A CAPTAIN'S performance by Kelsey Duckworth helped Burnley to a winning start to the season in a thrilling match against Blackburn Centurions.

Centre forward Duckworth scored four times, with strike partner Paul Whitehead netting a hat-trick, as Burnley finally quashed Centurions' stubborn resistence.

In fact, the Centurions shocked their visitors by grabbing an early goal with a well placed shot in off the post by Dave Wright.

But Burnley - who last year finished as runners-up in the North Lancashire League behind current British champions Lancaster - soon fought back.

Goals by Andrew Blackburn and a double strike by Duckworth gave Burnley a 3-1 lead by the end of the first quarter.

But Blackburn had a sharp shooter of their own in Neil Smith who went on to grab a hat-trick. He pulled the gap back to one when he battled well to keep control of the ball and turned from close range to score. Burnley regained their two point advantage through Paul Whitehead then went further ahead through John Instone.

However Blackburn refused to roll over and a piercing long range shot into the top right corner by Chris Hyde then a fancy lob by Smith brought them right back in it.

But significantly Burnley scored again through Duckworth just before half time and it was the closest Blackburn were to come.

In the third quarter Burnley scored four times without reply with goals by Kevin Walker, Duckworth and two from Whitehead.

And it could have been a lot more if it wasn't for the fine goalkeeping by Blackburn's Dave Noblett.

And they made that six when Paul McDowell and Walker extended Burnley's lead to 12-4. But Blackburn were to find the net one more time and Smith scored a penalty to complete his hat-trick.

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