U18S MATCH REPORT: FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-0 BURNLEY

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Defeat in the FA Youth Cup

2024-12-10T16:30:00.000Z

U18S MATCH REPORT: FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-0 BURNLEY

Defeat in the FA Youth Cup

2024-12-10T16:30:00.000Z

Defeat in the FA Youth Cup

Burnley U18s were beaten 1-0 by Fleetwood Town in the third round of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday evening, with a first-half goal the difference between the two teams.

There were three changes from the XI that started the team’s last U18s fixture against Brimingham City, with Noah Adekoya stepping in at centre-back.

Frankie McMahon-Brown joined the midfield alongside his brother Kian, while Brandon Pouani played on the left of the three behind striker Benji Wetshi.

With a healthy crowd in attendance at Highbury the game started in cagey fashion, with no major goal mouth action to report in the opening 15 minutes.

The home team then started to gain a foothold and Rylee Wilkinson turned a presentable chance over the bar from close range before the deadlock was broken just after the half hour.

After a corner was half cleared, centre-back pairing Pele Smith and Conor Haughey combined for the latter to slam home.

U18S MATCH REPORT: FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-0 BURNLEY - Image 1

Burnley’s best opening came on the stroke of half-time when Kian McMahon-Brown met a Zach Johnson free-kick with power, but his header went just the wrong side of the post.

The young Clarets started the second half the better of the two teams, with Adekoya’s surging run earning a corner that Jack McEvilly headed at Fleetwood ‘keeper Oliver Bellizia.

Johnson continued to provide a threat down the right, playing a teasing ball that almost picked out Wetshi and testing the opposition defence with his set piece delivery.

Philliskirk turned to his bench for the first time on the hour, with Troy Savage replacing Wetshi and Kian McMahon-Brown pushing further forwards.

Further changes followed, with Adam Abbas replacing Frankie McMahon-Brown and George Brierley taking the place of Adam McCoy.

U18S MATCH REPORT: FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-0 BURNLEY - Image 2

The fresh legs added extra impetus and Burnley rallied late on, coming close to finding an equaliser three times in successive minutes.

After a Kian McMahon-Brown corner was headed down by McEvilly, Abbas flicked a header into the net but the linesman raised his flag for offside.

A Johnson corner to the back post then found Ben Jordison, whose header across the face of goal narrowly evaded everybody else in a black shirt.

It was then Pouani’s turn to come close, but the winger was unable to control his finish on the half volley.

Despite their best efforts in five added minutes at the end of the 90, the scholars were unable to find that vital goal and exit the competition.

Burnley: Chester, Carlin, Jordison, Adekoya, McEvilly, F. McMahon-Brown (Abbas 72), Johnson, McCoy (Brierley 78), Wetshi (Savage 61), K. McMahon-Brown, Pouani

Unused Substitutes: Edwards, Stanley, Wilcock, Leuluai

Fleetwood Town: Bellizia, Cirino, Thompson, Smith, Haughey, Wilkinson (Eccles 68), Currie, Kendrick (Taylor 61), Lane (Elmore 85), McLean, Roberts

Unused Substitutes: Minopoli, Jack Doherty, Jake Doherty, Haselden

Goals: Haughey 31’