This match
report can be summed up in four words: the best team won. The only reason the game went
into extra time, never mind penalties, was because Nik the Greek made a handful of
outstanding saves.
The popular view was that, after Lenny Johnrose threw us a lifeline deep
into injury time at Turf Moor, our season was back on track. That was the minnows from
Lincolnshire’s chance gone. This was reinforced by the first replay being postponed,
Burnley beating Barnsley and Scunthorpe losing the only game they’ve plated since 6th
January.
So what went wrong? My two thoughts at the start of the season were:
Oversimplification? Maybe, but there’s only three teams in the
division scored fewer goals than us. Ian Moore gives 100%, battles hard, but scores one
goal every four games. Didn’t Andy Cooke do that?
Scunthorpe had twice as many shots as us and hit the woodwork, because
when they got the ball they weren’t afraid to have a go for goal. On the other hand,
Burnley seem to want to walk the ball into the back of the net.
In over three and a half hours of football and a penalty shout-out,
we’ve been second best for long periods to a team two divisions lower: a team
who’ve lost as many league games as they’ve won and are tenth – mid-table.
The only bright spot (apart from Michopoulos’ superb display) was the
introduction of Glen Little for Paul Cook early in the second half. For a few minutes,
with the game still scoreless, it seemed as though he might be able to turn things the
Clarets’ way. But following this, there was a ten minute period when it seemed a
Scunthorpe goal would come at any second.
Nevertheless, when the first goal came it was ours, from a sublime through
ball to Payton from Little. 1-0 down with 17 minutes to go and the home fans quiet: it
must be our night, we thought. But we were wrong. Their freekick scored with eight minutes
left took us into extra time.
Johnrose had our best chance in extra time, but his bullet header from a
corner went straight into keeper Evans’ hands.
Then with twelve minutes to go to a penalty shout out, Stan takes Payton
off to replace him with John Mullin. Some people booed that decision. It isn’t about
Mullin coming on – I think he should be playing from the start – but your first
choice penalty taker going off? Stan didn’t like it. He complained after the match
and asked "what do these people want?" Well Stan, they want Burnley to win
football matches against lower league teams. They also spend a lot of money, take time off
work, and will be doing so when you’re spending time with your grandchildren. If
Payton has a hamstring injury, he shouldn’t be playing – or he should be coming
off earlier than the 108th minute, shouldn’t he? He didn’t appear to
be in discomfort, or ask to be replaced.
Still, Stan knows best…
Almost
the crime of the Century