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Joe: First Goal Crucial - Ipswich Town News

Boss Joe Royle felt that Burnley's fortunate opening goal was crucial to his side's 3-0 defeat at Turf Moor. The Town manager thought the home team got better as the game wore on.

Royle said: "The first goal was vital, a cruel deflection when we were well on top, passing everywhere but not threatening goal.

"As the game wore on they got more and more confident. We gave away a silly freekick for the second goal and then they were cruising."

Irish youngster Owen Garvan received praise from his manager for his influential performance: "Owen Garvan was excellent for us all night and we weaved pretty patterns all over the pitch with our passing but we never hurt them. We passed, they had shots and scored goals, and scoring goals is what the game is all about.

"To be honest, Burnley could have come off and I still don't think we would have scored!

"We had one or two with tired legs out there, but overall if you offered me three points from two away games before Saturday I would have taken them."

Burnley manager Steve Cotterill felt it was an important victory for his side: "That was a big, big win for us tonight but one we deserved.

"In the first half they had more of the possession without really hurting us but we gave a big performance.

"Frank Sinclair could have come off [injured] after 10 minutes but he stayed on and that typified the performance by everyone.

"We needed a touch of luck but we will take a deflection as it's the only bit of luck we have had."

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