Coventry 0-2 Burnley

By TheLongside.co.uk
February 13 2005

Burnley took 3 points in their last ever game at Highfield Road with goals. Oster and Ian Moore bagged both goals in a lively second half.

During the first half, both sides tested each other’s defence in the first half with Jean Louis-Valois making some good runs and the Coventry strike-force testing Jensen well.

A poor Coventry side should have gone down and a chat with a celebrity Claret, Richard Moore, suggested that he wasn't too impressed with the first half. Things had to get better though and we had to take advantage of the fact Coventry were not playing well at all.

Fortunately, we started to dominate the second half, some good runs into the box and both Hyde and Oster having good chances. The combination of Moore and Branch upfront had given Moore and the team confidence, Moore looked more content with a strike partner rather than being along upfront which doesn't suit him.

On 64 minutes, a brilliant pass from Grant allowed Oster to score his first Burnley goal. He clipped the ball over a helpless Steele and the away crowd erupted.

A good session of singing from the Clarets fans had occurred right though the game and with the Rovers game creeping up on us, the crowd were now fired up for the biggest game of the year.

I quote from the fans: "There's only eight days till Christmas" and an array of other songs aimed at our neighbours. One bearded steward commented that we weren't Millwall then pulled out a huge video camera. They obviously underestimated our support.

You can then only imagine the atmosphere once Ian Moore scored an easy goal, five minutes later. It definitely was a case of "Bring on the B*******s", and I'm sure they were singing "Bring on the Dingles" after their 3-0 win at Norwich.

Moore continued to entertain when he nearly scored soon after that. While I was glad that I set off two hours before kick off in a mad last minute frenzy to get the game, by some miracle I arrived only 5 minutes late, Moore must have been equally glad to get his first league goal since September.

Late on in the game, Stern John nearly received a red card, and while we wanted him sent off, not long before the final whistle, some Coventry fans wanted the Coventry board to clear off.

If we meet again next season, the Coventry/Jaguar Arena will be complete and this amazing stadium will play host to us. Hopefully, it won't be a last minute decision and will be easier to find. The Stoke Football Stadium sign didn't throw us off where we were heading at 2:55 but this stadium is on the side of a main road that leads to the m6 so, even if I do set off late, I might get there 5 minutes early this time.

Coventry 0-2 Burnley

Coventry: Steele, Whing, Staunton (Giddings, 65) Negouai (John, 45) Williams, Hughes (Wood, 45) Adebola, McSheffrey, Barrett, Doyle, Leacock.
Subs not used: Jorgensen, Shaw.

Burnley: Jensen, Camara, McGreal, Duff, Oster (Roche, 88) Branch, Moore, Grant, Hyde, Cahill, Valois.
Subs not used: Coyne, O'Neill, Pilkington, Scott.

Bookings: Micah Hyde (foul) 32 minutes, John McGreal (foul) 75 minutes, Michael Duff (foul) 78 minutes, Stern John (foul) 87 minutes.