We caught the 6.18 from Haywards Heath, the 7.55 from Kings Cross, the 10.54 from Leeds and we arrived in Burnley at midday. We headed straight for the Ministry of Ale and were soon supping pints, some tucking into Pie and Mushy pees for £2, and it felt good to be back following the Albion.
We moved on to a pub down the road, then next stop was The Turf, which was surprisingly empty. The pub is 100% claret and blue inside and has pictures going back over the years and also numerous different home and away shirts.
At 2.55 we decided we better go to the game and just before 3pm were seated behind the goal towards the back. Not that many Albion at the game (we guessed from between 350 to 500 - the effects of beer I imagine).
Having missed our attacking football, I was disappointed to find the team changed (down to some dreaded virus), but still glad to see 4 attacking players on the pitch.
As already mentioned it wasn't the greatest game of football ever witnessed. We battled hard, but our midfield duo were never going to take apart a solid looking Burnley side.
We took the lead after McShane nodded in a Carole cross after good work by Knight. Burnley huffed and puffed but Butters and McShane battled superbly against Noel-Williams and Akinbiyiyiyiyyi.
To be honest I couldn't see them scoring, but the referee decided to help them out with a very harsh penalty against Mayo for shirt pulling.
Henderson then came into his own. He made 3 or 4 great stops, especially crucial towards the end against Akinbiyi.
So it was then the 17.28 back to Leeds, the 20.15 from Leeds and the 23.32 back to Haywards Heath. A long day, but a good point against one of our relegation rivals
Henderson - 8 My MOTM, sign him up!
Reid - 6 solid game at right back
Mayo - 5 bit rusty, but kept going and seemed to get back into it as the game went along
McShane - 7 excellent goal, and great cool defending
Butters - 7 partnered McShane perfectly
Carpenter - 6 was overrun at times
Oatway - 4 frequently was the weak link, but he did put himself about as usual, but we missed Hammond
Carole - 7 pushed Henderson for my MOTM. Attacked well, set up the goal, then battled hard as shifted position with substitutes
Jarrett - 5 was prepared to keep going, sort of player who will be in and out of matches
Knight - 7 battled hard, great passer of the ball
Robinson - 4 out of sorts, not really involved
CKR was on at half time for Carpenter. It put the team out of shape, until Frutos was on for Jarret and the team was rebalanced with Nicolas on for Robinson (all within the first 10 minutes possibly?)
CKR - 6 battled hard, gave the defence a different problem compared to Robinson
Frutos - 6 first time I have seen him, came on at difficult time but battled hard
Nicolas - 5 poor distribution, but tracked back well
Elphick and Blayney not used
Mark R