FA CUP MATCH REPORT: READING 1

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FA CUP MATCH REPORT: READING 1 - 3 BURNLEY (AET)

Substitute Zian Flemming fires Clarets into fourth round

2025-01-11T18:52:29.997Z

FA CUP MATCH REPORT: READING 1 - 3 BURNLEY (AET)

Substitute Zian Flemming fires Clarets into fourth round

2025-01-11T18:52:29.997Z

FARRELL PROUD OF U21S PLAYERS FOLLOWING FIRST TEAM EXPERIENCE - Image 1

Zian Flemming's brace in extra time saw the Clarets book their place in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 3-1 win over Reading on Saturday afternoon.

Lyle Foster gave Burnley the lead in the 71st minute, after the South Africa striker turned home Joe Bauress' perfect delivery, only for Reading's Lewis Wing to equalise for the hosts just minutes later.

With the scores level after 90 minutes, the game proceeded to extra time and the Clarets got their second goal 10 minutes in when Flemming slotted home from inside the area. Nine minutes later the Dutch striker turned home his second and the visitors' third to put the game out of reach.

Scott Parked had made wholesale changes to his side with XI players making way from last time out in the win against Blackburn Rovers last weekend.

January signing Oliver Sonne was handed his debut since arriving from Silkeborg, with Joe Worrall and John Egan partnering in central defence.

Academy youngsters Tommy McDermott and Bauress were given their first starts for the Club.

Two more from the academy, Tom Tweedy and Charlie Veevers, were also named on the bench.

While Lyle Foster made his first start since October after recovering from a lengthy injury.

FA CUP GALLERY: READING V BURNLEY - Gallery Photo 14

Burnley started bright on a crisp afternoon in Berkshire and had a couple of early opportunities on goal. Foster firing over the crossbar from inside the area, while Luca Koleosho went just wide of the target moments later.

Koleosho then saw his low drive from inside the box denied by the hands of David Button, as the Clarets continued to dominate the early stages of the cup tie.

The visitors once again came close to grabbing the opener with only 12 minutes played. Foster’s guided header from a corner came off the outside of the post, with Egan then glancing it over the bar from close range.

Parker’s men were now dominating the ball and enjoying plenty of possession and had another opportunity on goal midway through the first-half, when Bauress rifled an effort from 25-yards out just over the target.

A chance fell Reading’s way just after the half-hour mark, when Royals defender Tyler Bindon rose highest from a free-kick, but the youngster could only head over the oncoming Vaclav Hladky and the crossbar.

FA CUP GALLERY: READING V BURNLEY - Gallery Photo 15

Lucas Pires was next up to try and break the deadlock, but the Brazilian full-back’s fierce effort sailed just over Button’s goal.

The final opportunity of a Burnley dominated half came from a corner, as Jay Rodriguez connected with the ball into the area, but the captain could only strike wide of the goal.

After a goalless first-half, the Clarets had an early chance in the opening stages of the second-half when Koleosho drove into the area, but could only see his effort denied by Button.

Foster then tried his luck from just outside the box, as the South Africa international raced forward, before curling the ball just past the post.

FA CUP GALLERY: READING V BURNLEY - Gallery Photo 18

Hladký was then called into action to ensure the score remained goalless just past the hour mark, as the Burnley No.32 got down well to deny Sam Smith from hammering home following a goalmouth scramble.

The Clarets finally found their breakthrough with 20 minutes left on the clock. A wonderful Bauress cross into the area turned home by Foster from close range to give Parker's side the lead.

That lead didn't last long though, as just five minutes later Wing's long-range strike somehow found a way past Hladký to draw the scores level and set up a tense final 15 minutes.

Parker then turned to his bench in the closing stages of the 90, as Mike Tresor and Bashir Humphreys replaced Koleosho and Sonne in search of a winning goal.

BAURESS GRATEFUL FOR CONSISTENCY FOLLOWING LENGTHY INJURY - Image 3

With neither team able to snatch a late winner, the cup tie proceeded to extra time and another 30 minutes of football was on the cards at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The Clarets made more changes just a few minutes into the first-half of extra-time, with Barnes making way for Zian Flemming in attack.

That change proved to be a successful one. Just moments after being introduced, Flemming fired home Tresor's cut-back, after Bauress had played a neat one-two with the winger to set up Flemming.

Half-time of extra time saw Josh Laurent introduced against his former club, with the midfielder replacing McDermott, following an impressive display from the youngster.

The cup tie was finally put out of sight with just over 10 minutes left of extra time, as Flemming turned home from close range past Button to secure Burnley's place in the fourth round.

2024/25 SEASON REVIEW: JANUARY - Image 3

Burnley: Hladky, Sonne (Humphreys 88), Worrall, Egan (Ekdal 70), Pires, McDermott (Laurent 106), Bauress, Rodriguez, Barnes (Flemming 94), Koleosho (Tresor 88), Foster

Unused substitutes: Green, Tweedy, Delcroix, Veevers

Reading: Button, Abrefa (Osho 76), Dean (Holzman 76), Knibbs, Savage, Smith, Rushesha (Ahmed 107), Wareham (Sackey 91), Bindon, Wing (Senga 113), Kanu

Unused substitutes: Pereira, Holzman, Stickland, Wellens, Borgnis

Attendance: 7,039 (1,314)

Goals: Foster 70', Wing 77', Flemming 100', Flemming 109'