Burnley 1 – 1 Peterborough United
Location: Turf Moor
Date: 4th February, 2012
Attendance: 13,258
After a few poor performances, Posh looked to have turned the corner and are starting to get back to the form that saw themselves around the play-off positions earlier in the season.
However, a late strike by the dangerous Jay Rodriguez just three minutes from time, denied Posh all three points after a wonder Paul Taylor strike in the 12th minute had given Posh the lead.
Posh boss Darren Ferguson made a few changes to the squad for this match with Danny Kearns returning to the bench following a period of rest and Lee Tomlin also dropping down to the bench following some below par performances. Tomlin`s starting place went to David Ball.
With the match fitness starting to return to Little, McCann and Frecklington following their recent injuries, the Posh side looked more settled and comfortable as they deployed their usual midfield diamond formation.
Posh produced an impressive display in the first half as they dominated proceedings with their attractive passing. They caused many problems for Burnley and apart from two chances, Posh failed to test the home keeper as they again found problems getting past the opposition defence!
Those two chances fell to the front two players – Taylor and Ball. Firstly, some quick thinking by goalkeeper Joe Lewis spotted a chance and kicked the ball quickly and accurately and as the ball bounced, Paul TAYLOR beat the defender to the ball and raced towards the penalty area before unleashing an unstoppable shot that blasted into the top right hand corner of the net after only twelve minutes.
The second chance came just four minutes later when a header forward by Boyd was missed by Taylor and the two Burnley central defenders but ended up at David Balls feet who ran into the area but could only watch as Grant got his finger tips to his shot and touch the ball onto the post. The on-rushing Boyd attempted to get to the rebound but Grant just managed to grab hold of the ball.
Burnley did create a number of chances themselves in the first half with two of those falling to Charlie Austin but on both occasions, he headed straight at keeper Lewis. Lewis was tested more though with some good efforts including a Ross Wallace shot that bounced awkwardly.
A good run by Rowe set up Boyd but he couldn`t keep his shot on target. With Posh passing the ball around well, they created an opening for Ball down the right but with three Posh players waiting in the area unmarked, he failed to find a man in blue!
In between these efforts, Burnley created another opening for Austin but Lewis was once again up to the challenge as he beat the ball away.
The final effort of the half should`ve fallen to Taylor but Frecklington failed to spot him and shot wide instead.
Half-time: Burnley 0 – 1 Peterborough United
After an excellent first half display by Posh which could`ve seen them two or three goals to the good, the second half was a huge disappointment.
Burnley boss Eddie Howe must`ve borrowed the hairdryer from Darrens dad as Burnley came out fighting.
It took just two minutes to test out Lewis again after Trippier had the first effort of the half. Rodriguez was next to try his luck but his deflected shot was pushed round the post by Lewis for a corner.
Rodriguez then tried from distance but Lewis, again, kept Posh`s noses in front.
If Posh were the dominant force in the first half, Burnley were definitely in charge of the second half. The only difference between the performances was the ability of Burnley to turn their domination into chances?something Posh are having problems doing.
Chris McCann and Rodriguez both had efforts just after the hour mark as firstly McCann firm header went sailing over the bar before a Rodriguez shot was blocked by Gaby Zakuani which saw the ball nestle into the side netting.
With 20 minutes remaining, both sides made their first substitution. Keith Treacy, who was with Fergie at Preston last season, replaced McQuoid for Burnley while youngster Ryan Tunnicliffe replaced Lee Frecklington for Posh.
The change almost paid dividends straight away for the Clarets as Treacy pinched the ball of Ball but he could only fire wide of the target.
With the clock counting down, Posh must`ve thought luck was on their side after a massive appeal for a penalty by Burnley was turned down by the referee after the ball appeared to hit Mark Little`s arm. It was not to be though as Boyd played the ball to left back Alcock, who had had a very good game, lumped the ball up field straight to a Burnley player who passed the ball to Rodriguez just inside the Posh half.
With McCann closing him down, RODRIGUEZ made a diagonal run from Posh`s left to the right. McCann wasn`t close enough to Rodriguez who, when realised he was coming up towards right back Little, switched the ball onto his right foot, effortlessly going past the flat footed Little to plant his clinical shot past Lewis for the equaliser.
Posh were gutted after putting in a good battling second half display but in all honesty, the equaliser was fully deserved.
Full-time: Burnley 1 – 1 Peterborough United
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Photo courtesy of www.theposhpics.com
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