The Clarets last played Scunthorpe United in the 2007-8 season. The Iron had been promoted as Champions from League One in the previous season but it would not be a happy time for them in the Championship. They would finish the season second from bottom and make an instant return to League One.
Burnley in contrast continued in their normal role as mid-table kings during this period finishing thirteenth by the end of 2007-8. But this would be a significant season for the Clarets with Owen Coyle replacing Steve Cotterill as manager in November 2007.
After 2007-8, the two clubs then went their separate ways of course. Burnley spent a season in the top flight last season whereas Scunthorpe back in the Championship after promotion in 2008-9 via the play-offs, this time narrowly managed to stay up finishing fifth from bottom.
Our first game against Scunthorpe in 2007-8 took place at Glanford Park on Saturday 18th August 2007. It was only our second League game of the season and we were optimistic of victory following an impressive 2-1 home win over promotion favourites West Brom in the season opener. We had however struggled in a midweek game against Grimsby Town at Blundell Park in the Carling Cup. The League 2 side held the Clarets at 0-0 after 90 minutes and then went ahead in added time before Burnley saved their embarrassment and equalised to take the game into penalties. We won the penalty battle 4-2 but it was less than convincing and it could have taken its toll as Burnley prepared to visit Scunthorpe. In the end we put in a lacklustre performance at Glanford Park going down 2-0 to the Championship new boys. One of the goals being scored by Martin Paterson!
The game marked Clarke Carlisle`s debut in a Burnley shirt having been signed earlier that week. David Unsworth too was making his debut for the Clarets in the back four. Duff and Jordan completed the unfamiliar back four.
The fact that the back four had not played together before seemed to be a telling factor in our defeat to follow with a number of misunderstandings in defence being apparent for all to see as the game progressed.
Joey Gudjonsson returned to the midfield and as expected Blake and Gray were the strike pairing. Wade Elliott would also start making his 300th league appearance.
In summary then we lined up as follows:
Kiraly, Duff, Jordan, Carlisle, Unsworth, Harley, McCann, Gudjonsson, Elliott, Blake, Gray
Subs: J O’Connor, Jensen, Akinbiyi, Lafferty, Spicer
Burnley dominated the first 20 minutes of this match which amazingly saw the lads being awarded 5 corners in the first 10 minutes as the sustained pressure on the Scunthorpe goal continued. If only we could have made this pressure count and get a goal in this period, the result could have been all so different but alas it was not to be as Scunthorpe came more and more into the game during the remainder of the first half.
It was not until 30 minutes into the game that Scunthorpe finally proved they had an attack and it even that was due to an uncharacteristic mistake from Gabor Kiraly The keeper on the edge of the area tried to clear a free kick, however Ian Baraclough picked up the loose punch from Kiraly and shot over his head towards an empty net.; an alert Unsworth however was onto it quickly and he cleared it from inside his six-yard box.
Scunthorpe now put the proper Clarets in white under more pressure and we were lucky to go in at half-time 0-0
The second half started badly for the Clarets and we were a goal down within 90 seconds from a free kick. Martin Paterson got onto the cross at the near post and his low shot found the back of the net giving Kiraly no chance.
Scunthorpe who seemed to be making all the running and Steve Cotterill had finally had enough after 57 minutes and tried to change things round with Kyle Lafferty replacing Jon Harley wide on the left.
Elliott found Gray but after chipping the ball, he could only find the hands of the Irons keeper who was running back to try and rescue the situation.
Disaster then struck in the 64th minute as the Clarets found themselves 2-0 down facing an almost impossible task to come back.
Jonathan Forte passed a ball inside to Jim Goodwin, who maneuvered around Unsworth to slot the ball past Kiraly from 18 yards.
By now it was game over but Steve Cotterill tried to rescue something from the match and brought on Akinbiyi for Elliott after 66 minutes.
Burnley did have a short spell towards the end of the match as the corner count increased to double figures. Unsworth saw a header cleared off the line from their 11th corner and Murphy managed to block Duff`s header.
Spicer had replaced McCann after 79 minutes but as the game petered out and the final whistle went, it was Scunny who left the pitch victorious fully deserving their three points.
If you want to read more about this defeat you can from our Match Archive by clicking this link:
No Funny at Scunny!
Scunthorpe visited Turf Moor for the return match on Saturday 2th January 2008 and this time under new manager, Owen Coyle we completely dominated proceedings.
The Clarets achieved their third win on the trot defeating a very poor Scunthorpe side 2-0 thanks to first half goals from Robbie Blake and Ade Akinbiyi. The win also rekindled hopes of achieving a play-offs place with Burnley moving up to 7th spot. Alas though the inevitable slump would happen and we would gradually slide down the table to finish 13th.
Our sixteen that day though was as follows:
Jensen, Alexander, Varga, Unsworth, Harley, Elliott, Gudjonsson McCann, J O’Connor, Blake, Akinbiyi
Subs: Kiraly, Caldwell, Jordan, Spicer, G O’Connor
It was Robbie Blake who should maybe have scored after only six minutes, firing over the bar from six yards out after picking up the ball from a corner and avoiding a couple of challenges.
Blake made sure three minutes later though with an impressive right-footed shot from the edge of the box which gave Iron keeper, Joe Murphy little chance as it flew neatly into the bottom corner to put the Clarets 1-0 up.
After 12 minutes, Scunthorpe managed a rare attack when a ball over the top put Martin Paterson clear.
He tried to hit the ball over the advancing Jensen but it missed the target with Alexander looking on to ensure we got a goal kick.
A very young Jack Cork on loan from Chelsea from 45 yards out then tried a spectacular shot but it hit the post scrambling to safety much to the relief of Jensen.
Burnley then doubled their lead on 32 minutes .Blake & Gudjonsson set up some nice play to put Wade Elliot free and his pin-point cross found Akinbiyi totally unmarked and he neatly headed in from close range.
The Clarets continued to look impressive for the remainder of the first half putting together some nice passes and playing very attractive football highlighting considerable weaknesses in the Scunthorpe defence.
That was it for the first half and the Clarets confidently trotted off the pitch 2-0 up and totally in control.
Again you can visit our Match Archive if you want to read more about this game by clicking this link:
Burnley Melt Down The Iron
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