By Longsider
August 30 2004

Press reports of the 1-1 result against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. These reports come from the Daily Telegraph and Sporting Life.

Blake identifies route to goal By Peter Gardner

Daily Telegraph

Burnley (1) 1 Wolves (1) 1

Wolves, disrupted by injuries following relegation and still seeking a first victory in more modest surroundings, survived a torrid second half at Turf Moor, as much through the home side's squandering of opportunities as by their own resolute defensive qualities.

In this latter respect, the performance by Joleon Lescott was particularly admirable. Absent throughout last season, Lescott completed 90 minutes to earn the praise of his manager, Dave Jones, as Wanderers secured a third successive draw. Jones said: "Lescott was not even in contention until Lee Naylor failed a fitness test. When I asked Joleon if he was fit and ready, the answer was 'Yes' and I am pleased for him."

Wolves exploited wretched Burnley defending to take a 15th-minute lead, Shaun Newton rounding Danny Coyne after a weak back header from Frank Sinclair. Home response was instant, Robbie Blake taking advantage of equally sloppy Wolves play in midfield. Graham Branch dispossessed Paul Ince, enabling Blake to weave through a defence that declined to tackle before finishing clinically. Yet Blake scorned an easier second-half opportunity, carelessly shooting over from 10 yards when the excellent Michael Duff crossed from the right.

Burnley's ineptness in front of goal was complete when Ian Moore fired over, although Steve Cotterill still expressed delight at what he considered an excellent Burnley performance.

Burnley 1 Wolves 1

Sporting Life.

Robbie Blake's sensational solo strike was the highlight of an exciting Coca-Cola Championship match between Burnley and Wolves at Turf Moor. Blake marked his 100th league appearance for the Clarets with a thrilling run and finish to cancel out Shaun Newton's opener. Although stunning efforts have become something of a speciality for Blake, he cannot have scored many better goals than that which lifted the crowd to their feet in the 24th minute. Blake's dazzling display encapsulated Burnley's entertaining approach, and it is difficult not to feel sympathy for manager Steve Cotterill, who saw his side dominate for much of the second half.

Wolves boss Dave Jones' overriding emotion when he left Lancashire will have been of relief, and the point the visitors collected was even more welcome given the injury crisis at Molineux. While the Wolves fans might not be entirely happy with their team's performance, they would have been delighted to see Joleon Lescott back in action after more than a year on the sidelines with knee problems. Although the central defender, whose last appearance came in the 2002/3 First Division play-off final, saw Seyi George Olofinjana test Burnley goalkeeper Danny Coyne with a 30-yard drive, the hosts enjoyed the better of the early exchanges.

Richard Chaplow forced Paul Jones into a fingertip save, and Sinclair headed wide from the resulting Blake corner, but Newton showed better composure in front of goal to give Wolves the lead. Sinclair, whose presence has been one of the key factors in Burnley's improved defensive record this season, failed to put sufficient weight on a header back to Coyne and Newton nipped in to knock the ball past the goalkeeper and into an empty net.

The goal that Burnley's impressive start warranted arrived in the 24th minute, Blake beating three Wolves defenders with ease as he advanced into the penalty area before slotting the ball beyond Jones. Chaplow again tried his luck from distance as Burnley pressed for a second, and Blake brought a breathless first half to a fitting conclusion with an audacious 35-yard free-kick which Jones, taken by surprise, gathered only at the second attempt.

Ian Moore failed to find the target with a header after a rampaging run and precise cross by Mo Camara, and Micah Hyde shot over the crossbar to underline Burnley's confidence after the interval. They almost treated a boisterous crowd to another classic goal in the 74th minute, but Hyde could only volley into the side-netting following superb work from Camara down the left.

Blake wasted an even better chance moments later. Michael Duff, released by Graham Branch, made good ground before pulling the ball back to Blake, who shot inches wide of Jones' right post.

Teams:

Coyne, Duff, McGreal, Sinclair, Camara, Grant, Moore, Chaplow, Hyde, Branch, Blake.

Subs Not Used: O'Neill, Pilkington, Roche, Townsend, Jensen. Booked: Camara, Grant.

Goals: Blake 24.

Jones, Edwards, Lescott, Craddock, Clyde, Newton, Olofinjana, Ince, Cameron, Miller (Mulligan 82), Clarke.

Subs Not Used: Andrews, Cooper, Lowe, Oakes.

Booked: Miller, Clarke, Cameron.

Goals: Newton 15. Att: 13,869

Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).