Akin-Beauty

By Longsider
September 30 2004

Some press reports from the game against Stoke on Saturday. Today we bring you reports from the Sunday People, Sporting Life and Daily Telegraph.

STOKE FAIL TO MAKE DOMINANCE PAY

Daily Telegraph

There was no doubting Stoke's superiority, even when facing a two-goal deficit so early in a richly entertaining Turf Moor encounter.

"Desperately disappointed," was the reaction of Tony Pulis, the Stoke manager, who claimed never to have been involved in such a one-sided game.

Indeed, the second half proved a Stoke monopoly, Ed De Goey remaining virtually unemployed as the home side shot wretchedly over from distance and Robbie Blake steered a clear chance wide.

However, Burnley had missed chances to make the game safe. A stunning strike from 20 yards by Micah Hyde was spectacularly turned over by De Goey and then Clint Hill blocked an attempt from the industrious Richard Chaplow shortly before Ade Akinbiyi halved the home advantage, from Clive Clarke's corner, with the first of his two strikes.

From that point, Stoke wrested control and the sending-off of defender Michael Duff, for a second yellow card, merely compounded problems for Burnley.

A combination of excellent saves by Danny Coyne and poor finishing denied Stoke the victory their overall dominance deserved.

Blake's free kick enabled Ian Moore to steer in the opening goal. Blake then dispatched a penalty.

Akinbiyi's second was clinically executed following a neat build-up involving Hill and Gifton Noel-Williams.

 

AKIN-BEAUTY

Sunday People

ACTION MAN Ade Akinbiyi rescued a point for high-flyers Stoke against 10-man Burnley.

It had looked all over for the Potters as Burnley roared into a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes and pounded away at the Stoke defence in search of more.

But once ClaretsÕ right-back Michael Duff received his marching orders for a second bookable offence in the 42nd minute things changed.

It was Stoke who gradually took control and Akinbiyi who provided the vital touches when it mattered most.

Burnley got off to the best possible start with a goal after just three minutes from Ian Moore.

He caught the Stoke defence and goalkeeper Ed De Goey completely flat-footed when he curled his right leg around his marker to divert a free-kick from strike partner Robbie Blake into the far corner.

Stoke looked like they had a chance to get right back into it four minutes later when Akinbiyi was put through by Gifton Noel-Williams.

Akinbiyi's shot bounced off Burnley keeper Danny Coyne and was heading tantalisingly towards the empty net when John McGreal dashed in to clear.

That proved to be only a brief respite in the Burnley onslaught on the Stoke goal and they got their reward in the 18th minute with a second goal.

Blake was pushed to the ground by Gerry Taggart as he went for a cross from Mo Camara.

Blake smashed the penalty home to put the Clarets into a commanding lead.

It could have been even more impressive. Richard Chaplow had a shot blocked when he was presented with a great chance after being put through on his own.

Then De Goey did well to dive high to his left and tip away a thunderous shot from Micah Hyde following a Tony Grant corner.

The drama didn't end there and Duff picked up what was to prove a costly yellow card for a 29th-minute foul on the lively Akinbiyi. Burnley were regretting not capitalising on their first-half dominance when Akinbiyi pounced on a loose ball right in front of goal following a 34th minute corner to put Stoke right back in the game.

Their chances received a further boost in the 42nd minute when Burnley were reduced to 10 men following Duff's second caution of the game  for handball.

Stoke claimed their second goal soon after the second half got under way.

A 50th-minute raid down the left saw the ball played out to Akinbiyi in plenty of space and he directed a shot into the net with the inside of his right boot. Stoke were definitely in the ascendancy now, and although Burnley tried to steady the ship with the 54th-minute introduction of on-loan Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy, it took a tremendous point- black save from Coyne to stop Noel- Williams blasting Stoke ahead after 72 minutes.

Stoke did not give up until the bitter end and Burnley had Coyne to thank for a couple of great stops as they hung on for a point in a game they had looked set to win by a street.

BURNLEY: *COYNE 8  Duff 5, Sinclair 7, McGreal 6, Camara 7  Chaplow 7, Grant 6 (Duffy, 54mins), Hyde 6, Branch 6  Blake 7, Moore 6.

STOKE: De Goey 7  Halls 7, Thomas 7, Taggart 6, Hill 6 (Guppy, 63mins), Russell 6, Clarke 6, Brammer 7 (Henry, 79mins), Hall 6 Noel-Williams 7, *AKINBIYI 8 (Asaba, 85mins).

Ref: M J Jones 6.

 

Sporting Life

Ade Akinbiyi scored a goal in each half as Stoke hit back from a two-goal deficit to share the spoils against 10-man Burnley.

In an entertaining first half Robbie Blake laid on one goal and scored another as the home side dominated before having Michael Duff sent off for a second bookable offence.

Duff was given his marching orders for deliberate handball after 42 minutes.

High-flying Stoke, looking to build on their impressive start to the campaign, pulled a goal back through Akinbiyi after 33 minutes.

Burnley, who included new loan signing Richard Duffy on the bench, could hardly have wished for a better start.

They grabbed the lead after just two minutes when Blake's cross from the right found Ian Moore, who slotted the ball home from close range.

Stoke attempted to hit back immediately but a David Brammer free-kick was easily dealt with by the home defence.

The visitors had their first effort on goal after seven minutes but Burnley goalkeeper Danny Coyne managed to parry Darel Russell's shot.

Stoke continued to push for a leveller with Gifton Noel-Williams sending a right-foot effort over the crossbar and they threatened again with Akinbiyi getting on the end of Clint Hill's cross, but his header was saved by Coyne.

With the action switching from end to end Burnley had the chance to increase their lead but Duff dragged his 16th-minute effort wide of the target.

The home side did double their advantage just two minutes later when Blake was fouled in the area by Hill and the referee awarded a penalty.

Blake made no mistake from the spot to put his team two up.

And it could have been even better had Moore not send his header straight at Stoke goalkeeper Ed de Goey, who then somehow tipped over Micah Hyde's 20-yard drive.

Stoke halved the deficit 12 minutes before the break with Akinbiyi heading in at the far post from Brammer's corner.

The visitors took advantage of their one man advantage just five minutes into the second half with Akinbiyi netting his second goal of the game to level matters.

Stoke continued to pile on the pressure and Gerry Taggart was wide with a header from Brammer's outswinging corner after 52 minutes before Brammer had a fierce shot blocked by Danny Coyne.

Burnley brought on Duffy for his debut nine minutes into the second half as he replaced Tony Grant.

But it was Stoke who continued to dominate proceedings as 10-man Burnley were forced into plenty of rearguard action to remain on level terms.

Coyne then distinguished himself with 18 minutes remaining as he brilliantly kept out a fiercely-struck volley from Stoke's Noel-Williams.

Teams

Burnley Coyne, Duff, Sinclair, McGreal, Camara, Hyde, Chaplow, Grant (Duffy 54), Branch, Moore, Blake.

Subs Not Used: Jensen, O'Neill, Valois, Sanokho.

Sent Off: Duff (43).

Booked: Duff.

Goals: Moore 3, Blake 19 pen.

Stoke de Goey, Halls, Thomas, Taggart, Hill (Guppy 63), Russell, Hall, Clarke, Brammer (Henry 78), Akinbiyi (Asaba 85), Noel-Williams.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Greenacre.