Clarets shaken by second half
revival
Chesterfield 1 Burnley 1, 15
January 2000
Tim Quelch
Needlessly, we were told not to expect too much. As if we would? The
pundits had pointed out that Chesterfield’s fortunes were changing after a run of
twenty-one matches without a win. They had beaten Brentford last Saturday with a last
minute goal from David Reeves. This had been their first three-point haul since defeating
Preston at Deepdale on September 4th. The Spirerites had also crushed current
Third Division leaders Rotherham 4-1 at Millmoor in midweek in the Auto-Squeegy thing. It
was said that the team had smartened up their act. They now wore suits and ties to games
rather than tracksuits.
However, the Spirerite fanzine suggested that with the club in crisis,
little could be expected on the playing front. After reading club chairman Norton
Lea’s reply to the fanzine’s editor, I could see the locals’ point of view.
Lea wrote, "As you say, the investment in our players has been high compared to many
other clubs. Good players come and we develop them into mediocre run-of-the-mill
journeymen. My personal view is we don’t train hard or long enough. Obvious
difficulties we see on the field never seem to be rectified and we seem to be still living
on a cup success… Believe me, I have suggested bringing in a new coach with modern
up-to-date practices but the management rejected the idea."
This incredible statement gave me comfort (and to think I once criticised
Stan for distancing himself from his team!). I wondered how secure any of the Chesterfield
playing or coaching staff could feel in the face of this public indictment? I thought that
if we could manage an early goal (something we hadn’t done for ages),
Chesterfield’s morale could crumble.
Well, it all went to plan. As early as the fourth minute, Little and West
linked brilliantly in a sharp break along the right flank. West curled in a sharp cross
from the by-line for Payton to head in at the near post. We then proceeded to control the
game up until the break. Sure, Chesterfield had the greater possession, but despite
Armstrong struggling for height against the taller Reeves and Wilkinson, our defence was
generally assured. Thomas was again hugely effective, and with Johnrose and Weller
harrying effectively in midfield, the home side was frequently hurried into errors. The
Spirerites’ best opportunity came from a free kick on the left, which Blatherwick
headed narrowly wide of Crichton’s right-hand post. On the other hand, Burnley always
looked dangerous on the break, particularly when Little combined with West. From one such
raid, Little supplied Cooke with a free header at the far post, but Cooke’s effort
was scrambled away for a corner. On another occasion, Little wriggled free of several
defenders but was thwarted at the by-line just as he threatened to provide the killer
pass. In my mind, we deserved to be ahead at the interval, although I was concerned that
we had again spurned chances to increase that lead.
After half time, it was a very different story. Chesterfield pushed up,
forcing us to defend more deeply. They challenged and competed for everything, snarling
and snapping at our heels, forcing us into mistakes and hurried clearances. First, Reeves
threatened down the middle but was thwarted by a last ditch tackle. Encouraged by the
re-invigorated home crowd, Chestefield turned up the heat and Burnley’s defending
became increasingly frantic. Their first half composure disintegrated. Brass replaced
Armstrong on 52 minutes but struggled badly, mistiming tackles and falling in critical
situations. Cowans looked less effective, too, during this second half bombardment. I
understand now why Stan has preferred Armstrong in this position. Weller also became more
anonymous as Chesterfield swarmed forward. Only Johnrose and Thomas impressed at the back,
although I thought Crichton had an exceptionally solid game in goal. In fact, Crichton was
the best source of our attacking options in that second half. Thanks to his long kicking,
Little and Payton were given opportunities to lift the siege, but Payton was denied by a
superb tackle by Blatherwick and Little’s drive was well handled by Muggleton.
With Burnley forced so deep, Little seemed compelled to take on increasing
odds single-handedly. This might have proved effective if his crossing quality had been
better, but too often he fails to clear his first opponent.
After going perilously close on two earlier occasions, Chesterfield gained
the equaliser they deserved in the 74th minute. A left wing cross was not
cleared properly and the ball bounced out to little midfielder Ryan Williams, who struck
in a fierce volley from around twenty yards. Crichton had no chance.
Chesterfield’s equaliser came shortly after Branch had replaced Andy
Cooke. This was a good move as Branch began to worry the home defenders with his pace.
Unfortunately, he tarnished his good work by squandering an easy finish after he and
Payton had opened up the Chesterfield rearguard with a superb exchange of passes. Both
sides then went for the three points but it was Chesterfield who came closest to achieving
this when Williams hooked a shot narrowly wide.
In the end, Burnley deserved no more than they got. What is obvious is
that Burnley does not appear to have great strength in depth. Of the ‘reserves’
playing today only Johnrose deserved to keep his place, although Weller did well in the
first half. Cooke is not contributing as much as he did, either. Certainly, he is working
hard as a target man but he is not making his presence felt in the box. I wondered whether
he and Payton play too far apart. I still feel we are not getting enough men into the box
and our quality of crossing needs improvement. It needs to be quicker and more accurate.
Perhaps then Cooke might get on the end of something. At the moment we are too reliant on
Payton. Finally, ex-pariah Blatherwick played superbly!
Team: Crichton, West, Cowans,
Armstong (Brass 52), Thomas, Johnrose, Little, Cook, Cooke (Branch 70), Payton, Weller
(Jepson 80). Subs not used: Smith and Swan.
London Clarets Man
of the Match: Mitchell Thomas.
Links -
More from this match, the home match
and this match last season
