Match Report 2001-2002

Wednesday 20 March, 2002, Division One

Burnley Away

City edging to saftey

Nicky Law can sit back and smile at the Thursday morning papers. Reporters and photographers were massed at Turf Moor to watch the debut of Paul Gascoigne, his City side made sure that the former England man gave them nothing of note to write about.

Neither will these reports will not tell of how the former Everton, Spurs and Lazio man might be past his best, but here comes Glenn Little or Robbie Blake or whoever to fill the void. City managed to keep the major players in the promotion chasing Clarets very quiet.

Which is not to say that the home side did not enjoy chances, David Johnson (David Johnson again? Does he loan to whoever is playing us? Expect a move to Crewe today) went close twice before scoring on twenty minutes with a close range finish following a head down from a corner, but rather that City were less brittle than of late. David Wetherall joined Mark Bower at the back and added solidity that had been missing.

Wetherall's return was warmly greeted by the travllers from the nice side of the Pennines as was the ousting of Lee Sharpe and Andy Tod, niether included in the squad of 16 and both rumoured to be on their way out of Valley Parade sooner rather than later.

In the place of Sharpe was Eoin Jess, ineffectual on the left side with his tendency to cut onto his right foot and ability to use twelve touches where another player would use two. On the right side Claus Jorgensen, a revelation of sorts.

Jorgensen was once dubbed the Danish Paul Gascoigne. Like the younger version of the Burnley 34 "Jorgi" can beat a man with the ball, Gascognine Senior has lost this skill, sitting deep his presence was nullified by constant harrying from Jamie Lawrence and Stuart McCall, who won the midfield battle with Gazza and Kevin Ball.

City ran the second half and deserved the Claus Jorgensen equaliser that bobbled in after a failed corner was kept alive by a David Wetherall head back into the box. Ashley Ward impressed with his hold up play, Danny Cadamarteri enjoyed playing on the break, his best moment a cross from the left that perfectly picked out Jorgensen, the Dane should have pulled the trigger but tried to beat a man and lost the chance to give City a lead that would have been deserved for the quality of teh away display.

Alan Combe worked some magic in the City goal once or twice, back on form following a disappointing display at Rotherham. "Doing his job" was Nicky Law's assessment of his keepers scramble and dive to save a vintage Gascogne free kick, perhaps his job should stretch into next year and the year after.

Burnley could make the play offs, but you would fear for them in the Premiership. City edge closer to safety, but need to cement it. We have seven points on third bottom Walsall. A win on Saturday at home to Crewe and the nerves can be settled for the year and we can get back to chasing promotion again.

Man of the Match

Jamie Lawrence

Is playing his way into a senior Pro role in Nicky Law's young team.

City Team:

Combe
Halle Wetherall Bower Jacobs
Jorgesen McCall Lawrence Jess
Ward Cadamarteri

Subs: Gareth Whalley for Jess