U18s REPORT: AYR UNITED 2 BURNLEY 1

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Young Clarets suffer narrow defeat to partner club in mid-season friendly

2021-10-05T18:00:00.000Z

U18s REPORT: AYR UNITED 2 BURNLEY 1

Young Clarets suffer narrow defeat to partner club in mid-season friendly

2021-10-05T18:00:00.000Z

Young Clarets suffer narrow defeat to partner club in mid-season friendly

Tony Philliskirk and the youth team fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat away at partner club Ayr United on Tuesday night as the two clubs strengthened their relationship off the pitch.

Dan Sassi’s early opening goal had the young Clarets in front at Somerset Park, but two goals before the break from the hosts turned the game on its’ head and saw them finish the contest as the victors.

Having made the 202-mile journey from Turf Moor to Somerset Park, it was a mightily quick start to the game by Philliskirk’s side.

After Kade Ratchford earned a corner with a strike from the edge of the area which Ayr goalkeeper Mattiuz Miller tipped behind, defender Sassi rose highest from Tremaine Eastmond’s set-piece to hand Burnley the lead six minutes in.

United didn’t take long to hit back though, with Paul Smith curling a free-kick into the back of the net just two minutes later.

And after both Kian Le Fondre and Sean Etaluku went close for the Clarets, the ‘Honest Men’ went on the front foot to double their tally for the evening through Dylan O’Kane who was played through on goal and fired into the back of the net.

U18s REPORT: AYR UNITED 2 BURNLEY 1 - Image 1

At the break, both Joe Smyth-Ferguson and Will Couch were introduced by boss Philliskirk off the bench in the hunt for an equaliser.

Trevon Bryan had a shot cleared off the line soon after the restart, that following Ratchford’s effort which went over the bar and at that point, the Clarets looked sure fire to find a route back into the contest.

However, the remainder of the second half produced few chances of note from either side and though Burnley were pushing with numerous players playing out of their usual position, the equaliser didn’t come.

Burnley: Moss, Leckie, James (Couch HT), Sassi, Ward, Etaluku, Coppack (Smyth-Ferguson HT), Ratchford, Le Fondre, Eastmond (Trialist 82’), Bryan

Subs: Casper

U18s REPORT: AYR UNITED 2 BURNLEY 1 - Image 2

Despite defeat on the pitch north of the border, U18’s manager Philliskirk reflected positively on the trip post-match.

He said: “Tonight was a really good test for us on the pitch. We started really well scoring early against a team with players much older than us, but in the end, our lack of numbers told on us when we had loads of players playing in different positions.

“At the end of the day, that’s good for our learning on the whole though and all in all, it’s been a really good exercise.

“We’ve got to know their staff – who have been very welcoming - and further developed our links with a partner club which is exactly what we want to do.

“That’s also what the owners of Burnley wanted when they took over the club. Within their remit was the task of expanding the brand of the club and undoubtedly, tonight has been a huge success in that respect.

“I hope that Ayr can come down to us at some point later in this season for another game.”

As well as enhancing the Clarets’ relationship with one of our four partner clubs across the UK, Philliskirk was pleased with the opportunity that the game provided to challenge his side with a different scenario than they have been used to previously.

He said: “Today has been a totally different experience for the lads compared to playing on a Saturday morning or afternoon.

“They need to get used to that because we could come across this type of situation in some of the competitions that we will be involved in this season like the FA Youth Cup.

“It’s been a long day – and we’ve got a long trip back home now – but it’s definitely been a very rewarding one for us and for the club on the whole.”