A Wednesday side managed last year by Danny Cadamarteri took the lead with just nine minutes gone as they looked to extend their undefeated start to the campaign.

But Cropper’s treble before the break ensured all three points for Cadamarteri’s current side as the young Clarets joined Nottingham Forest at the top of the northern section of the Professional Development League.

The away side took the lead early on after a neat move was finished off in the area, with a sweet strike into the bottom corner.

But Cropper (above) quickly got the Clarets level as he opened his account after chasing down a long ball and showing the strength to win possession before coolly slotting home.

Minutes later the Clarets took the lead, Kian Yari dinking a nice ball into the area for Cropper, who turned the ball home with a bicycle-kick to make it 2-1.

And shortly before the break, the striker completed a 17-minute hat-trick after finding space in the penalty area to fire home.

The Owls looked to hit back after the break but were denied by an excellent save from Adam Bruce, who preserved the Clarets’ two-goal lead.

Burnley looked to have got a fourth and another for Cropper when he rose highest and headed home at the front post but the effort was ruled out for a foul on the Wednesday keeper.

But despite the visitors best effort’s to pull a goal back, Burnley looked very comfortable in protecting their advantage and saw the game out well to wrap up a fifth win in seven games.

Burnley: Bruce, Moss, Clarke (Fowler 61), Thomas, Mpofu, Kershaw, Yari, Jumeau, Meredith (Samms 75), Mupariwa, Cropper. Substitutes: Wusiewicz, Harris, Taylor.

Burnley U18s 3 Sheffield Wednesday U18s 1

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