Burnley should have been in front in the very
first minute. Okay, Payton looked offside. Perhaps he thought so, too. Anyway the
‘Padiham Predator’ belied his reputation, appearing to react too slowly to a
ball that pierced the Blues’ back-line and scuffing the opportunity wide. Then,
almost immediately Andrew Johnson found space on the edge of Burnley’s box and only a
smart save from NTG denied him. Grainger then hit our right post with a curling free kick
that totally dumfounded our keeper. But back came Burnley with the brilliant Graham Branch
even more impressive than a rejuvenated Glen Little.
I think I should stop to explain myself. ‘Brilliant’ and
Graham Branch have rarely featured in the same sentence. But today only this juxtaposition
would be fair. True, he nearly screwed up when he reacted petulantly to some bumping and
grinding as the game reached its final climax. He was incredibly fortunate to avoid
dismissal. Nevertheless, throughout the game, he caused the Blues’ defenders constant
difficulties with his speed and movement. His control and sinuous dribbling were
immaculate. At last he is repaying Stan’s faith in him.
There were other heroes, too. Ian Cox was again terrific at the
back. His pace, strength and composure stopped Birmingham running away with the game and
his headed goal on 61 minutes kept us in contention until Mark Burchill’s searing
strike finished us off with just four minutes left. Lenny Johnrose deserves enormous
credit as well. Not only did he display his usual battling qualities, he also showed ample
skill as he took on the Birmingham defenders. But in fairness, everyone played his part.
I’m sure Stan will pick holes in our defending as Birmingham raced into a two-goal
lead within five minutes of the resumption. O’Connor was almost alone as he rifled in
the Blues’ second. However, whilst coaches will always find fault in defeat,
sometimes it is just the power of the opposition, which turns a game. For Birmingham,
Adebola did just that.
With Birmingham failing to make anything of their good early
approach play, Francis brought Adebola and Laziridis on at the start of the second half.
It worked like a dream. Within three minutes, Lazridis powered to the by-line and flashed
a low cross into the goal area, which Adebola converted instantly. Adebola’s strength
and speed were the decisive factors after half time. Fed by some superb long probing
balls, he caused us a succession of problems. Arguably, Birmingham should have buried us
before Cox gave us a fighting chance. Horsfield’s miss was particularly wasteful. But
as Stan has told us, ‘this lot don’t jack it in’. Cox’s header came
after four successive corners were forced.
Robinson, who replaced Payton on 73 minutes, might have levelled,
had it not been for some pedantic refereeing. He was clean through when pulled back for a
free kick in our favour. Even when 3-1 down with little time left, Mullin’s surge
into the box gave Weller the opportunity to drive a loose ball into the roof of
Bennett’s net.
Taken as a whole, Birmingham deserved their victory. After half
time they not only looked a good side, they looked like one which might make it to the
Premiership. I normally shun worthless consolations like this but today I’ll make an
exception. I think it is a measure of how far Burnley have come that they made this a good
contest. Stan has been unfairly dubbed by some as a method manager, one whom is more
intent on neutralising the opposition than in expressing himself. True, we were chasing
the game after the interval. We needed to play. But throughout we showed abundant skill
and no attritional spoiling. Quite honestly, I don’t think we would have competed
with such a negative approach. I am pleased that we rose to the occasion.
Team: Michopoulos, Thomas,
Davis, Cox, Little (Weller 55), Ball, Mellon (Mullin 80), Johnrose, Briscoe, Payton
(Robinson 73), Branch. Subs not used: Crichton and Jepson.
