Home sweet home for the Clarets as Hartlepool visit

The Clarets have been drawn to face League Two side Hartlepool United at Turf Moor in the first round of the Carling Cup, and it is a fixture that has been welcomed by Burnley boss Steve Cotterill.

Speaking to the official site, Cotterill said:

"Obviously we are delighted to have home advantage, whoever the opposition.

"That's all you can ask for at the first hurdle and then try to build on that. It will be no pushover though because when you play league opposition it is always tough.

"But we have done well in the cup competitions in recent years whenever we've had a home draw and we will be looking to continue that and progress."

The draw gives the Clarets a good chance of progressing to round two, where some of the Premiership clubs will enter, although Premiership clubs involved in Europe will not join until the third round.

Last season saw the Clarets progress to the third round after victories over Carlisle United and Barnsley, and we were rewarded with a trip to Villa Park, but a Kevin Phillips goal was the difference in a close contest.

So it’s Hartlepool this time in the first round, let’s hope we can have a good run again this season in the Carling Cup and boost the coffers with a good tie in the later rounds. The game will take place in the week commencing 20th August.