The Clarets secured a vital point in their first away game of the new season after coming away from Ipswich with a 1-1 draw. The result leaves us nicely poised in 8th place with 4 points from the two games played so far.
Burnley had to endure a significant amount of pressure from the Tractor Boys and David Edgar playing in the unfamiliar role of right back was given a torrid time in particular. It got worse for the former Newcastle defender after picking up two yellow cards and being sent off with just twelve minutes to go and with the score still at 0-0. Now the pressure was really on and it looked like curtains when Ipswich finally broke the deadlock with just 5 minutes left to play. Their goal came from a corner after Jon Stead headed the ball into the danger area. New captain, David Norris was on hand to flick the ball home.
Burnley to their credit refused to lie down after that showing spirit and determination to get level although Ipswich came close to increasing their lead several times as their one man advantage began to take hold. Two minutes into the four minutes of added time though the Clarets were awarded a corner. When did we last score from a corner? That question had become a standing joke with Clarets fans often cynically singing ‘We are Going to Score from a Corner` Well this time they did! Captain Graham Alexander floated the ball over and there was Clarke Carlisle to get in a stunning glancing header. The ball sailed sweetly into the top corner to rescue the day for the Clarets. This was an excellent result for the Clarets against an Ipswich side buoyed up by their 3-1 win away to favourites Middlesbrough in their season opener last week. We brought them down to earth with a bump leaving Roy Keane ruing the fact his club continue to concede late goals but that is there problem.
Brian Laws though, before this match had a number of defensive headaches. Michael Duff had been given a 50:50 chance of making it. He was substituted on the half hour last week in our season opener against Forest at home after picking up a suspected calf strain which he put down to the softness of the pitch at Turf Moor. The new pitch had still not been completed with only the central section having had the special fibres added so the flanks were fairly soft and Duff thinks that caused his injury. It was later revealed that he was suffering from cramp only but it was still enough to keep him sidelined for the Ipswich game. The next problem for Laws was the loss of Tyrone Mears. No doubt the conspiracy theorists will now be having a field day suggesting Mears is about to leave the club but the official club line is that he is injured having picked up a shin injury. With Duff also injured who could play at right back? When the team sheet was announced I thought they were going to put the skipper back in that role which would have been a concern in relation to the pace needed for the job! Edgar was in the starting eleven so the obvious thought was well maybe he will be in the holding midfield position after he was tried in that role a number of times in this summer`s pre-season friendlies. The utility man though was in fact given the job at right back which surprised quite a few Clarets with Alexander keeping his holding midfield role. I wonder what right back Richard Eckersley must be thinking? Laws must still think he is not ready yet to play in the Championship since he was not even named on the bench.
The bad news this week that Chris McCann will be sidelined yet again this time for six months was another blow for Laws. The club officially announced that his cruciate had still not healed properly and this week he had corrective surgery and he now needs a period to recuperate. At least there was some good news in the midfield department following the signing on Friday of Jack Cork again. He arrived this time on a season-long loan but he was not given a place in the starting eleven at Portman Road having to be content with a place on the bench. In attack again Laws opted to have a sole striker up front (iwelumo) supported by the wide men
In summary therefore we lined up as follows:
Jensen, Edgar, Carlisle, Bikey, Fox, Alexander, Marney, Elliott, Wallace, Paterson, Iwelumo
Subs: Grant, Cort, Cork, McDonald, Eagles, Rodriguez, Thompson
Hertfordshire referee, Grant Hegley got the game underway and it was Ipswich who piled on the pressure in the early stages with both our full backs being tested down the flanks. David Edgar in particular was looking a little uncomfortable with Andros Townsend giving him the runaround. Edgar still managed to get in some crucial tackles though. With ten minutes of the first half remaining he pulled off a stunning block to deny the impressive looking Jon Stead following a dangerous cross from Townsend.
Despite the possession, Ipswich rarely tested Jensen and the defence held firm. The Beast though had to deal with a Townsend attempt from 20 yards out which skidded towards goal. Jensen had to dive to his right and smother the ball.
Our main problem seemed to be we just couldn`t seem to get Iwelumo into the game despite the best efforts of Paterson and Wallace who gradually began to make holes in their defence. Wade Elliott too was also giving the home side problems but the score remained at 0-0. Elliott combined well with Paterson to give the Clarets an early chance but Pato failed to score. Our best chance to break the deadlock came on 26 minutes with the industrious Elliott again involved. Bikey initiated the move after clearing the ball out of defence. The Ipswich defence prevented Iwelumo getting to the ball in the air but the ball eventually found Wallace after some nice play between Alexander and Marney. Getting the better of Jamie Peters, Wallace looked set to shoot but instead set up Elliott standing six yards out. He looked certain to score before Blues keeper, Fulop came from nowhere flying through the air getting both his face and hands to the ball blocking the attempt.
The Clarets came into their own a little bit after that close attempt. Wallace in particular was on the warpath to score. He put a shot wide before trying his luck from a free kick but he could only thump it hard into the defensive wall. It was 0-0 then at half-time.
Brian Laws made no changes for the start of the second half and once again it was the Clarets who came under pressure with Ipswich desperately seeking to make the breakthrough. Priskin fluffed a chance following some indecision from Carlisle and then Paterson was robbed with the Clarets attacking to set up an Ipswich counter attack. Jon Stead though could not make his effort count as another chance for the home side went begging.
Past the hour mark and it was time for Laws to make some changes. First Eagles came on to replace Paterson after 64 minutes and on 74 minutes the ineffective Iwelumo was replaced by Steven Thompson.
The task of breaking the deadlock for the Clarets got even harder though with 12 minutes to go when the away side were reduced to ten men. Edgar already on a yellow card had no option to bring down David Norris who was charging towards goal on yet another Ipswich break following a corner at the other end. Who would now slot in at right back? At this point Laws may have been wishing he had Eckersley on the bench but his only option was to drop Wade Elliott back.
Things looked hopeless for the Clarets when Ipswich took the lead with just five minutes to play. Ipswich were awarded a corner which was taken by Colin Healy. McAuley at the near post flicked on the ball for Stead to head back into the danger area. Norris had a simple task of scoring from close range to make it 1-0.
The Clarets were not going to give up though despite being a man down and their spirit and determination has to be applauded. Four minutes of added time were announced and with two minutes remaining the Clarets equalised after an Elliott cross forced Fulop to tip over the bar for a corner. It was Carlisle scoring his first goal since April 2009 from the resulting corner taken by Alexander that saved the day for the Clarets. His glancing header to score ensured the long journey home was a happy one for the fans as they savoured a well-earned point.
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Match Stats
Ipswich: Fulop, Peters, O`Connor, McAuley, Leadbitter (Healy H/T), Norris, Stead, Priskin, Townsend (Murphy 73)
Subs Not Used: Eastman, Lambe, Murray, Ainsley, Hourihane
Goal: Norris (86)
Burnley: Jensen, Edgar, Carlisle, Bikey, Fox, Alexander, Marney, Elliott, Wallace, Paterson (Eagles 67), Iwelumo (Thompson 74)
Subs Not Used: Grant, Cort, Cork, McDonald, Rodriguez
Goal: Carlisle (45 + 2)
Booked: Edgar red carded after picking up two yellows on 41 and 78 minutes plus Fox yellow carded on 75 minutes.
Possession: Ipswich 42% Burnley 58% (Source: BBC Sport)
Referee: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire)
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Surprised by the amount of possession we got in the end although I was only listening to the game on Clarets Player
I Think this was a good point. We came back from the dead to get our just reward.
Went to this one thus chalking up my first appearance of the season – even managed to sneak a couple of sort of Ipswich fans in with me though I’m confident I can convert at least one to a Claret ! Encouraged by this performance. Certainly more solid looking and the way we fought back suggests there is some spirit in the ranks. Though Bikey was exceptional yesterday and Wallace looked good in the first period. Impressive performances too from a pair of seagulls who appeared to be taking more than a passing interest in proceedings.
I thought the first half was exciting, with the second not so much. Edgar did look a little unsettled and the fact Eck didnt even make the bench does raise a few questions for me! Still, all in all, a good point. Pleased with it!
Seagulls?
Two seagulls were flying around over the pitch for what seemed like a reasonable length of time. I believe one even landed on the pitch ( trying to be our full back after Edgar was in the bath)!
Did not see the result (as we were visiting relatives) untill I watched the match on the football league show, say watched the match all 2 minutes of it. When Ipswich scored near the end I was gutted staying up well past midnight for that, but seconds later I was off my feet as Carlisle scored that late late equaliser.
Steady as she goes. The ‘never say die’ attitude in the squad is encouraging. Carlisle’s goal was a cracker, and it came about 30 seconds after I’d texted a mate with the message ‘it ain’t over till it’s over ‘. Brilliant !