Blake's in at the double for Clarets

EXACTLY two years to the day after losing to the Isle of man the Clarets set the record straight with a confident display to end their Isle of Man Steam Packet Tournament.

First half goals from the strike pair of Robbie Blake and Dimitri Papadopoulos set them on the way to victory and the only surprise was they did not get many more as they dominated the first half.

Blake did net a second and Andy Payton scored within 30 seconds of joining the action to give the score a more realistic appearance.

The limited nature of the opposition renders the result meaningless but once again it was a useful work out for the 16 players who took part.

Burnley boss Stan Ternent again rang the changes with five alterations to the side beaten by Luton Town but injuries continued to deny him the chance to give Ian Cox and Gordon Armstrong a game.

Robbie Blake and Dimitri Papadopoulos started in attack and both had good early chances, the former producing a sharp turn, the latter failing to control Alan Moore's through ball.

The young Greek striker was again involved when he rose to try and meet a high ball but only won a corner.

The best early chance came to Tony Grant in the 10th minute after Blake had released Dean West down the right. His pull back found the midfielder but Paddy Horne deflected his shot over the bar.

Five minutes later they had a scare when Arthur Gnohere was robbed by Kevin Megson but as he bore down on goal he opted to square the ball and Gnohere won it back.

Burnley then took the lead as Blake showed his quick feet by creating space in the area, beating a couple of men and squeezing a left foot shot past Dawson.

That gave Burnley greater impetus and Grant saw a shot saved and Little's drive deflected behind off Nigel Shimmin after good play by Papadopoulos. The striker should then have increased the lead but he headed wide an inviting West cross in the 22nd minute.

Burnley should have had a penalty when Mark McGregor was felled two yards inside the box but the referee Peter Lewis spotted the ball up two inches outside.

Blake was looking sharp and his clever pass sent Grant through but it was blocked for a corner. Little then hammered a drive over the bar.

Burnley got the second goal they deserved in the 33rd minute when Blake put Moore in down the left and his cross was fumbled by the keeper and nodded home by Papadopoulos.

The Greek had missed one earlier and he missed another when Moore delivered a wonderful cross but it was headed over.

It was exhibition stuff and a flowing move almost brought another goal for Papadopoulos but his dink past the keeper after Cook's through ball was cleared.

Ternent made two changes at the break with Lee Briscoe coming on for Cook and Marlon Beresford replacing Michopoulos while the hosts also changed their keeper, John Ward coming on for Kelvin Dawson.

He was called into action in the 50th minute when Moore and Blake again linked well and McGregor, operating at left back, shot at the sub.

Moore immediately made way for Graham Branch, given a more attacking role than in the previous games. The third change in midfield saw Steve Davis replace Grant a minute later.

On the hour Papadopoulos had yet another chance, this time down to his own endeavour, but he was denied by the keeper's stop at his near post.

The Isle of Man continued to work hard but the gulf in class was as wide as the Irish Sea between Ramsey and Heysham but they did force their first corner in the 64th minute.

Three minutes later a cool Blake finish at last saw the Clarets increase their lead and was the signal for the last sub Andy Payton to come on for Papadopoulos.

It took him less than a minute to find the net as he tapped in from Branch's square ball after Marlon Broomes had played a fine forward ball.

The Isle of Man recorded their first shot on target with 17 minutes to go as Johnny Myers thudded a free kick into Beresford's chest. They then forced a couple of corners and Beresford kept out Gnohere's hurried clearance.

If Burnley were thinking of coasting thay reckoned without the boss who first walked behind Beresford's goal and then onto the pitch to get his message across.

The hosts ended with a half shout for a penalty but were left with nothing to celebrate except the anniversary of their greatest ever day.

Last night Burnley were clearly determined it would not happen again, a fact illustrated by the skipper's last minute header to make it five after a corner failed to be cleared.

BURNLEY

Michopoulos, West, Broomes, Gnohere, McGregor, Little, Grant, Cook, A Moore, Papadopoulos, Blake. Subs: Briscoe for Cook h-t, Beresford for Michopoulos h-t, Branch for Moore 51, Davis for Grant 52, Payton for Papadopoulos 70