A Wolf Amongst Wolves
Wolves 2 Burnley 0
Report by Becko
OK, we're out of the Cup. No real surprise - when was the last time we scored at Molineux? Looking back now, I can't help thinking that if we'd been a bit more incisive in front of goal, and a bit more decisive at the back, maybe we'd have won.
There's no doubt we should have been in front at half time, but a combination of poor finishing and good saves kept us out. Wolves caught us a couple of times - well, Branch's not a centre half, is he? - but it was the Wolves who were happier to hear the half time whistle.
Stan named four subs. Realistically, Pilkington and O'Neill are only there to make up the numbers, though. Grant came in for Weller, and the returning Little replaced the injured Chadwick. Fortunately we were playing in claret and blue shirts, although I noticed that the Beast was wearing a Wolves keeper's shirt of lime green. Obviously we didn't know what colours the home team wore when Jensen's orange shirt was packed. Hmm.
Little was clearly champing at the bit after less than half an hour's Premiership football in the past two months. He looked comfortable on the ball, and raring to go. Blake put in a couple of shots from outside the box, which didn't trouble the impressive Oakes in the home goal. Moore tried an overhead kick, which brought out a fine save from the keeper. Facey should have done better with a close-range header, and on the stroke of half time, after a flowing move, Moore shot tamely at Oakes. Chaplow and Grant were running the midfield, but we needed to score before the break. We didn't, and you just wondered whether we'd lost our chance. We have to score three goals to win, because there's always the chance we'll concede, no matter how well we attack.
Three minutes into the second half, and we did give away a goal. Yes, another soft one. West slipped, and let in the extremely quick Henri Camara. Marking in the Burnley box was non-existent, and Miller scored. We played some good stuff, without putting Wolves under too much pressure, until Facey used his strength down the left to play Blake in. His first-time shot cannoned off Oakes' legs - it wasn't going to be our night. This proved to be the case, when, nine minutes from time, poor marking by the Burnley defence resulted in a free header for Craddock, and that was that.
Mo Camara was made captain for the night, and he had a good game; as did Arthur at the centre of defence. The sooner May is back to play alongside him, the better. Chaplow gets better and better, and it was good to see Glen back; but Man of the Match for me was Ian Moore.
Burnley:
| | Jen | sen | |
| West | Gnohere | Branch | Camara |
| Little | Grant | Chaplow | Ian Moore |
| | Blake | Facey | |
Subs: Farrelly for Chaplow (61), Roche for West (62). Not used: Pilkington, O'Neill.
Scorers: (Wolves) Miller 48, Craddock 81.
Referee: C J Foy (St Helens).
Attendance: 18,548.
Becko's Man of the Match: Ian Moore.
As with all articles on the site, the views expressed in the match reports section are those of the individual contributor, and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Burnley FC London Supporters' Club.
