DIMITRI Papadopoulos grabbed a goal in either half to give a very strong Burnley side a comfortable 2-0 victory against Oldham at Turf Moor yesterday afternoon.

The most interested spectator was Stan Ternent, sitting in the Cricket Field Stand, and he was less concerned about the scoreline than checking on the fitness of a number of key players.

On the opening day of the season, Nik Michopoulos, Steve Davis, Arthur Gnohere, Robbie Blake, Glen Little, Paul Weller and Papadopoulos all featured against Brighton.

But such is the impressive form of the current side, they have barely had a kick in anger in the past few weeks and so all will have benefited from the exercise.

It meant a quick turnaround for a number of players who had got back in the early hours of the morning and found themselves kicking off less than half a day later.

Despite that, it was Burnley who were fastest out of the traps with Robbie Blake twice setting up Brad Maylett in the opening minutes.

The side lined up in the 4-1-4-1 formation that Ternent has been employing recently, Davis in the Paul Cook role, Blake breaking forward from midfield and Papadopoulos the lone striker.

Burnley had lots of possession but it was not until the 35th minute they had a lead. Papadopoulos nodded home a far post cross from the over-lapping Mark McGregor after a superb move that involved ten passes with Little, Weller and finally Blake combining to free him down the right flank.

The second goal was also well taken, this time after Blake had won the ball and put the young Greek through to finish well.

Skipper Davis and Papadopoulos both came off in the second half and Blake saw a late penalty superbly saved by David Miskelly in the Oldham goal.

The object of the exercise was to give the players a proper run-out and it worked well. They were all resting today and waiting to see what part, if any, they may have to play at Watford on Sunday.

Burnley: Michopoulos, McGregor, E Davis, Gnohere, Armstrong (Leeson h-t), S Davis (Waine 64), Little, Weller, Blake, Maylett, Papadopoulos (Payton 70). Unused: Salisbury, O'Neill.

BURNLEY RESERVES... 2 OLDHAM RESERVES... 0