Accrington Stanley got their pre-season campaign off to a resonable start despite losing to burnley.
The Stanley used two 'keepers, one in each half, with Danny Alcock being replaced by Scott Tynan at half time. This was one of 8 substitutions made by the Reds, despite a new FIFA ruling only allowing 6 per game for each team. Burnley also exeded this amount, using 7 subs in total.
Paul Mullin was missing from the squad for Stanley while Rory Prendergast was replaced by new signing Paul Carvill after just 20 minutes. And Stanley can feel unlucky to be on the losing side with the Reds fully deserving to come out of the game with a little more pride with only a magnificent display from Burnley's goalkeeper Brian 'The Beast' Jensen stopping John Coleman's men scoring more than they did.
The teams went in at the break without a goal between them and at half time Scott Tynan came on in goal, Paul Howarth replacing Cavanagh, Steve Hollis coming on for Howson, Jon Smith replacing Robbie Williams and Ged Brannan went off for Andy Proctor. For the Clarets John McGreal was replaced by Ryan Townsend.
It was the Clarets who struck first when Accrington born Matty O'Neill's shot was deflected into the path of Ian Moore who cooly shot into the bottom corner. Moore was then substituted along with four more Burnley players. The Clarets then brought on new player/coach Mark Yates.
The Clarets soon made it 2-0 with impressive youngster Matty O'Neill again involved as he skipped round three Stanley challenges before knocking the ball back tio Mark Yates who, just had he had done when he made his first appearence in a previous spell with the Clarets, scored on his debut. The game was now all but wrapped up for the Clarets with their fans watching their now young team have most of the possesion.
Ex-Claret Paul Cook restored some pride for the home side when he took advantage of Brian Jensen's only mistake of the game. The linesman's flag went up for offside but Matty O'Neill got i n the way and headed into Cook's path, and as the new rules state, this is not offside. With 'The Beast' stood on the edge of the area getting ready to collect the ball to take the free-kick for the offside he thought his team had been given all Cook had to do was easily chip Jensen ruight in front of the Burnley fans who then gave him a standing ovation.
So Steve Cotterill got his Burnley career off to a winning start and ACCYSTAN.co.uk wishes him and Burnley all the best for the coming season. Here are the teams.
Accrington Stanley:
Danny Alcock (Scott Tynan 45), Peter Cavanagh (Paul Howarth 45), Stewart Howson (Steve Hollis 45), Robbie Williams (Jonathan Smith 45), Ian Hughes, Steve Jagielka (Steve Flitcroft 57), Ged Brannan (Andy Proctor 45), Ian Craney (Paul Cook 55), Lutel James (Damien Hindle 71), Lee McEvilly, Rory Prendergast (Paul Carvill 20).Burnley: Brian Jensen, Lee Roche (Neal Trotman 66), John McGreal (Ryan Townsend 45), Michael Taylor, Mo Camara (Paul Scott 66), Matt O'Neill, Richard Chaplow, Tony Grant (Joel Pilkington 60), Graham Branch (Mark Yates 71), Robbie Blake (Marc Pugh 55), Ian Moore (Alex Taylor 60)