Match Details

Armstrong

Branch (off 75)

Brass

Reports

Crichton Robertson Thomas Armstrong Cowan Branch Johnrose Brass Mellon Lee Little subs West (for Mellon, 50), Jepson (for Lee, 65), Grant (for Branch, 75)

Payton, wisely, wasn't risked so we started with Lee and Little up front and Lee looked pretty sharp, winning his fair share of ball in the air and holding play up quite well. Robertson didn't shine at right wing-back, often leaving acres of space for players like Kennedy to run into. Brass out of position in midfield, probably played there just for the match practice. The first half was even, Burnley looking more ambitious but City looked sharper - their players made better runs and their passing was crisper - when they occasionally moved up a gear they looked more than dangerous. Mellon started really well in midfield. Glenn Little had 3 penalty appeals turned down, the first was a poor dive, the second maybe 50/50 and the third looked like it should have been given - still the ref was closer than me, my eyesite is bad and I have lost my glasses, so who knows? Half time 0-0 and we were treated at the end of the first half to a man in a rubber suit (the City mascot) diving around in the penalty area to the delight of the City fans - Mr Blobby must be the height of alternative comedy for these lads. Second half saw us start quite brightly for 15 minutes or so, after which the players took a breather, space opened up and Man City scored. A hopefull ball to the left of our 6 yard box was looped in over Crichton by Terry Cooke - looked spectacular from the North stand, Stan was on radio Lancs after the game telling us it was a mis-hit cross. We picked up again after that, West came on and looked quite good in midfield going forward and we had a shot cleared off the line. The introduction of Jepson for Lee effectively ended any hope of us scoring. Where Lee had been winning his fair share of headers and distributing the resulting ball, Jepson won nothing - lets face it he looks like the only way he would get above a defender is using a stair lift. Grant was eventually given a run out, but due to Jepson's inability to win the ball, Grant didn't get a touch until 5 minutes from the end. When he did he looked quite sharp and right at the end he tried to chip the keeper from 30 yards - the keeper just tipped it over the bar while frantically back-pedalling. From the resulting corner a scramble in the box we should have scored but City managed to clear. Cue final whistle. Cowan was announced as man of the match - strange decision as he had been so quiet during the game that we initially thought he was on the bench! So, not much to come out of the game either positive or negative. They will have to be better on Saturday.

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