Clarets beat Golds in derby

As always the Corinthians derby was a keenly anticipated affair with a big crowd (I'm sure I counted 7 🙂)! Golds started the game really brightly and created the first chance for Bill Appleby who went close went close after getting in behind the Clarets defence. As the game settled down both sides played some good passing football (although writing this from a Clarets perspective there were a few too many passes unnecessarily went astray). From a move where that wasn't the case, Clarets took the lead when Andy Partington got in behind and finished smartly. Both sides created chances during the remainder of this first half - Jim W hitting the post for the Golds and Andy P, Mike and Dave forcing Chris to save.

The second half started with both teams conscious of approaching the team 'non-walking' limit of 4 offences and when the Clarets offended first, Rob Ratcliffe equalised from the resulting penalty. The game was then evenly contested until a DOGSO penalty was awarded as Nick was about to shoot. For balance I have to add that the decision came as a surprise to me and was a bit harsh. Anyway, Andy P scored the penalty to restore Clarets lead and he then increased it shortly afterwards when Golds totted up 4 non-running offences and conceded a second penalty.* The following few minutes to the end of the game were largely uneventful.

*Whether people like the rule or not, it's clear that the new rule regarding non-running i.e. 4 team offences is a penalty, is going to be important this season. For example, in the two games Clarets have played up to now, there have been 5 penalties (3 for and 2 against - all scored). I think it's important that we continue to apply the rule in our Monday sessions so that overall we benefit more than we are penalised.