Burnley 1 Derby 0
Golden Graham
The statistics said...
We beat Derby County 1-0 at the Turf, taking us a giant step closer to safety. The goal was scored by man-of-the-moment Graham Branch in the 42nd minute. This was Branchy's second goal in two games, not bad considering he's only playing up front because Ian Moore is injured!
The result leaves us in 17th place, with 53 points. Although we're not mathematically safe (we need another point to be absolutely sure, because Walsall, who currently occupy the third relegation spot, could still overtake us), the win was extremely important.
Of course, our gain was Derby's loss, and the Rams are now one place (and one point) above Walsall. We wish them luck in their remaining two games.
Our survey said...
Jules:
The result was all-important, and this was an amazing game under such pressure. The goal was top-drawer, and I am still in shock after Branch scored again! I am very grateful to the Derby keeper for diving over the ball! There was fight in the side, and a will to win. This has been missing lately. Chappy and Lenny were tenacious in midfield. All we need now is Walsall to drop points at Palace, and we are safe.
Becko:
I thought we played alright today. Jensen had a good game, and Branch was the unlikely hero.
Woody:
A crucial win, which means we should stay up. Branchy took his chance well. If we can avoid defeat at Rotherham next week, we can start looking forwards rather than back. It's been a very hard season.
Editor's note: sorry, no picture today. Understandably (see below), Woody was too tired to think of one!
Paddy:
I'm just glad that Derby's centre-forward was a bit of a donkey, because if he'd taken his chances the scoreline could have been very different. But hey - who cares? We got the only goal, we got the three points, and (barring an unlikely set of results) we'll be playing Division One football next season. Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!
Tim:
If they'd played like that all season they wouldn't have been in the position they found themselves. The players showed they really wanted it. They certainly don't deserve to go down if Derby don't go down, because Derby got progressively worse. Finally, Branchy for England!
Firmo:
The team played with great attitude and commitment. At this stage of the season it's all about fight. We got it spot-on today, and if we'd played like that all season we would have been comfortable weeks ago.
Several players produced big performances - perhaps even best performances, including Camara and Weller (who, in particular, was outstanding). May also showed the value of his experience.
So, that's it. We will not now go down. We are safe. 53 points is certainly going to be enough.
Alas, what should have been our staying-up party was ruined by yet another transport shambles, which resulted in me getting home at half-past two in the morning - eight and a half hours after we had left Burnley. The lack of organisation GNER showed was a joke. The attitude of the staff at Leeds City Station is appalling. They could only respond to complaints and enquiries with demands that you leave their office and threats to call the police. Every single person who works at Leeds City Station should be sacked. The culture there is one of absolute contempt and arrogance. But quote of the day came at King's Cross station at 1.30 in the morning. When, as we were waiting for GNER to find us some taxis to go home in, I was told by one National Rail employee: "Burnley? I don't know why you don't all go by car". Ah well, it was worse for the Derby fans who travelled with us. At least we had those luscious 53 points to comfort us.
Hozzo:
A splendid result. Hopefully we can now look forward to another season in Division One. We need to keep two of the following: Blake, Little, Chaplow. Otherwise it'll be the same again next year.
Pic of the day
Some might claim that Burnley won because they played well, but we know that the real reason was the little rituals we all performed.
On that note, behold our Travel Secretary: in his lucky yellow shirt, and sporting Whitto's lucky badge. (You can't see the badge very well, but it's that tiny blob in the middle of his chest. Brent couldn't attend the game, so asked Paddy to wear the badge in his absence.)
Superstitious? Us? Well... suffice it to say that the shirt and the badge will both be going to Rotherham!
As with all articles on the site, the views expressed in the vox pop section are those of the individual contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Burnley FC London Supporters' Club.
