U18 REPORT: CREWE ALEXANDRA 2-1 BURNLEY

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Young Clarets fall to narrow defeat against Railwaymen

2023-02-25T08:00:00.000Z

U18 REPORT: CREWE ALEXANDRA 2-1 BURNLEY

Young Clarets fall to narrow defeat against Railwaymen

2023-02-25T08:00:00.000Z

Young Clarets fall to narrow defeat against Railwaymen

Burnley’s U18 side were beaten 2-1 by Crewe Alexandra in Professional Development League action at Alexandra Park Training Ground.

The Clarets took the lead through Trevon Bryan, who hammered home at the near post before a Railwaymen penalty was converted by Matus Holicek to level the game before the break.

Crewe substitute Lewis Nolan struck 13 minutes from time to seal the victory for the hosts in a tight game.

Tony Philliskirk made only one change to the side that recorded a dramatic late 2-1 win against Wigan Athletic last Saturday – 18th February – with Joe Ashton returning to the side to replace Oliver Sweeney at left-back.

U18 REPORT: COLCHESTER UNITED 4-0 BURNLEY - Image 3

U16 Logan Carlin also retained his place in the team, following his U18s debut in last week’s game.

First Half

The Clarets started the better of the two sides with Bryan twice testing Crewe ‘keeper Jack Flint, firstly with a low drive and then following good work between himself and Kian Le Fondre he sliced an effort straight at the Railwaymen stopper.

Callum West then saw a half-volley deflected narrowly wide as Burnley continued to assert their dominance on the opening half hour of the game.

Frankie Deane was the latest of the Young Clarets to test Flint, with a low driven strike from just outside the area before West fired over on the angle after taking down Joe Ashton’s cross.

Burnley soon made their hold on the game count, as they took the lead through Bryan – who had been impressive throughout the first half – as an excellent move from back to front started with ‘keeper Lewis Forshaw who rolled the ball to Le Fondre, who in turn slotted through Bryan to hammer in at the near post.

U18 REPORT: CREWE ALEXANDRA 2-1 BURNLEY - Image 2

Moments later however Crewe had a huge chance to level, after Ty Webster was fouled inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Holicek stepped up and sent Forshaw the wrong way to equalise in what proved to be the last action of the half as the teams went into the break level.

Second Half

The Young Clarets again started the half quickly, with Le Fondre breaking in behind the defence and attempting to lob Flint, who did well to claw away before Wiktor Gromek headed the rebound wide.

Bryan broke in behind once more minutes later and pulled a superb save out of Flint, who tipped over when it looked as though the forward had put Burnley back in front.

The Clarets continued to push for the goal to put them back in front and came extremely close to getting it, when Bryan found himself through once more following a fantastic ball over the top from Jack McEvilly and hammered a powerful strike against the post.

U18 REPORT: CREWE ALEXANDRA 2-1 BURNLEY - Image 3

The hosts began to work their way back into the game as Forshaw was forced into a save from Crewe captain Owen Lunt before substitute Rhy Allport went through one-on-one but could only slice wide.

Minutes later the Railwaymen were ahead as substitute as a cross found substitute Lewis Nolan on the edge of the area who superbly volleyed home past Forshaw.

Clarets substitute Dylan Sime shot wide and Nathan James headed an effort onto the top of the net in what proved to be the last Burnley chances of the game, as Philliskirk’s side fell to defeat.

The U18s are back in action next Saturday – 4th March – when they travel to Oakwell Training Ground to face league leaders Barnsley in the Professional Development League (11am KO).

Crewe Alexandra: Flint, Bhatti, Sant, Crolla, Kempster-Down, Washington, Webster, Lunt ©, Woodcock, Holicek, Agius

Subs: Robinson, Williams, Allport, Nolan, Parry

Burnley: Forshaw, Carlin, James, McEvilly, Ashton (Rogers ’62), Deane, Gromek, West (Sime ’74), Tioffo (Wane ’62), Bryan, Le Fondre

Unused Subs: Vilar Robinson, Sweeney

Goals: Bryan, ’38, Holicek, ’41, Nolan, ‘77