SEASON REVIEW: U23s PART ONE

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With another campaign coming to an end, we take a look back over the U23s season month by month…

2022-06-02T13:00:00.000Z

SEASON REVIEW: U23s PART ONE

With another campaign coming to an end, we take a look back over the U23s season month by month…

2022-06-02T13:00:00.000Z

With another campaign coming to an end, we take a look back over the U23s season month by month…

AUGUST

With the additions of midfielder Mark Helm and defender Jacob Bedeau, the U23s prepared for a second season in the Premier League 2, Division 2.

Under the new management of Mike Jackson, the squad also had players such as Max Thompson and Owen Dodgson who had signed their first professional contracts with the Clarets in the summer.

A busy pre-season schedule for the youngsters included a week-long trip to Scotland and a tournament hosted by non-league side Lancaster City as well as convincing victories against all three of Wrexham AFC, Stockport County & Blackburn Rovers’ U23s.

When the PL2 campaign finally got underway in mid-August, the side however struggled to turn performances into points initially, suffering 3-2 losses to both West Brom and Sunderland. There was also defeat away at Newcastle before the month was out.

SEPTEMBER

Having put the first international break of the season to good use, Jackson’s side returned to action with renewed energy and soon, the successes started to come.

Two goals in injury time turned the contest on its head in a win 3-2 against Rochdale in the first of three Central League Cup group stage matches, while a draw against Wolves at Turf Moor saw Burnley pick up their first league point. Thompson the man on the scoresheet from the penalty spot that night.

On September 19, the longest trip of the season down to the South Coast rewarded the Clarets with their first maximum, beating Southampton 2-0 in a game played at St Mary’s.

Victory over Reading at the County Ground in Leyland saw the side end the month in a distinct turnaround from the opening of the campaign.

OCTOBER

October kick-started with a dramatic 1-1 draw away at Nottingham Forest, conceding in the 92nd minute before full back Anthony Glennon netted an equaliser less than 120 seconds later.

Sheffield United were next up, Burnley beginning their Premier League Cup group stage campaign with a 3-0 away win, including another one to add to the tally for young striker Michael Mellon, making the transition from the U18s look seamless.

There was also three points when back in league action in a goal-fest at home to Norwich City, coming out on the right side of a 4-3 scoreline, and a 2-0 winning margin against Middlesbrough too.

In a jam-packed month, the only two defeats came in the Premier League Cup, losing 2-1 and 2-0 to Peterborough United (home) and Everton (away) respectively.

NOVEMBER

Scottish youth international Mellon - along with Ne-Jai Tucker - both continued their fine form in front of goal as Burnley began November with a 2-1 win at Birmingham City on the first day of the month.

A tough spell then saw three consecutive defeats in the PL2 to eventual league winners Fulham, then second-placed Aston Villa and eventual play-off runners-up Stoke.

However, notably in the month, there was success in the first round of the Lancashire Senior Cup for Jackson’s side. Coming via a penalty shootout after a goalless draw, League Two outfit Barrow AFC were the team to be defeated at Gawthorpe.

The Bluebirds - who would go on to loan defender Glennon from the Clarets - had a number of first-teamers on show.

DECEMBER

After an action-filled few months, Covid-19 postponements and fixture re-arrangements were the tune of the festive season for the U23s. In fact, just two games were played out in December, though both brought positive results.

Four points were earned by the Clarets, the first in a 1-1 draw at home to Nottingham Forest as Ben Woods found his eye for goal.

Midway through the 12 days of Christmas, Irishman Dara Costelloe shone with his first two goals in the PL2 as he and his teammates took three points with three goals - and a clean sheet - up in the North East.

Glennon also netted from the penalty spot against Middlesbrough, the first side whom Jackson’s side had done the league double over.

Part two will be published shortly…