An impressive Burnley following at the Britannia Stadium

Another good performance on the road saw the Clarets climb to third in the table as an Andy Gray goal after just 35 seconds gave Burnley a thoroughly deserved three points.

It’s now an impressive 8 points from 12 away from home as the Clarets boast the proud statistic of being the only unbeaten team on the road in the division so far this season. Sheer hard work was rewarded with a win as the Clarets battled against Tony Pulis’ predictably one-dimensional side.

The starting eleven was pretty much as expected as Michael Duff once again claimed the right back position ahead of Frank Sinclair, with Wayne Thomas partnering McGreal, and Jon Harley completing the back four.

Wade Elliott played wide right, Steve Jones played on the left, with James O’Connor partnering Micah Hyde in the middle of the park. Andy Gray was partnered with Tuesday’s goal hero Gifton Noel-Williams up front, just rewards for Gifton.

A sizable Burnley contingent had travelled from Lancashire, and the Burnley end was in full voice long before kick-off. The game got underway, and as people were still finishing their pre-match pints under the stand, Andy Gray smacked home the goal that would ultimately win us the game.

35 seconds it took, as some good work from Michael Duff on the right presented Micah Hyde with a shooting chance. Hyde’s shot was blocked, but the ball fell kindly to Andy Gray in the area who cracked the ball into the corner of Steve Simonsen’s goal.

What a start. This doesn’t happen to us, early goals, never mind away from home. Still, the noise from the Burnley end, which was already loud, rose to ecstasy as the Clarets made the perfect start.

We bossed the first-half, as Stoke punted long balls up to the useless-at-best Mamade Sidebe, and the strangely subdued Sammy Bangoura, who might as well have still been AWOL. Wayne Thomas and John McGreal were dealing with everything, although McGreal did seem to get away with what looked like some illegal climbing at times.

At the other end, Gifton and Andy Gray were linking up well with some lovely inter-play between the two. The Gift was also winning us a lot of free-kicks in the Stoke half as the two centre-backs for Stoke seemed keen on just going straight through the back of Noel-Williams to try to get the ball. As Gifton won another free-kick midway through the first half a voice from the back of the Burnley end bellowed, “He’s a free-kick machine!” much to the amusement of those around.

We had a couple of half-chances which fell to Wade Elliott and Micah Hyde, but a good first half drew to a close with our lead in tact and a Stoke side that wasn’t causing us too much to worry about.

The now annual Stoke half-time beer throwing competition was once again staged under the stand at half-time as the Burnley fans continued their singing whilst waiting for pies and pints. ‘Ten men went to s***’ seemed to be the catalyst of the half time antics. Some got wet, but nobody seemed to mind, we were 1-0 up after all.

Predictably, Stoke came out stronger in the second half and another early chance saw them come close to equalising. Peter Sweeney hit a shot from the edge of the area that was flying towards the top corner until the Beast flung himself to tip the ball round the post. What a good save, and it would have been very harsh on us had Stoke got an equaliser at that point.

We just needed another, there was always the possibility that Stoke could fluke an equaliser, and ten minutes later we had a spell of pressure that really should have put the game beyond Stoke. Michael Duff just failed to connect with a cross from the left with the goal at his mercy, and then Gifton fired a low cross right across goal that strike partner Andy Gray just couldn’t get to. Frustrating, that second goal just wouldn’t come.

Stoke were running out of time, and with just ten minutes left Mamade Sidebe finally got something right, smashing a volley that brought a stunning reflex save from Jensen. They then had a series of corners, and one brought about an almighty scramble in the box. It was hard to see what was happening from the away end at the opposite end of the pitch, but in there there looked to be another great save from Jensen, a couple of blocks and thankfully a hooked clearance.

Deep, deep, deep into injury time, another cross came into the box, but there was the Beast to collect with the travelling Clarets cheering that particular claim like a goal. It was the only thing the referee could really be criticised for was the added time. It was indicated that three minutes were to be played, but this surely must have been knocking on for almost five by the time the full-time whistle finally went.

It was a nervy last ten minutes, but that shouldn’t be taken as Stoke domination, we were well worth our three points, and easily the better side on the day. The Burnley fans cheered their heroes off the pitch as Steve Cotterill pumped his fist at the away end. He loves winning at Stoke doesn’t he?

Many, many good performances, the Beast was fantastic, Wayne Thomas and John McGreal were strong, and Jon Harley linked up very well with the impressive Steve Jones on the left hand side. Wade Elliott continued his recent revival of form, and the Gift gave his all, although he did look very tired towards the end.

A special mention for the referee Chris Foy who refereed the game very well, and if anything could be criticised for siding with us a lot of the time. That makes a nice change doesn’t it? Wade Elliott though was very harshly booked as an over-reaction from a Stoke player ensured that Foy had to take some action. It was never a booking though.

It’s third in the league as we now move onto the game with Southampton at the Turf. Just one place below us they will surely give us a better game than Stoke did. For now though we’ll enjoy the latest result and enjoy seeing the Clarets sitting proudly in third position. Let’s hope the home form can come into line too, and much more of this then who knows what this season could bring!

Up the Clarets.