Clarets dish up repeat cup dose

Photo: TOM PICKLES

Chris Taylor battles for possession. Pictures by TOM PICKLES.

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Burnley 3, Athletic 0

AS though it wasn’t coincidence enough to draw the same team, at the same venue, in the same round of the same competition, even the outcome was a replica of last year.

And Athletic’s second consecutive loss to Burnley in round two of the Carling Cup bore a striking resemblance to their game 12 months ago.

John Sheridan’s side played some half-decent football, but they lacked the penetrative edge to trouble a strong back four.

Burnley were able to pick off their League One visitors and, with the aid of Athletic’s defensive lapses, ensure an extra touch of attacking class made all the difference.

After winning three out of three in the league and beating Rochdale on penalties to earn this tie, Athletic could have few complaints about their first defeat of the season – but to lose 3-0 against Burnley is no cause for alarm.

Sheridan felt an understandable need to shake up his team, and there’s nothing to suggest normal service won’t be resumed in the game at Colchester on Saturday.

Last night’s side was vastly changed from the weekend hammering of Cheltenham as Mark Crossley, Sean Gregan, Andy Liddell and the strike duo of Lee Hughes and Lewis Alessandra were all left out.

Called into the starting XI were Greg Fleming – a debut for the ‘keeper – Stefan Stam, Kevin Maher, Deane Smalley and Chris O’Grady, with Sheridan fulfilling his pledge to make use of a big squad.

It was a calculated gamble, especially away from home against higher-division opponents, but Athletic rarely threatened to claim a notable cup scalp.

They conceded early, had problems containing the hosts and, in truth, ended up being beaten quite comprehensively.

Burnley have made a poor start to the league campaign, but they possess the sort of quality to which Athletic must aspire if they want to reach the Championship.

And seeing the manner of Burnley’s football in the opening stages, as they moved the ball at pace and almost always had a man to spare, it was hard to believe their struggle will go on for too long.

Athletic gradually came to terms with the Clarets’ 4-5-1 – a system they operated themselves for the most part – but those occasional defensive errors invited bother.

At the other end too many good crossing positions were wasted, scuppering the hard work which had earned them in the first place.

Fleming, who was blameless for any of Burnley’s goals, soon found himself in the thick of it as he raced off his line to dive at the feet of £1million striker Martin Paterson.

Chris McCann sent the next shot over, but Burnley took a 12th-minute lead with a superb goal which saw them transfer the ball from their own half into Athletic’s net in three precise movements.

Ex-Manchester United man Chris Eagles set them on their way, teasing his 50-yard pass over Kelvin Lomax’s head and giving Wade Elliott a chance to cross.

Elliott’s right-wing delivery found McCann, who managed to twist his body and head beyond the stranded Fleming from eight yards – an impressive strike all round.

Athletic were under the cosh, but they gained a measure of control before O’Grady sent two efforts wide from awkward positions.

And they were a fraction away from equalising after 26 minutes when Reuben Hazell threw himself at Maher’s free-kick and, needing only the slightest of touches, couldn’t quite reach it with his head.

That said, Burnley remained the more dangerous side and McCann could have doubled their lead after running into space 16 yards out.

Danny Whitaker volleyed off target for Athletic, but they needed to raise their tempo after the break.

Sheridan’s men did enjoy early possession, but openings were not forthcoming and O’Grady looked as though he would benefit from more support through the middle.

Ironically, all of the attacking options in a seven-man list of substitutes were warming up when Athletic fell 2-0 behind.

Eagles, a real talent in the Burnley midfield, weaved his way into Athletic’s penalty area and released a low shot which Fleming parried.

There was little else Fleming could do at full stretch, but Paterson was on hand to tap in the rebound.

Sheridan responded with three changes, including a debut in midfield for Kieran Lee, and Burnley almost handed his team a lifeline when Gary Caldwell’s miscued clearance was well kept out by Brian Jensen.

The ‘keeper also produced a sharp near-post save as Alessandra turned and shot from close range, very nearly using his first touch to score.

All hope, however, was extinguished 10 minutes from time when Athletic failed to deal with a booming goal-kick and Paterson seized on the loose ball from 10 yards.

Athletic’s best chance fell to Hughes, but Jensen denied the striker a consolation goal to go with his hat-trick in the league on Saturday.