Thompson and Burnley inject romance into a bitterly cold affair

Burnley 3 West Brom 1:BURNLEY'S CUP adventures continued when two goals from Steve Thompson saw them through to a fifth-round tie against either Arsenal or Cardiff, though after just 6,635 watched them put out a poor West Brom last night the club's accountants will be hoping for a shot at the Gunners.

It would be unfair to two sides who did their best on a bitterly cold evening to suggest this was like watching paint dry, though as someone remarked at the sight of a half-full stadium, it was a bit like watching the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. The magic of the FA Cup was somewhere else, even if there was romance in the result. Well, all the romance involved cup specialists Burnley, the team that terrified Tottenham here last month, prospering against a below-strength Albion side eight league places above them.

Albion’s Roman Bednar was quick to establish himself as an attacking threat with a couple of early flicks and knockdowns. Burnley moved the ball about but did not threaten Scott Carson until almost half an hour had passed. As soon as Albion were penalised for handball the crowd struck up a chant for Robbie Blake, and even though the free-kick was some 30 yards out the winger’s effort was only inches over the bar.

As the interval neared the home side looked to be gaining the upper hand, though Brian Jensen had to make the best save of the half when Marc-Antoine Fortune sprang Burnley’s offside trap and Bednar followed up with a powerful shot. Burnley were not to be denied and in added time the route one approach paid off. Jensen’s hoof reached the edge of the Albion area, where it was only half-headed out and fell for Wade Elliott, who beat Carson with a well-struck dipping volley.

After the break Bednar glanced a header wide and soon lived to regret it. Burnley advanced down the left, Christian Kalvenes clipped a cross over for Martin Paterson at the far post, and though his header struck the back of a defender, Thompson scored with a thumping close-range shot.

Burnley gave Albion a way back on the hour when they wasted at least two good opportunities to clear before Gianni Zuiverloon scored. Thompson’s second goal eased Burnley nerves after a great dribble into the area by Blake.

BURNLEY: Jensen, Alexander, Duff, Caldwell, Kalvenes, McDonald (Gudjonsson 80), Elliott, McCann, Blake, Paterson (Rodriguez 90), Thompson (MacDonald 90). Subs not used: Penny, Carlisle, Akinbiyi, Mahon. Booked: Caldwell.

WEST BROM: Carson, Zuiverloon, Donk, Pele, Cech, Kim, Dorrans, Simpson (Brunt 36), Filipe Teixeira (Hoefkens 57), Fortune, Bednar. Subs not used: Kiely, Robinson, Koren, Martis, Morrison.

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire).