Dog day afternoon
Burnley 3 Colchester 1, 5th April
1999
Tim Quelch
At
half time a suitably sheepish youth slouched around the pitch in the new home kit. He
didn’t venture too near the crowd. In fact, he looked as if he expected a beating.
Since the current kit is only a year old, he probably knew how much the Club was pushing
their luck, especially with so many parents and children present. He probably didn’t
think that Adidas’ supply problems gave much of an excuse. But his appearance was
well timed. He followed the dogs. The crowd was obviously too perplexed by this weird
canine display to give him the hard time he was anticipating.
Imagine if you can a line of leashed Afghan
hounds, each dressed in what appeared to be a bridal outfit, led by a guy with a flag.
Apparently, they were called ‘Swanky pets’. I’ll leave you to identify the
redundant consonant. In fairness, they had some symbolic value. For by the interval
Burnley threatened to become as pointless as them.
It wasn’t as if Burnley played badly in the
first half. If games were won by what is produced in the middle third of the field,
Burnley would have had a comfortable half time lead. Mellon and Johnrose were industrious
and probing, Little, Pickering and Cowan provided excellent flank service and Cook spread
the play with masterly aplomb. Unfortunately, their fluent approach work did little to
threaten the Colchester goal. Cowan, Johnrose and Davis all managed on target headers but
each one was held easily by the unruffled Colchester keeper, Carl Emberson. OK, Emberson
was fortunate that Payton stabbed Little’s pin - point cross directly at him. But
apart from that and ‘Grizzly’ Aspinall’s scrambled goal-line clearance from
Johnrose, little else disturbed Colchester’s composed and well - organised defence.
Although the visitors’ tactics were quite cautious, when they did venture forward
they looked capable, especially their new starlet Comana Tresor Lua Lua, who twisted and
turned menacingly. They were assisted by Burnley’s defenders, who remain indecisive
under pressure. Crichton, Davis and Brass made a right horlicks of one low cross, early in
the game, which Crichton belatedly and inadequately dealt with. Fortunately, no Colchester
forward was near at hand to put away the loose ball.
Colchester went ahead after 27 minutes against
the run of play. Brass had just sustained a head injury in an aerial clash, but before the
referee could halt play, Lua Lua set up fellow midfielder David Gregory, who curled the
ball into the top right corner from around twenty yards. It was an exquisitely executed
goal, which left Crichton with no chance. Burnley continued to press but the tall
Colchester centre backs had little difficulty with the Clarets’ oblique high crosses.
Burnley’s flowing passing may be attractive to watch but they need to reach the
by-line more often and provide better quality and earlier crosses when they get there.
Brass was sent to hospital at half time for a
precautionary examination. Branch replaced him and immediately showed how good he can be
in a wide left position. I was beginning to believe that his display at Bristol was just a
one off. He proceeded to race by Colchester’s right back as if his opponent was
advertising John Smith’s Bitter. Immediately, Colchester’s defence became
stretched as Branch regularly found the by – line. Unfortunately, Burnley were not
getting enough men into the box to make the pressure tell; a long-standing problem. Payton
did manage to wriggle free of his markers to put him one – on – one with
Emberson but the Colchester keeper blocked Payton’s early shot with his legs. Payton
normally puts chances away like these with ease. It just seemed to confirm our pessimistic
forecast.
However, the game turned in the 54th
minute. Lua Lua kicked at Cook and was rightly dismissed. Colchester responded by
attempting to defend in depth, conceding all the play to Burnley. This was a grave
tactical error, as Burnley were then able to press forward en mass with little fear of
reprisal. Within three minutes of Lua Lua’s dismissal, Burnley were level. Pickering
cut inside the penalty area, after Little had dragged two defenders out of his path.
Emberson parried his fierce left foot drive but the ball looped up for Johnrose to head in
at the far post. But even then, it was uncertain whether Burnley would grasp all three
points, despite their incessant attacking. Jepson made the difference.
Payton looks lost as a solitary centre forward.
Even when Ternent has played Branch or Little in central attacking roles, they usually
take up positions too far removed from Payton. In any event Payton plays better with a
target man. I know Stan has been short of options after Cooke’s enforced absence. I
can also understand his caution after the City fiasco. He has consistently played five at
the back since. But if our midfielders can’t get into the box quickly enough, there
are too few attacking options. Payton can do little on his own. No wonder he dried up in
recent months. As if to prove the point, Jepson’s introduction enabled Payton to win
the game. First, Jepson knocked down a cross for Payton to swivel expertly and fire past
Emberson’s right hand. Then, in injury time Jepson’s skill at holding the ball
up in the area enabled Branch to find space on the right. This time Branch didn’t
waste the opportunity by over – elaborating. He quickly found the by – line and
delivered a swift low cross that Payton converted from point blank range.
This was an important win. Burnley have created
a little daylight and dragged a couple of other clubs into the mire, Colchester being one
of them. However, if they are to survive, they will have to defend much, much better.
Fortunately, Colchester didn’t apply much pressure today. But don’t rule out
another drubbing. Lowly Macclesfield exposed their defensive limitations even with five at
the back. What’s more, Burnley will need to gain most of their remaining points away
from home. Most of the other relegation candidates have at least two more home fixtures
than Burnley. The good news is that the Clarets are playing more like a team; a team much
more determined and likely to triumph in adversity. In three out of the last four games,
they’ve fought back to gain points when in arrears. The signings of Cook and Cowan
have been crucial here. Stan deserves credit for these acquisitions and for galvanising
the team into a competitive outfit once again. After City, I had not thought this
possible. Pickering, Brass and Mellon have become transformed. I thought Pickering was
quite outstanding today and Mellon has blossomed with Cook’s prompting. We can only
hope than Stan can hang onto Cook, at least until the end of the season. Survival is still
going to be touch or go. But at least there is more reason for hope. Driving back on the
crowded M6, I was quite prepared to leave the anxious ‘what ifs’ for another
day. This day was simply to be enjoyed. Perhaps, ‘Swanky pets’ do have a valid
role, after all. But how about some fetching S & M gear for the next game?
‘Spanky pets’ anyone?
Team:
Crichton, Pickering (Jepson 75), Cowan, Mellon, Davis, Brass (Branch 46), Little,
Armstrong, Cook (Reid 88), Payton, Johnrose.
Links - Firmo's report plus the away game
