IMPRESSIVE BURNLEY thrashed Ulster Cup holders Glentoran in Belfast as their pre-season plans stepped up another gear.

And this most convincing of wins takes their Northern Ireland goal tally to an impressive 13, with none conceded.

The Clarets dominated the whole game from start to finish.

And Glentoran simply could not cope with Burnley's higher fitness levels and superior skills.

"I was very, very pleased with that 4-0 win and especially with the attitude of the players," said manager Adrian Heath.

"Overall, that was the most complete display we've had this week and I couldn't have any real complaints.

"It was definitely better than the 5-0 win over Ards because the whole unit worked from start to finish - and against tougher opposition.

"I thought the midfield worked very well and the back three - Gerry Harrison, Peter Swan and Mark Winstanley were superb.

"Let's remember this was a team who won the Irish Cup last season. They are no mugs. We kept them down to two efforts at goal all game. Our finishing in front of goal was very good too."

Heath added: "One of the biggest aspects which has delighted me is the fact we have gone four games without conceding a goal.

"That is good for morale, never mind what opposition you are facing."

Glentoran, managed by former Clarets favourite Tommy Cassidy, are due to play Sparta Prague in the first round of the Cup Winners Cup next week. But they were clearly struggling for form.

The Smirnoff Irish League club play at the 20,000-capacity Oval stadium in the fiercely Loyalist community of East Belfast, around three miles from the city centre.

Squeezed in between the busy international airport and the famous Harland and Wolff shipyard on the banks of the River Laggan, the cityscape was straight out of a dramatic clip from News at Ten.

Giant British Army troop carriers cruised the dual carriageway opposite the stadium during the match.

And the local housing estate was festooned with Union Jack flags, pictures of the queen and paramilitary murals on every street corner.

Even the roundabouts were painted red, white and blue!

After the peace and tranquility of Burnley's base on the coast at Newcastle you were transported into another world.

Heath again used the fixture as a chance for further experimenation and named young Paul Smith as Kurt Nogan's striking partner.

Peter Swan also passed a late fitness test on his injured heel and marshalled the defence. And it did not take long for the Clarets to get their noses in front.

A clever reverse pass from Nigel Gleghorn found Paul Smith who grasped his opportunity, hammering home a right-foot shot.

"That was a super strike and proved what a talent young Smith has. That finish was clinical," added Heath.

The Burnley pressure was relentless with Nigel Gleghorn bossing the midfield department and Smith and Nogan causing the Glentoran defenders no end of problems.

Glentoran, fielding two guest players from England - former Bolton pro Steve Burkes and Wigan Athletic's Neill Rimmer - conceded a second on the stroke of half-time.

A minute earlier Gleghorn had had an effort hacked off the line, but Kurt Nogan followed up his strike at Ards, rounding the goalkeeper to slide the ball home with Smith again the supply line.

Smith had a hand in Burnley's third too, slicing open the Glentoran defence for the impressive Gleghorn to run the ball into an empty net.

A fierce bust-up threatened to sour the game after Gerry Harrison felt the full-force of a head-butt, unseen by the referee.

The official quickly sorted out the fracas that followed. Burnley then lost Gleghorn, substituted after falling awkwardly and twisting his ankle.

But Burnley were not finished yet and still had time to add to their goal tally and for Kurt Nogan to grab his second of the match.

A crisp pass over the top of the Glentoran defence beat the off-side trap and last season's leading scorer drilled the ball home past the helpless goalkeeper.

While pre-season games often provide an unreliable guide to future prospects, it was, nonetheless, a thoroughly impressive performance from the Clarets.

Burnley wind up their Northern Ireland tour against Crusaders in Belfast tomorrow.

GLENTORAN: Hutchinson, Mathieson, Smith, Walker, Devine, Rimmer, Burkes, Kirk, Cook, Batey, Findlay.

BURNLEY: Beresford, Weller, Eyres, Harrison, Winstanley, Swan, Matthew, Thompson, Nogan, Smith (Boer 80) , Gleghorn (Brass 65). Subs (not used): Russell (gk), Bambo, Hoyland.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.