Clarets Win Convincingly

The Clarets progressed to the third round of the Carling Cup with ease last night, inflicting a 3-0 defeat on League One leaders, Oldham Athletic. This was the first defeat this season for the Latics but the Clarets can now look forward to the third round draw on Saturday lunchtime. A draw which will no longer involve seeding and one that will see the big guns from the Premier League in the hat. Let`s hope we get a juicy tie against a top club and one that will see TV interest. More money for the club and every little helps!

Owen Coyle decided to start with the same eleven as the team against Palace, which meant Alexander again playing just in front of the back four in a 4:1:4:1 formation with Paterson alone up front.

Jensen, Duff, Carlisle, Caldwell, Kalvenes, Alexander, Elliott, McCann, K McDonald, Eagles, Paterson

Subs: Penny, Gudjonsson, Akinbiyi, Mahon, Blake, Jordan, Anderson

Oldham gaffer, John Sheridan perhaps surprisingly opted for youth and made a number of changes. As expected he handed out a debut to former Gretna keeper and Scottish U21 International, Greg Fleming in place of veteran Mark Crossley who was named on the bench. Lee Hughes, hat-trick hero against Chelteham in Oldham`s last match was also dropped but named on the bench.

All credit to the Oldham fans, they brought a following of about 1500 fans to Turf Moor contributing to the good atmosphere for this local derby. Referee, Andy Penn from Birmingham got the match underway.

The Clarets were first out of the blocks and after just three minutes Elliott found Paterson with a through ball but his shot hit the side netting.

After 8 minutes McCann shot just over the bar but the midfielder was about to score his first goal of the season four minutes later

Chris Eagles found Wade Elliott with a diagonal pass and his perfect cross was headed past the keeper by Chris McCann to give the Clarets a well deserved one goal lead.

The Clarets nearly doubled that lead two minutes later. Fleming saved well from Kalvenes but McDonald skied his shot high into the Oldham crowd.

Oldham to their credit never gave up running and they came close on 18 minutes but O`Grady`s shot was put just wide after he beat Carlisle on the edge of the area.

McCann after 37 minutes then also shot wide with the keeper advancing after playing a nice one-two with Paterson.

The Latics probably had their best spell in the last ten minutes of the first half but our defence held solid and the Clarets went in 1-0 up at half-time.

No changes were made for the start of the second half and for a time Oldham looked the most likely to score. Time for Coyle to change things round, so on 58 minutes, Gudjonsson replaced McDonald and Blake came on for Duff. The formation was therefore changed too with Alexander slotting in at right back with Blake playing just behind Paterson in 4:4:1:1.

The tactical change worked and five minutes later we were 2-0 up after a delightful run by Eagles. Beating two defenders and running into the box he let rip only to see Fleming save. The ball however rebounded to Paterson who made no mistake.

Oldham again showed their resolve and determination to continue the fight and after 69 minutes Jensen came to the rescue with a great save from Lewis Alessandra. He had just come on from the bench but was denied scoring a goal with his first touch.

It was game over though with 79 minutes on the clock. Paterson got his brace after picking up a long ball, running into the danger zone and coolly slotting the ball into the net with his left foot underneath the diving Fleming.

There was just time for Alan Mahon to come on and play a few minutes after replacing the excellent McCann who was influential all through the match.

A good performance then from the Clarets which should buoy spirits as we return to the League schedule with a home match against Plymouth on Saturday.
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Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Duff (Blake 58), Caldwell, Carlisle, Kalvenes, Elliott, McDonald (Gudjonsson 57), McCann (Mahon 80), Eagles, Paterson.

Subs Not Used: Penny, Akinbiyi, Jordan, Anderson.

Booked: Elliott.

Goals: McCann 12, Paterson 63, 79.

Oldham: Fleming, Eardley, Stam, Hazell, Lomax, Taylor, Allott, Maher (Lee 67), Whitaker, O’Grady (Hughes 67), Smalley (Alessandra 68).

Subs Not Used: Crossley, Kalala, Stephens, Liddell.

Booked: Hazell.

Ref: Andy Penn (W Midlands).