to Bywater’s near post after twisting Mullins inside out on the quarter hour. Bywater got away with dropping the cross from the following corner as the game, now being evenly fought ebbed excitingly to and fro, the only thing to spoil proceedings being the officials who were largely inept.

Step forwards assistant Jim Devine, an assistant clearly intent on being a part of the game. Dear Jim, clearly yards behind play, gave Connolly onside and with howls of derision in his ears, allowed the Hammer to play on, forcing Jensen to make his best save of the night when full stretch to his left to keep out a well placed curled shot from close range.

On the half hour and in the next attack, Clarets took the lead. The move began with Chadwick’s direct run at Repka before a neat pass inside to Blake put further pressure on the visiting defence. Blake, having been given the needed split second to assess proceedings, played a superb diagonal pass in behind Mullins and Branch ran on to finish left footed into the roof of the net from the point of the six-yard area.

Sadly, Clarets could not hold the lead long enough to put Hammers under pressure, McGregor’s needless tug on Zamora in the area giving the visitors a quick chance to get back into the game only five minutes later. Connolly sent Jensen the wrong way for the equaliser as the game continued its high tempo.

Roche got in a great block on Reo-Coker as Hammers broke quickly following a Clarets corner and Jensen reacted well to keep out Zamora’s volley five minutes from the break. Final action of the half saw Connolly back in the action, once again Jensen down well to gather the striker’s good low shot in the run. HT 1-1.

Referee Phil Dowd - let down by the night's Star Gazer, assistant Jim Devine
The second continued as the first, but in truth the half was not as entertaining, nor up to the same levels of quality as the opening forty-five. Jensen struggled to deal with an awkward back pass in the opening minutes and Roche miscued on to the top of his own bar as the Hammers threatened again.

Little intercepted a loose pass and after setting up Chadwick the loan man’s shot was well blocked as Hammers’ defenders recovered their positions.

West came on for a presumably injured Roche and Clarets never really looked as solid after that point down their right hand side.

Blake conceded possession with another loose pass, this time Connolly seeing his shot charged down as Clarets defenders were in quickly to recover, before play broke for Clarets and Bywater saved smartly from Grant’s well struck long range effort following strong claims for a Clarets penalty, but the officials were having none of it.

West needlessly fouled Etherington on the hour, for which he was rightly booked, but the foul created the spark which ignited the fire a minute later.

Blake released West and after getting in his cross was caught late, very late, by Etherington. The following melees were varied and lengthy, bringing all three officials on to the field in varying attempts to calm matters down, but so pathetic and one sided were their interpretations of proceedings, that they saw fit to book two players from either side, Blake’s booking in particular the most ridiculous of the night, as he along with Etherington, Harley and Branch were all entered into Mr Dowd’s little book.

With tempers still frayed, the officials continued their low levels of officiating, May was clearly pushed to the ground with two hands by Harewood from the following corner, but nothing was given, the home crowd were by now incensed by the inept display of officiation.

The game calmed down somewhat from that point and Chadwick saw a good strong run end with a poorly directed shot twenty minutes from time as the game continued its path of flowing from one box to the other.

Camara’s trip on Harewood left a dangerous free kick to be defended and Jensen palmed over Harley’s drive before Harewood made way for McAnuff.

Reo-Coker shot powerfully from just outside the box but once again, the height was good for Jensen and another ball was parried to safety, the ’keeper redeeming his position after criticism from the previous game with Millwall.

Pardew went for a direct approach to goal with ten minutes remaining Brian Deane replacing Connolly before Alan Moore replaced Chadwick, the latter receiving a standing ovation for his good nights work.

Into injury time and after Nowland replaced Etherington, Little created the one final chance in the game. After a superb run he collected the ball back off a defender and put in a good deep cross, half cleared only to Blake, who, from the edge of the area, misdirected his volleyed shot agonisingly wide of Bywater’s right hand post.

In fairness a draw was the right result, yet when Clarets play as they did in this game, the quality and entertainment deserves a better number of watching spectators and 1st Division football should be the spectacle once again at the Turf next season. The point gained therefore was an important one as Clarets edge away from the bottom of the table.

Att:- 12,440

Star Gazer

Mr Jim Devine. Step forwards this season’s most inept assistant at the Turf. A man who saw most things incorrectly, his interpretation of offside consistently in error and his contribution to the booking of Blake bordered on the laughable.

Beer Money

In naming five subs Stan, at least had a squad of sixteen, but with three scholars and no ‘keeper padding the subs bench, the squad really was down to its bare bones for this one.

Star Geezer

There were many candidates for this one. Lee Roche, Tony Grant and Brian Jensen all played really well, but my vote gores to Glen Little, who put in a majestic performance on the night and just takes the vote. Always wanting the ball and always causing problems whenever he received the ball, this was Glen back to his mesmeric best and his performance helped Clarets address the imbalance in midfield.

Champagne Tastes

Great night, good football and for once a good atmosphere, helped by a sizeable away following prepared for a long round trip in midweek. That Clarets were able to match their illustrious visitors says much for the spirit of the small squad and bodes well for the remaining fixtures this season