Burnley don't have their foot on the Gas

19 July 2011 22:44
Burnley have been beaten 2-0 by Bristol Rovers tonight on our first visit to the Memorial Stadium in almost twelve years. Jay Rodriguez came closest to scoring for Burnley The last time we were there it ended with both managers, Ian Holloway and Stan Ternent, verbally laying into referee Keith Hill after he'd wrecked the game completely with around 11 yellow cards, 1 red and a winning penalty that was nothing short of a joke. There were no such problems tonight, Burnley's problems were all of their own making as they turned in a very poor performance that saw us have only one shot on target, that coming from Jay Rodriguez in the dying moments of the game. Eddie Howe used 20 of the 23 players with Steven Hewitt, Lee Grant and the somewhat mysterious Jon Stewart not being involved. The home side took the lead midway through the first half from a corner. Ben Mee, on his Burnley debut, did well to clear the danger at the expense of the flag kick and when it came in Matt Harrold volleyed home from just outside the six yard box. Fortunate to be only one behind at half time, things didn't improve in the second half and the lead was doubled when Eliot Richards, just on as a substitute for Harrold, went clear and beat Jensen. A Ross Wallace shot onto the bar was the nearest Burnley came until that late Jay Rod effort and we now move on to Torquay hoping for a better performance. The teams were; Bristol Rovers:  Scott Bevan, Michael Smith (Michael Boateng 61), Adam Virgo (Cian Bolger 45), Byron Anthony, Lee Brown (Stuart Campbell 45), Chris Lines (Wayne Brown 45), Matt Gill (Craig Stanley 45), Chris Zebroski (Ben Swallow 45), Joe Ansinyah (Mustapha Carayol 45), Scott McGleish (Jo Kuffour 45), Matt Harrold (Eliot Richards 61). Subs not used: Lance Cronin, Kayne McLaggon. Burnley: Brian Jensen, Tyrone Mears (Kevin Long 67), Michael  Duff (Andre Bikey 67), Ben Mee (David Edgar 67), Danny Fox (Brian Easton 67), Dean Marney (Marvin Bartley 67), Chris McCann, Wes Fletcher (Wade Elliott 45), Chris Eagles (Jay Rodriguez 67), Alex MacDonald (Ross Wallace 45), Martin Paterson (Charlie Austin 67). Subs not used: Lee Grant, Steven Hewitt. Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Attendance: 2,500 (including 230 Clarets).

Source: FOOTYMAD