U23 REPORT: West Bromwich Albion 2 Burnley 1

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Fightback comes up short for Clarets as experienced Baggies hold on

2021-03-08T15:06:44.733Z

U23 REPORT: West Bromwich Albion 2 Burnley 1

Fightback comes up short for Clarets as experienced Baggies hold on

2021-03-08T15:06:44.733Z

Fightback comes up short for Clarets as experienced Baggies hold on

Goals from regular first-teamers Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson overcame the Clarets as Steve Stone’s men missed out on the chance to climb into third place and the PL2 Second Division play-off zone.

Diangana and Robinson were among four senior players included by West Bromwich Albion in a fixture switched to the Hawthorns.

And their goals five minutes apart in the second half were ultimately enough to earn the victory that lifted the Baggies off the foot of the table.

But despite the gulf in experience, the Clarets pushed West Brom all the way with a second goal for the club from midfielder Anthony Gomez-Mancini setting up a late fightback.

U23 REPORT: West Bromwich Albion 2 Burnley 1 - Image 1

Burnley then had chances to earn a point their performance deserved but couldn’t make their pressure pay and finished the game with 10 men following Richard Nartey's late dismissal to remain just off the play-off pace.

The Clarets had beaten Albion a week ago, but this was a different proposition as the Baggies included a quartet of established first-team players.

Midfielders Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers played as over-age players, along with former Preston and Sheffield United wideman Robinson after the trio had all been unused substitutes in a goalless Premier League draw with Newcastle United 24 hours earlier.

And winger Diangana was also given a run-out as the Baggies looked to end a run of six successive defeats.

Burnley had an added smattering of first-team experience themselves as defender Jimmy Dunne was given some game time in a back four which also included Jordan Cropper after recovering from the hamstring injury the full-back sustained following the end of his loan spell at Chesterfield.

U23 REPORT: West Bromwich Albion 2 Burnley 1 - Image 2

And despite the potential creativity in the home ranks, it was the Clarets who had the better chances to lead by the break thanks to a flurry of openings around the half hour mark.

A typical twisting run from Lewis Richardson ended with an effort saved by keeper Ted Cann before Joel Mumbongo – who had scored twice in the Clarets’ win last Monday – was put through by Josh Benson but dragged his shot wide.

Dunne - a commanding figure alongside Nartey - then headed down an Anthony Glennon free-kick with no-one able to get a decisive touch in front of goal.

And with Burnley unable to break the deadlock they fell behind 11 minutes into the second half.

The Baggies had barely created a chance but punished the Clarets for a sloppy passage of play as they worked the ball across the pitch for Diangana to work his way into the box and squeeze a shot past Lukas Jensen – back in Burnley’s goal but still on loan at Bolton.

U23 REPORT: West Bromwich Albion 2 Burnley 1 - Image 3

One quickly became two as West Brom doubled their lead with just over an hour gone as their senior men made their presence felt.

Livermore had just planted a header against the woodwork when Diangana turned provider with a low cross which was tucked away by Robinson.

It looked a long way back for the Clarets but a rapid response quickly revived their hopes as the visitors halved the deficit just two minutes later.

The Baggies couldn’t clear as another Lennon free-kick pinged around the penalty area and after Richardson’s shot had been blocked, Gomez-Mancini pounced to crash home the loose ball with a fierce first-time strike.

That signalled a late push for a leveller, with Rob Harker making a welcome return from the bench for the final 15 minutes after a lengthy absence with a knee injury.

But the best chances fell to Ne-Jai Tucker and then Richardson as the Clarets did everything to try and find an equaliser.

Tucker saw his shot deflected wide after collecting a pass from Gomez-Mancini and Richardson then burst into the box again following an excellent through-ball from substitute Dara Costelloe.

But the skipper poked his attempted finish just the wrong side of the post as the Clarets - who had Nartey given a harsh-looking red card for pulling back Robinson as he broke towards goal - tasted defeat for the first time in three games.

Burnley: Jensen; Cropper, Nartey, Dunne, Glennon; Thompson, Gomez-Mancini, Benson, Tucker (Costelloe 83); Richardson, Mumbongo (Harker 76). Substitutes: Richter, Unwin, Taranis.

West Bromwich Albion: Cann; Ingram, Sharpe, Delaney, Hermon; Iroegbunam; Diangara, Sawyers, Livermore, Robinson; Windsor. Substitutes: Emery, Shotton, King, Richards, Malcolm.