Burnley 1 Aston Villa 1- Charitable Steven Caldwell is itching to succeed
23 Nov 2009 - 00:19:59
Can you name the player being ridiculed by his fellow pros, despite playing a big part in a crucial goal?
No, not Thierry Henry. It's the unusual work for charity that Steven Caldwell is indulging in that has made him a marked man for the jokers in the Burnley dressing room.
The Scottish defender has joined the commendable November cause toraise cash for cancer research, a decision prompted by John Hartson'sfight with the dreaded disease.
Hairy moments: Caldwell celebrates with Graham Alexander and Robbie Blake
The initiative allows participants to ask for charity donations as long as they sport a moustache for the whole month. And Caldwell is itching his way to a decent sum, one no doubt boosted by his team-mates after he scored his first goal since March to put Burnley ahead.
Villa sub Emile Heskey replied with five minutes left to save the visitors from suffering defeat, as endured by Manchester United and Everton on their trips to Turf Moor.
But the Clarets' display meant Caldwell, 29, was able to keep a stiff and rather fluffy upper lip, despite the disappointment of being pegged back. 'I'm trying to grow a decent moustache, but it's a very, very poor effort,' he said.
'John Hartson is a friend of ours, so I am trying my best and schedule, having broken a foot while playing for former club Middlesbrough in May.
Big plus: Heskey levelled late on to steal a point for Villa
O'Neill said: 'It is a big plus for him to get on the field. In terms of real match fitness he is short, but I felt a little spurt might mean he could provide something for us.
'He is into the action which is great and he can only improve for it. We have a game in midweek and he will play if he is not too stiff.'
O'Neill has also promised to work on Heskey's scoring rate this season, saying: 'He is a provider of goals, but today it was particularly pleasing for him to score that goal, which I think he is capable of doing on a more frequent basis.'
BURNLEY (4-5-1): Jensen 7; Mears 7, Carlisle 7, Caldwell 8, Jordan 7; Eagles 6 (McDonald 69, 4), Elliott 6, Alexander 6, Bikey 7, Blake 5 (Gudjonsson 81, 4); Fletcher 7 (Nugent 74, 4).
ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Friedel 6; Luke Young 6 (Heskey 80, 6), Cuellar 5, Dunne 5, Warnock 5; Milner 6, Petrov 7, Sidwell 6 (Downing 70, 5), Ashley Young 5; Carew 6, Agbonlahor 6.
Booked: Dunne, Sidwell, Cuellar.
Man of the match: Emile Heskey.
Referee: Howard Webb.
BURNLEY FC
