IT'S a case of so far so good for Stan Ternent after Burnley opened their pre-season programme under the new boss with a comfortable 4-0 win over Dawlish Town.

The first of five warm-up games at first-team level was a low-key affair at the Western League venue which is within a stone's throw of the seashore and which has a solitary wooden stand on only one side of the ground.

But with fitness the key concern for Ternent at this stage the match-which brought goals for Andy Payton (penalty), Andy Cooke, Colin Carr-Lawton and Paul Smith-proved a useful exercise as part of Burnley's training trip to the south-west which continues with a visit to Elmore FC tomorrow night.

"It was a good work-out. They did okay but basically the result's not important. As I said beforehand it's a case of getting match fitness and me having a chance to look at the players," stated Ternent, who was happy to report no injuries. "There's a lot of things I can work on and there were some decent performances there.

"They had a go and that's all I can ask of them at this stage. We have got another three-and-a-half weeks to go so when the ball moves against Bristol Rovers I hope we will be better prepared."

Three of the four strikers on show got on the scoresheet for the Clarets, who also kept a clean sheet with various permutations fielded across the back four.

"They have all had a bit of a run-out, some have had longer than others, and I will change it around on Tuesday. Really it's only about fitness," added Ternent who had his charges back out on the training ground near their Exeter University base the following morning.

Ironically while Burnley-whose travelling support of over 500 delighted the Dawlish officials-make the short trip up to Tiverton to face Elmore tomorrow night, Bristol Rovers will be playing in the same town.

Rovers, at Turf Moor for the opener on August 8, play FA Vase holders Tiverton Town.

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