Green
Around The Gills 0 Super Fantastic
Clarets 3, Monday 25th August
2003
Unbelievable
The statistics said...
We
won 3-0 away at Gillingham. That's right:
we won 3-0 away at Gillingham. Yes, for the first
time
since
1984,
WE WON AWAY AT GILLINGHAM!
Our
first goal came in the 27th minute when Ian Moore
won the ball on the left touchline, powered into
the penalty area and coolly slotted the ball
past Gills keeper Jason Brown. Three minutes
later we
were
2-0 up - this time, Luke Chadwick set up Dean West
for an excellent left-footed shot from around 15
yards out. Robbie Blake made sure of the
points in the 77th minute with a low shot from
the edge of the area.
Our survey said...
John:
The first time I've seen us win in eight visits! Do
I buy a bear if we win away from home?
:
I thought that Gillingham were very poor. The key
to the game was that we made every single second
ball. We worked really hard, and took our chances.
We were able to get the ball to the players who
caused real problems - Little, Chadwick, Ian
Moore and Blake all had great games.
Thankfully,
we were able to keep the ball away from the defence
sufficiently and not expose their deficiencies. If Branch
is a
central
defender,
then I
am The Nawab of Pataudi.
Michael:
It was a result that's been coming, in that our attacking
potential overwhelmed Gillingham, who came up against
an unusually robust defence and anyway were basically
inept.
Dermot:
After Saturday, it was a total transformation, especially
considering that the side was the same one that
started against Wigan.We
played well - and showed a lot of character,
which I felt had been lacking in the previous three
games - resulting in a deserved win.
One
point I would like to make: the trainer came on
three times for Gillingham and twice for us. On
each occasion, our player was ordered to leave
the pitch, but their players weren't. What are
the rules?
*
Editor's note: please see below for an update on this issue.
Danny:
It was my first game of the season, and after years
of thinking that our record at Gillingham must
change, I came here today not expecting very
much at all.
However,
I saw the Burnley team play football on the ground,
keep a clean sheet and score goals. I'm very pleased.
More, thank you.
Chris:
I feel we played very well, and it could - and should
- have been more. All the team played well, apart
from Paul Weller. A good performance.
Kevin:
Unbelievable! Mine's a pint!
Firmo:
Bloody hell! Every time I think I know what to expect
from Burnley, they surprise me. This was so different
to Saturday it was hard to believe it was the same
players. A special mention for Little, who was
excellent.
I'm
not sure how to react to winning at Gillingham
after so many fruitless visits to the Priestfield,
but I think I shall be drinking heavily tonight.
Nic:
It was my first game of the season, and I really don't
know what all the whinging's been about! I thought
we were great, and was very pleased to discover
that The Beast actually has two hands.
Lee:
The season's arrived - we were fantastic. Sod it.
Every single one of them was a hero, especially
Graham
Branch. At half time, he was the only player who
acknowledged the Burnley supporters. It's a launch
pad for Division One domination. Gillingham fans
are
very nice.
I'm
never coming here ever again - it will never be
as good. Paddy is not allowed to drink before a
Burnley game again. Anybody buying him a drink
is a traitor to the Burnley cause.
Editor's
note: various theories were put forward as to why
we won. Was victory due to Paddy
not drinking before the game? Or maybe it was
because Joe from Malta was present, or because
Pat wore shorts? Of course, it may have
been just because the team played better, but
that's too obvious, surely?
Quotes
of the day
A
few gems from London Claret mouths:
• Firmo (at half time): I keep thinking
this is a dream. In a minute, Nic will wake
me
up and tell me it's time to get ready to go to
Gillingham.
• George
Wood (by telephone to Kevin, when we were 2-0 up,
concerned):
Surely we can't lose this one?
• Jules (loudly): Westie, nooooo! The linesman
doesn't play for us!
• Woody (after the game, before
a twenty-minute trek):
The
next pub's only just round the corner.
• Pauline (to Pete): So, how many contestants
are there in "Fifteen to One"?
Pic
of the day #1
Warning:
some viewers may find this image disturbing. Do
not proceed if you have recently eaten a heavy meal
or are of a nervous disposition.
When
Pauline and Paddy parked their car before the
game, they were horrified to see this just a
few feet ahead of them:
Three
grinning loons subsequently emerged from the vehicle,
unable to contain their
mirth
as Pauline (in Burnley shirt) pointed at the
sticker. They set off
towards the ground, still chuckling
away as they anticipated their adopted team
giving the Clarets a good stuffing.
Ah
- how different it was a few hours later. Not only
had Burnley won 3-0, but Bastards had lost 3-2
at home to Manchester City! We hope the intrepid
trio had a pleasant evening, and look forward to
seeing them at another Burnley game soon.
(As
an aside, we've now seen Bastards fans at Burnley
games in Bournemouth, Norwich and Gillingham. Do
any of them actually bother going to watch their
own team?)
Pic
of the day #2
This
one speaks for itself.
Should
he stay or should he go?
After
the match, we were all complaining about this perceived
inequality of treatment
(no pun
intended). However, Katherine actually did something
about it, and wrote to the Football League.
Amazingly,
she got a reply, saying that:
"...I
can confirm that you are correct in your
interpretation that all players except for the
goalkeeper must leave the
field of play for treatment."
Even
better, the reply also said that the issue
would be referred to the relevant section of
the Premier League,
as the referee, Mark Halsey, is
a Select
Group
Referee (whatever that is).
Hats
off to Katherine for taking the time to follow
this up. Let's hope that it has some effect, even
if it's only to keep Mr Halsey, and any other refs
who selectively apply the rules of the game, on
their toes.
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 view of the Burnley FC London Supporters Club.
