A brand new season brings with it a new chance at silverware. A chance then for the Clarets to make a start on the back of their famous Champions league win a few days ago. They must however put that behind them now, as a new season awaits them.

Today's challengers, Dave Ravers would be no pushover, and in the first round of the cup, the fixtures computer kindly put the Clarets up against a, on paper, stronger opponent, a division above. A packed United park had 3,000 eager supporters to fill it, as a recently updated stadium gave the Clarets a bigger voice in these vital matches.

Onto the match, and it was a rather odd beginning to affairs with the Clarets in their favoured 4-4-2 formation dominated the early exchanges with 80% possession, a stat that would last the entire game. It took the Clarets 30 minutes for them to break down the Ravers defence, who simply had no response to the wing threat provided by Sandor and Fitzsimons.

However it was that familiar partnership of Suarez and Keane that would find the breakthrough. A Keane throughball lifted over the two centre backs, would set Suarez off on a dash to the ball, to which he caught on the volley and struck past the on-rushing keeper. 1-0 to the Clarets and a surprising lead given the pre-match nerves.

On 42 minutes a substitution as Van Galen was tiring it was decided to give Velasco his club début at CB. A free kick allowed him onto the pitch, and his first sight of the potent Suarez up front, who got on the end of Fitzsimons free kick with a header in off the post to make it 2-0 just before the break. The Clarets dominating possession and the score-sheet.

It was much of the same in the second half, and within 6 minutes of the restart, it was that man again, Suarez whowould complete his hat-trick with a weaving run past two defenders, and slotting past the keeper, to make it three for him and three for the Clarets. 3-0 to the Clarets and the second round now in sight.

Following a foul on Keane a free kick on 62 minutes allowed the young striker to step up and get in on the act with a sublime free kick into the roof of the net to make it 4 on the night, and his first of the season in his first game.

On 71 Minutes, a Fitzsimons corner kick was found by Gerrard with a powerful header past the hapless keeper to make it 5-0 to the Clarets, who are all but assured of a second round berth.

Can the Clarets progress further in the cup this year??

Final Result: Fusion United 5-0 Dave Ravers