Not sure that I am all that keen on Friday night
football, particularly risking the delays inherent in a drive North on a Friday afternoon,
but if this is the fare on offer then so be it. The crowd was, I suppose, reasonable, but
given the possibility of topping the league with a win, I would have expected more.
Bournemouth brought possibly fifty supporters up to the Turf, some dodgy away form and a
back four of some renown lead by the evergreen Mark Stein up front.
The Clarets lineup was much as Bristol Rovers, ex Smith for Cowan
and the return of the Legend for Brass. After his performance at Bristol, Brassy must
wonder what he has to do to keep a place in the team. He would have been ideal for man
marking Stein. As it happened, the Legend did not look fully fit to me, particularly late
on in the game, but then he scored the winner, so what do I know?
Burnley started slowly, and Bournemouth looked their usual solid
self but gradually Mellon and Cook began to pull the strings in midfield. Payton went
close with a header from a West cross and a Mellon drive was just wide, before on 38
minutes Payton broke through, feeding Little on the wing in acres of space. The cross
found an unmarked Branch in the six yard box, who stooped to head home. Joy unconfined,
particularly for the scorer, who is not everybody’s cup of Bovril. Unfortunately
Bournemouth went straight upfield from the kick off for Mean to centre over Thomas’s
head for the inevitable Stein to score. Debatable hand ball. Didn’t actually see it
along with probably 75% of the Claret faithful, as I was still celebrating. Total
breakdown in concentration from Claret team, crowd and match reporter.
Half time, instead of dogs in tutus, junior gym clubs or brass
bands brought Messrs. Comstive and O’Connell from the old days. Wonder what they
think of the old club now?
Burnley started the half off brightly, with Cook prompting Little
down the right, until we deservedly took the lead in the 63rd minute. Cook
whipped in a deep free kick to the back post where Davis headed back across the goal into
the far corner. Stan then decided to pull the boys back to keep the lead, defending on the
edge of the box, obviously giving an opportunity for Bournemouth to shoot from distance,
which they did to little effect.. Little effect was also the Clarets' main chance of
scoring, as ‘not fit to lace Waddle’s boots’ starred, along with Payton
working hard up front. The defence, especially Thomas, held firm and Cook came off for a
deserved rest after a particularly successful second half. Crichton bravely saved from
Betsy late on.
So three points and top of the league until the morrow. Great
result against one of the better teams in the division. Quite a few celebratory Sparrow
Hawk pints followed to commemorate the new lofty status, and to contemplate the warm glow
of the teletext and newspaper tables tomorrow. One defeat in sixteen is not quite as good
as unbeaten in sixteen, but it will do. Storming game from Little, confident at last,
followed by Mellon, Cook (2nd half) and Payton did the trick. Even Branch was
OK. Bring on Preston.
Team: Admirable, West,
Davis, Thomas, Smith (Cowan 65), Armstrong, Little, Mellon, Cook (Jepson 88), Branch
(Johnrose), Payton. Subs not used: Brass and Robertson.
Referee: S J Baines
Crowd: 10,223
