Richard Chaplow capped a dream week as Burnley avenged their hammering by
Ipswich earlier in the season with a 4-2 Nationwide Division One win at Turf
Moor.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who made his international debut for England
Under-21s against Holland on Tuesday, scored the third goal to condemn Ipswich
to a first defeat in 11 games away from home.
Not only was his marvellous volley from outside the penalty area the highlight
of a thrilling encounter, it helped Burnley banish the memory of their 6-1
thumping at Portman Road in October.
Two goals in as many first-half minutes from Glen Little and David May laid
the platform for Burnley's success, with Tommy Miller's 65th-minute effort
setting up a tense finale during which Martijn Reuser further reduced the
deficit with a delightful free-kick.
Robbie Blake made sure of maximum points in stoppage time with his 18th goal
of the season.
For Burnley, who are now unbeaten in five league matches since the turn of the
year, victory represented a welcome boost to their bid to stave off relegation,
while Ipswich manager Joe Royle is left to reflect on a wasted chance to make up
ground on the First Division's leading pack.
Although Miller tried his luck from 25 yards - Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen
made a comfortable save - there was little in the way of early chances despite
the willingness of both sides to play attractive football.
It took a timely interception from former Claret Drissa Diallo to deny Chaplow
as he prepared to shoot, but Burnley's increasing fluency paid dividends in the
26th minute when Little opened the scoring.
The ever-impressive Blake fed Paul Weller, whose left-foot shot was parried by
Ipswich goalkeeper Kelvin Davis into the path of Little.
He had the simple task of tapping into an unguarded net for his second goal in
three games, having not scored in more than nine months before his winner
against Gillingham a fortnight ago.
Blake was again the architect as Burnley doubled their advantage, his corner
from the right finding its way to the far post, where May nodded home his first
goal at Turf Moor.
Ipswich's plight was not helped by the withdrawal of Fabian Wilnis, who was
making his return from a shoulder injury, on the half hour, although Miller and
Jermaine Wright tested Jensen with long-range strikes.
Pablo Counago - Ipswich's leading scorer with 12 goals in all competitions
this season - was denied by the offside flag early in the second half, while
Little narrowly failed to cap a stunning run with the finish it merited.
Chaplow succeeded where Little failed in the 61st minute, unleashing a fierce
volley which left Davis with no chance.
Chaplow earned himself a booking shortly after Burnley's penalty claims were
waved away following John McGreal's challenge on Little, and Ipswich reduced the
deficit within seconds.
Darren Bent delivered a teasing cross from the right and Miller was on hand to
sweep the ball past Jensen.
Reuser - a 63rd-minute replacement for Shefki Kuqi - found the top corner of
Jensen's goal with a perfectly executed free-kick two minutes from time, and
Matthew Richards hit the woodwork for Ipswich before Blake converted Little's
cross to secure Burnley's first win over Town since 1974.
Teams:
Burnley: Jensen, Roche, May, McGregor, Camara, Little, Grant,
Chaplow, Weller (Orr 75), Blake, Ian Moore.
Subs Not Used: West, Alan Moore, Chadwick, Rachubka.
Booked: McGregor, Chaplow.
Goals: Little 26, May 28, Chaplow 61, Blake 90.
Ipswich: Davis, Wilnis (Richards 31), Diallo (Counago 45),
McGreal, Miller, Westlake, Magilton, Wright, Kuqi (Reuser 63),
Naylor, Bent.
Subs Not Used: Price, Santos.
Booked: Richards, Counago.
Goals: Miller 65, Reuser 88.
Att: 12,418
Ref: M Dean (Wirral).
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