High Five As Clarets Caught NAP-ping Again!

Burnley`s successful pre-season continued yesterday with another thumping 5-0 victory this time against Singapore S League club, Home United at the Tampines Stadium in Singapore. This was their second nap in a week after defeating Singapore S League club, Gombak United by the same scoreline on Tuesday in the same stadium. The Clarets have now won all four of their pre-season games to date, the first two in the UK away to Bury and Oldham. They now have just one more match to play out in Singapore before flying back to the UK on Monday. On Saturday they play a Singapore Asian Games Team in a FIS Asian Challenge Cup at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The match kicks off at 7:30pm Local time (12:30 pm UK Time).

Yesterday, Brian Laws rested both Chris McCann and Martin Paterson both players having picked up minor knocks. His starting eleven for this game against Home United was as follows:

Jensen, Mears, Cort, Duff, Fox, Edgar, Elliott, McDonald, Rodriguez, Wallace, Thompson

Once more David Edgar was tried in an holding midfield role, a position he seems to be relishing and something which gives the Clarets more options if the tactic continues to prove successful.

Despite it being monsoon season out in Singapore and the pitch quite clearly suffering, the Clarets shrugged off the poor conditions and took the lead within three minutes.

Leon Cort headed across goal from a corner and Rodriguez point blank header was then handled on the line. Rodriguez took the spot kick himself in the absence of Alexander and rifled the ball straight down the middle for the opener to score his second penalty in as many games.

The Clarets dominated most of the first half and it was 2-0 after 32 minutes thanks to a spectacular goal by Wade Elliott to equal the one he scored at Wembley at least in terms of technique if not importance! A Wallace corner from the right was parried away with the ball falling to Elliott on the edge of the box. He let rip with a stunning strike, volleying the ball into the top corner of the net to give the Clarets a 2-0 half-time lead.

Laws made three changes for the start of the second half. Eckersley replaced Mears at right back and upfront Eagles and Iwelumo came on to replace Wallace and Thompson.

The Clarets continued to press although further goals eluded them until the last 8 minute spell when three goals including a brace from new striker, Chris Iwelumo finally destroyed Home United.

On 82 minutes the persistence of Marney paid off after winning the ball 20 yards out and finding Eagles who then chipped the advancing keeper. A defender did get to the ball but not before it hasd crossed the line 3-0 Clarets!

Five minutes later it was 4-0. A Marney corner was met by a powerful header from Andre Bikey and even though his effort was saved, Iwelumo was on hand to steer home the loose ball for his second goal of the tour.

Iwelumo then got his third goal of the tour two minutes later after scoring a flying header from a prefect cross by Eagles on the right flank. Final score 5-0 Clarets and we march on!

Second Half team:

Jensen, Eckersley, Cort (Alexander 67), Duff (Carlisle 67), Fox (Easton 77), Edgar (Harvey 77), Elliott (Bikey 67), McDonald (Marney 67), Rodriguez (Fletcher 77), Eagles, Iwelumo

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