Coppull United

Ground 11

Match 11

Blainscough Park

Attentance 85

Admission Free

Programme No

Distance  8 miles

West Lancs Premier

Coppull United Blue and white stripes blue shorts black socks entertain Burnley United , claret jerseys,shorts,blue socks .

Excellent sunny night as i made my way through Euxton and Charnock Richard towards Blainscough Park past the Springfield pub and onto Springfield Road North leading to Springfield Road and Coppull United .
Players were still arriving and others were warming up on the pitch which was surrounded by a three foot perimeter fence/part advertising boards .











 Made my way round the pitch to the far side were Burnley players were loosening up . There was a high netted surround behind the goal to stop the ball straying too far . I retrieved a few balls lining up next to a nettle infested hedge , scraping my legs in the process . The Burnley United contngent were in a jovial mood and we shared a few comments and laughed .

Coppull try to take the initiative as the home team putting a few good moves together in midfield but lacking the final ball . Forwards were moving into space but the service was poor . . Burnley were similar , not finding the illusive final pass . It was fairly even until Coppull managed to get the breakthrough with a simple tap in from six yards after 20 minutes .
Burnley seemed to lack a leader and were nearly punished again when the Coppull outside left created an opening but shot over and wide from 15 yards out .
Burnley's keeper stepped up to the mark and began shouting and taking charge . This seemed to put more urgency in the team and they began to look more confident despite being a goal down . Coppull were looking reasonably comfortable when their keeper miscued a clearance straight to a Burnley forward who capitalised on the error with a goal . This gave Burnley the initiative and before half-time their number 11 was brought down near the penalty area and was awarded a free kick . Coppulls keeper positioned his four man wall to his left and stood on the same side leaving a gaping hole for The Burnley forward to aim  and score their second .

Half-time 2-1 to Burnley United .

Ten minutes had cost Coppull who seemed to be in the driving seat before they created hard work for themselves .
Refreshments
Pint of Bitter £2.40 Tea/coffee/hot chocolate 60p crisps 50p - very reasonable indeed and pleasant staff . There seemed to be a large Burnley United contingent and the atmosphere was friendly , everyone laughing and joking , making the most of the fine weather .

 After the restart  Clarets were pushing forward and made several chances resulting in a one on one with the keeper which was elequently finished low and hard into the net .
At 3-1 Burnley were cruising and Coppull were in danger of capitulating and leaking goals but managed to graft back into the game . Tackles were 'flying' in just like the 'plane overhead and a mystery balloon hovering in the sunlit sky.
Coppulls number sixteen managed to get away with a few nudges on his opponents before he fell victim to a thumping tackle by Burnley's number four . The referee was quick on the mark to simmer the situation down as Coppulls number four appeared to poke a finger in the Burnley players face who just smirked and didn't take the ' bait .'
Both players (16&4) received yellow cards and the Clarets number four was in for more 'tasty' tackles before the game finished falling victim to a late challenge by Coppulls number six who received yellow .

Coppull couldn't find another goal and the game ended Coppull United 1-3 Burnley United .
Thoroughly captivating match for many reasons , cut and thrust tackles,goals,missesand a low flying aeroplane .
Match officials - had to cope with several affrays and were quick on the scene ,could argue a couple of players might have received red cards instead of yellows but did well to keep all 22 players on the pitch . Tough physical encounter and stood up to the task . Missed a few pushes and nudges and made some close calls on 'offsides.'
9 out of 10

Coppull will feel Burnley's two first half goals were preventable and be disappointed not to take at least a point . Burnley got over a lack-lustre first half an hour and never looked back after equalising .

Footage including scuffle and UFO incident .

Coppull United 16th august 2011">