Burnley 2 Northampton Town 1 - Richard Slater's big match verdict

AFTER the humiliation of their midweek display, Burnley simply had to win this match - for themselves and their fans.

And the victory will have done much for the confidence of the players Chris Waddle described as "totally embarrassing" just four days earlier.

From the kick-off, the Clarets were up for the challenge posed by a physical Northampton side which is pushing for promotion.

Possession came easily, and man-of-the-match Gerry Harrison dominated the middle of the park.

There was much attractive football on display from Burnley, while the visitors were content to play a waiting game and contain the breaks.

But possession and fancy touches count for nought if the men up front, Paul Barnes and Lee Howey, are given little to work with.

Too often the home side squeezed their play into the middle third and Harrison and Mark Ford found few opportunities to spread the ball wide or forward into the paths of their colleagues.

Instead, the ball was fumbled back to the defensive line, or into areas where danger could be thwarted too easily.

Northampton, meanwhile, were more than happy to sit back and soak up Burnley's forays with a fine back-five display in the first half.

The sense of urgency in Burnley's play rarely let up during the match, with Harrison never far from the action.

But, for all the dominance, penetration was at a premium.

The closest Burnley came to a goal was early on when, from the second of two incisive corners, Steve Blatherwick headed just over. With the space afforded to the home team's midfield, the chances began to arrive, but none could be called clear-cut.

Paul Weller and Barnes worked a classy one-two but, once in the box, Weller wanted too much time and the ball was easily swept away.

Waddle, who was paid aggressive close attention by Northampton's left-back John Frain worked some lively interchanges with Chris Brass, but to no avail.

He showed class, though, when he body-swerved before bending a shot into the hands of Andy Woodman.

But he also showed his present frailties when, after a promising interchange with Barnes, Waddle slipped in the box when one-on-one with the keeper.

In the final minute of the half, another good move by the pair saw Barnes' left-foot curler from the edge of the box palmed away by Woodman.

The shot count was high and there was plenty of effort on display, but while the grit was there, the guile was lacking.

After the interval Northampton switched to 4-4-2 with the enforced substitution of Sampson because of a knee twist.

It clearly put them off their guard and Burnley should have scored in the opening seconds.

A fine cross-field ball from Brass found Weller unmarked on the back post but, rather than heading for goal, he opted to nod the ball towards the on-rushing Barnes and Howey but it looped over both.

With the game now opening up, the visitors also had their chances.

Carl Heggs' half-volley flew just over Marlon Beresford's bar. That move marked Northampton's first shot on goal. Their second, and last, provided the opening strike.

Former Claret John Gayle, who had been cheered on to the pitch by Burnley fans, lost his marker to head Heggs' precision cross back to Alistair Gibb who drove a left-footer between Beresford and the near-post.

Rather than withering them, the goal galvanised Burnley, who were now being barracked by their fans.

Howey, who bore most of the criticism, had a free-header, plenty of space and time and finished dreadfully with the ball skying over the bar.

Then came an excuse for the terrace team-pickers to play their part.

Weller, who had had a reasonable game, was replaced by Andy Cooke who linked with the front pairing.

Boos rang out at the decision.

At the half's midpoint, Howey was presented with a trio of heading opportunities to level the score, but squandered all.

His performance personified that of his team - plenty of huffing and puffing, but no end result.

Howey, battered both by a bang to the head and the harsh chants of the fans, left the pitch to cheers and was replaced by Damian Matthew - the turning point of the game.

With Matthew adding a touch of calm and class, Burnley's chances started to mount while their opponents had resorted to long-ball hit-and-hope tactics.

And within two minutes, Matthew took the corner which saw Neil Moore rise from a group of defenders and head through a crowded six-yard box for the equaliser. Burnley, were now playing with rare confidence, suddenly started finding space on the flanks and the winner followed on 36 minutes.

Waddle nudged a delicious ball through defenders for Brass to cross from the right.

Barnes had found space and pushed his header downwards past the outstretched Woodman.

More chances fell for Barnes, who worked a one-two with Harrison, and for Matthew whose composure left him when one-on-one with the keeper.

By this time, though, the home team was playing out time and Northampton rarely threatened.

The home crowd left smiling. But Chris Waddle departed without a hint of acknowledgement for their praise.

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