A game of one half
Chesterfield 1 Burnley 1, 15
January 2000
Julian Booth
The day began with its usual brisk beer-quaffing pace and by 2
o’clock even Mr Benyon was full, leaving little room for those last few pints. The
pre-match pool contest was well and truly lost by a Tottenham fan who must have caught the
wrong train. He goes by the name of "SMIFFY", anyone know him?
Less of the small talk and on with the day's festivities. Burnley came out
of the blocks at quite a pace with some fluent attacking football. This was soon
capitalised upon when Little beat his man and flicked the ball wide to West, whose
pinpoint cross was headed home by Payton. With the score at 1-0 and only 4 minutes gone an
air of optimism swept across the terrace only punctuated by some annoying Chesterfield
fans who had decided not to watch the game (probably a good idea!). But we were enjoying
Burnley’s football for a change.
Chesterfield started to come back into the game: firstly a Tom Curtis free
kick that was calmly caught by Crichton, and a Beaumont shot that was charged down by
Armstrong. This resurgence was brief, Burnley looking well in control and unlikely to
surrender their lead. The chances were there but the Clarets could not take them, Cooke
having two shots blocked midway through the half, when he should have done better with
both. Payton was booked on 37 minutes after a theatrical fall by Curtis, whose free kick
was headed well wide by Reeves. Then as we were all looking forward to that halftime cuppa
came a potential turning point in the game. Little burst into the area from the right wing
and went crashing down en route to goal, did he fall or was he pushed? Mr Wilkie waved
play on and the half ended shortly afterwards, with Crichton making a confident punch to
clear his area.
The teams trudged off only for Burnley not to return in the second half,
but a team of look-alikes who couldn’t be bothered. Stan seemed to realise this early
in the half and replaced the only player who looked comfortable, Gordon Armstrong
(apparently he was injured) with a player I thought was Brass but played more like me!
Chesterfield grew in confidence and began to spray the ball around,
increasing the pressure on the Burnley goal. Our previous optimism had now gone to be
replaced with a fear of impending doom. Ryan Williams, the on-loan winger, wasted a good
chance, but he looked more and more dangerous as Burnley’s defence just backed away
from him in terror. There was no threat on the opposition goal, even Little’s shot
was easily saved. The Clarets seemed to be hanging on to that fourth minute goal and not
trying for the second goal to kill off this weak Chesterfield team. Cooke was replaced by
Branch in a vain attempt to give them some impetus. Two minutes later it arrived, the
equaliser we all knew was coming. Williams cut in from the wing and he curled a brilliant
left foot shot into the top corner, giving Crichton no chance.
The panic set in as Burnley realised they could lose and some desperate
defending was needed to keep out an inspired Chesterfield side. Crichton saved well from
Reeves and the follow-up was headed off the line by West, crosses and shots rained in on
the Burnley penalty area as the home side looked for the three points. The clock ticked
slower and the minutes grew longer; three minutes of added time passed before the final
whistle blew releasing us from our torture. Burnley walked off unapplauded by a following
of over 2,000 disappointed supporters. The game has to be seen as two points dropped to a
very weak, soon to be relegated Chesterfield team.
Team: Crichton, West, Cowans,
Armstong (Brass 52), Thomas, Johnrose, Little, Cook, Cooke (Branch 70), Payton, Weller
(Jepson 80). Subs not used: Smith and Swan.
Links -
More from this match, the home match
and this match last season
