Reserves Go Down Again

By Longsider
November 13 2003

The reserve team suffered another defeat at the hands of Sheffield United yesterday. They were soundly beaten 4-3 at Saltergate, home of Chesterfield, with a couple of late goals making the scoreline more respectable.

The Burnley team had a bit more experience in the side than normal with Roche, May, McGregor and Little all featuring in the game along with the seasoned youngsters of O'Neill and Pilkington. Burnley also gave a game to Australian trialist Dave Carney who plays on the left side of midfield.

The team started brightly with a couple of half chances and Matty O'Neill looking particularly bright however it was the Blades who scored first, through Danny Wood, in the 23rd minute. They then doubled their lead 10 minutes later with Ian Ross scoring from 25 yards out with the Clarets in trouble it was left to Glen Little to work some magic on the right hand side before crossing over for O'Neill to finish giving the Clarets some hope for the second half.

This was the last action for Little and May who were both taken off with Saturday in mind.

It didn't take long for United to restore their two goal cushion, 7 minutes infact, through Parkinson and then the 'Chief' Wayne Allison made 4 shortly afterwards. Burnley did at this stage manage to play some decent football and they were rewarded 10 minutes from time when O'Neill got his second of the game with a diving header. Deep in injury time the Clarets got a third when Carney got a goal from close range.

The positives to come from the game would be the fact that Roche and McGregor both got through 90 minutes with May and Little making 45 before being taken off with this Saturday in mind.

The downside is the amount of goals the side has now conceded in the league this season. With the side hitting the 30 mark having played just 8 games.

The Burnley side:
Hale, Roche, McGregor, May(Townsend 45), Pitham, Pugh, Pilkington, Carney, Ince (Avery 72), Little (Taylor 45), O'Neill.