Stone: Perfect Way To Finish

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Under-23s draw 2-2 with Chelsea to sign off on a high note

2021-05-21T14:04:47.361Z

Stone: Perfect Way To Finish

Under-23s draw 2-2 with Chelsea to sign off on a high note

2021-05-21T14:04:47.361Z

Under-23s draw 2-2 with Chelsea to sign off on a high note

Steve Stone saw the Under-23s’ draw with Chelsea as the perfect ending to the Clarets’ season as they signed off in style.

The Clarets twice came from behind as the final game of the season at Turf Moor – ahead of the pitch’s summer up-grade – ended in a 2-2 draw.

Goals from Bobby Thomas and substitute Joel Mumbongo cancelled out second-half strikes from the Blues, who had finished second to champions Manchester City in the top tier of Premier League 2.

And Stone felt the friendly fixture had ticked all the boxes for his players ahead of the summer break.

“The idea was to play at Turf Moor for the boys to experience that,” said the Under-23s’ boss, whose side has used the County FA HQ at Leyland and Curzon Ashton as their home bases this season.

“Because of Covid we haven’t been able to play there this year but also we had some of the loan lads back – Bobby Thomas and Adam Phillips – and we wanted to look at them as well.

“That’s as strong a 23s’ team we are able to put out. If you look at the bench Joel Mumbongo is there, having just come back from injury, and others that would normally be in and around that team.

“That’s what this football club needs. It needs competition for places and it showed that.

“The game was there not for us to worry about league positions or anything like that, it was to see where are at this level.

“At that, we’re not too far off. But we need to keep building.”

The Clarets and Chelsea – under the charge of former Clarets’ defender Jon Harley – both included a couple of trialists with a potential eye on next season.

Young pros keen to make their mark after signing up at Turf Moor

And Burnley will be keen to kick on after an impressive first season in PL2 after gaining category one status of their own last summer.

Stone’s side finished seventh in the Second Division – just a couple of points away from a play-off place – and will be looking to strengthen during the close season after holding their own against the Londoners.

“We were a little a bit disappointed we didn’t get in the play-offs but pleased, overall, with the way the season has gone,” Stone added.

“This was a great way to finish. It was a really competitive game. Chelsea came with a real intent to win the game so it was a perfect game for us.

“They are the levels we have to get to. That’s the Premier League – Category One. We know Chelsea spend a lot of money but we don’t use than an excuse.

“To finish it off like that, at Turf, against Chelsea, 2-2 in a proper game where they have some really good players out – as did we – made for a good occasion.”