Clarets in 7th Heaven

Last updated : 21 January 2006 By Andy Ashworth

Jay Rodriquez - got the Clarets off to a good start with the first two goals

With the ground underfoot a little soft and two big centre halves lining up against us it was no surprise to see the Clarets opt for a nimble forward line of Jay Rodriguez and Cayne Hanley. The decision to drop Rob Turner to the bench almost paid off after 5 minutes when Hanley outstripped the defence and crashed a shot against the bar.

The visitors defended in numbers, closing down well and giving us very little time in our attacking play, so it was perhaps a little harsh on them when we took the lead. On around 25 minutes we were awarded a free kick in a central position. Nicky Platt played it out to the wing where Paul Casey picked it up and crossed to the near post. Hanley controlled well and laid it back for Rodriguez to stab home into the corner.

Rodriguez could have immediately doubled his tally but saw a clever attempt spin wide. Within five minutes though he did have his second as he pounced on an error by the centre half and ran on, unleashing a howitzer from the edge of the box.

Five minutes before half time came the point that ended the Macc lads hopes as Hanley was hauled down by the left back when clean through. The ref had no option but to show the red card due to an on looking assessor but at this level a yellow would have sufficed.

The 2nd half was about five minutes old when, looking for his hat trick, Rodriguez shot under challenge in the box. The ball ricocheted across the face of goal allowing Hanley to force home from close range.

Minutes later the visitors got a goal back with a shot from the edge of the box, which may have deflected slightly, giving the keeper no chance. Within minutes though we had restored the three-goal lead with a powerful low shot into the corner from Platt.

Almost immediately it was 5-1 when Martin Reilly hit a pinpoint 40-yard pass into the path of Dale Underwood who took the ball on and hammered past the keeper from an angle. The winger then had an effort disallowed for offside after a neatly flicked finish at the near post.

Our dominance led to a number of substitutions with some of the U-16 being given more match experience. Hanley smashed home his second of the game on the 70-minute mark after Rodriguez had repaid his 1^st half assist with a knock down in the box.

Underwood was again unlucky when he saw a drive cleared virtually off the line following strong work by Rob Turner and Turner himself had a handful of chances to get his name on the scoresheet. The seventh and final goal though came to Hanley. Good approach play by Platt and Dean Stott released Underwood and his cross-shot was parried by the keeper. The ball dropped into space and Hanley pounced before the defence could react to claim the matchball.

Teams : Lee Trialist, Rob Henry, Paul Casey, Martin Reilly, Tom Blackler (Dean Stott), Nicky Platt, Adam Kay (Rob Turner), Ali Akbar (Lewis Craig), Dale Underwood, Jay Rodriguez, Cayne Hanley.