The game settled into a brisk rhythm, both sides playing neat, passing football, with Canvey in particular making some headway down the flanks. An even first ten minutes gave way to one of Canvey’s best periods of the game, with their wideman giving Briscoe a worrying time. On the 20 minute mark, Canvey attacking midfielder Miller unleashed a low, hard drive from well outside the box, and Niko was at full stretch as the ball whistled just wide of his right-hand post.
At this fright, the crowd was stirred to a rousing 'Come on Burnley', but predictably the home fans were thoroughly outsung by the 400 or so Canvey Islanders, who made up a colourful sight decked out in the bright yellow and blue of their team. They had a nice line in self-depreciation too, my favourite being 'We’re just a park team from Essex'. The near-miss galvanised Burnley. Arthur, fed up with watching Alan Moore’s ineffectual flicks and nudges, set off on one of his mad runs down the left, brushing off a couple of challenges before brilliantly side-stepping a Canvey defender close to the corner flag. The defender slid off the pitch, such was the speed of his lunge, and although Arthur’s cross came to nothing, his run succeeded in getting the crowd and the team going, and the Clarets were soon one up.
Burnley’s opener was a good move, with Dean West opening up the Canvey defence with a ball that set Ian Moore off down the right. His cross fell to a defender at the far post, but his scuffed clearance fell to Little and he made no mistake with a free shot from penalty-spot range. Cue loud and extremely relieved celebrations from three-quarters of the ground.
Those expecting Burnley to pull away to a comfortable victory initially had their expectations fed, as the Clarets began to stroke the ball around imperiously. However, Canvey continued to quickly pull men behind the ball once possession had been lost, and Burnley were denied the opportunity to increase their lead. Worryingly, Glen Little went down holding the back of his thigh, more problems with his hamstring it seemed, and Canvey had another purple patch in which they maintained possession in Burnley’s half, with the Clarets unable to clear their lines even when given the opportunity to do so.
Just as Canvey were looking good for an equaliser, Burnley struck again. Once again, Ian Moore was in the thick of the action, tussling with a Canvey defender and winning a free kick on the right, around ten yards outside the box. From Little's delivery, Moore rose and directed the ball over the keeper into the far corner of the net. It looked like a subtle flick from where we were, though TV replays suggested it was an uncertain brush against the back of the head or the shoulder, but it was Mooro’s goal, and well-deserved for his industry alone.
Half time arrived with the Clarets, having only had two shots on target in the entire half, somewhat fortunate to go in 2-0 up. It should have been three shots on target, but Gareth Taylor hilariously ballooned a free kick high into the Cricket Field Stand. Those not away on balti pie missions or recycling Moorhouse's witnessed a rare half-time treat. The geezer on the pitch with the microphone asked the Turf to put its hands together in appreciation for today’s Claret legend – who in his career also played for Morecambe, Great Harwood Town and Burnley Bank Hall – Phil Malley!!
For those reading this who didn’t have the dubious pleasure of watching Burnley in the mid to late 80s, Malley was a stupendously incompetent footballer who was signed by John Bond in 1984 and continued to invite derision until finally given the chop by Brian Miller in 1988. He once generated a newspaper headline by not being jeered (in fact, he even received a few ironic cheers) because, out of the blue one day, he played quite well. The reaction of the crowd ranged from ‘Phil who?’ bemusement to peals of laughter from those who could actually remember him. A few polite souls applauded. Poor lad, he probably wasn’t expecting a Jimmy Mac roar, but his trudge to the centre spot was around 30 yards too long for his reception.
Formalities over, the teams came out for the second half, and Paul Weller prepared to enter the fray. Gareth Taylor was the absentee. Tim reported that he’d noticed Taylor limping off at half time, so a potential injury worry there. Weller went in central midfield with Grant and Ball, giving Little and Moore a more specific role down the flanks. Ian Moore remained up front alone.
The second half started with a bang, as the Clarets dominated the opening phase of the half and created more than the odd chance, with Moore’s glancing header just inches from rounding off a splendid move. Cook replaced Little, and was soon well involved, but Canvey once more dug in and grafted themselves back into the game. On 66 minutes a long ball to the left corner of the box deceived West, who allowed his attacker to shrug him off and deliver a low cross. Canvey striker Boylan was waiting on the penalty spot and he assuredly drove the ball past Michopoulos, high into the net. The Canvey contingent erupted and the team instantly and clearly grew in belief.
The next ten minutes were nervous times. Canvey had a real go at the Clarets, but without creating any clear chances. Cox and Gnohere led by example, and Dean West, in the first half embarrassingly outpaced by the Canvey left-winger, got up twice to make vital headed interceptions. Unable to find a way through, Canvey started to toil, and the Clarets’ far superior fitness came into play.
On 77 minutes, Ian Moore advanced on the left, cut inside the Canvey defence and curled a measured shot round the keeper and into the far corner of the net. Game over. The last ten minutes were excellent entertainment as the Clarets created chance after chance. Stan brought on Papadopoulos for Alan Moore, and the young Greek should have opened his first team account when put clear through by Weller. He took it round the keeper but was forced too wide to shoot. An international under-21 striker should have put it away with ease.
To round things off, Kevin Ball chased a loose ball down the right and delivered a fine cross to Papadopoulos, whose cushioned header fell precisely to Moore, and the Burnley man crashed home his hat-trick from close range. Another good finish to another fluent team move. Ball was named Man of the Match, much to Moore’s obvious disbelief. Ball did play well though, in his usual robust manner. Tim commented that, much like a defender in American Football, Ball doesn’t so much focus on the ball as the man. His effectiveness lies in leaning, shoving and generally bossing the patch, leaving the football to the likes of Grant and Weller. Whatever the merits or otherwise of this role, he did it well today. But it was Ian Moore’s day, no doubt.
On the whole, a very solid performance indeed for the Clarets. Not so long ago we would have quaked at the prospect of a leading non-league club at the Turf in the Cup, but Stan has got them in superb physical condition, solid in most departments and brimming with a self-belief that ensures team discipline. Burnley can look forward to an FA Cup campaign in which they should see off most opposition from the lower leagues. The fourth round draw, away to Third Division Cheltenham Town, will see all Clarets quietly confident about further progress in this year’s competition.
There is a footnote to this report, and it concerns an initiative which we hope to repeat in future games at Turf Moor.
Some London Clarets made arrangements to accompany a group of Asian Burnley fans to the game.
And they represented just a few of many in Burnley’s Asian communities who follow the Clarets keenly, but from a
distance. We had a great day, meeting beforehand for a chat over a cup of tea, and then walking to the Turf and
enjoying what was an entertaining game. If anyone would like to help in making this initiative grow and become a
regular match day gathering, please get in touch with any London Clarets committee member.
Scorers: Little (22), I Moore (43, 77, 84) / Boylan (67).
Attendance: 11,496.
Referee: D Pugh of the Wirral.
Phil's Man of the Match: Ian Moore.
