U18S SEASON REVIEW: PART ONE

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First half of 2023/24 broken down month by month

2024-05-27T08:00:00.000Z

U18S SEASON REVIEW: PART ONE

First half of 2023/24 broken down month by month

2024-05-27T08:00:00.000Z

First half of 2023/24 broken down month by month

JULY

In an occasion that now typically marks the start of any new season, 14 first-year scholars joined the Academy at a special signing evening ahead of 2023/24.

The players and their parents took part in a Q+A event with various club personnel before having their photographs taken, providing a valuable keepsake for the rest of their careers.

Tony Philliskirk and his squad joined the U21s for a pre-season training camp in Scotland, mixing as one and putting in some valuable work ahead of the campaign.

There were two friendlies north of the border, too, with the Clarets beating Dundee 1-0 and Ayr United 4-0.

AUGUST

The U18s played three Professional Development League matches in the opening month of the season.

A lengthy trip to London and Charlton Athletic on the opening day ended in a one all draw, with Adam Abbas scoring 12 minutes from time to earn a point.

There were then 4-1 and 4-0 defeats to Millwall and Bristol City respectively.

SEPTEMBER

September started with a 2-0 Professional Development League Cup victory over Bradford City, with the Clarets then taking seven league points from a possible nine.

After another long trip to Colchester United produced a goalless draw, Burnley recorded an emphatic 6-2 victory on the road at Queens Park Rangers.

Jack Bates scored a brace in South West London, with Jack Rogers, Callum West, Logan Carlin and Vernon Masara also netting.

Lucas Wane’s goal wasn’t enough to prevent a defeat to Fleetwood Town in their next fixture before the month ended with a 4-0 triumph over Crewe Alexandra.

OCTOBER

The U17 PDL Cup got underway on 4th October with a 4-1 victory over Wigan Athletic at the home of Clitheroe FC.

The Latics were the first U18s Professional Development League opponents of the month too, with their visit to Burnley Training Centre ending 0-0.

Philliskirk’s team were then beaten 3-0 at Birmingham City before returning to Lancashire to record a 1-0 victory over Peterborough United. Adam McCoy was the only scorer, picking out the top right corner on the stroke of halftime.

Another U17 PDL Cup tie followed and the first years drew two all with Fleetwood Town.

NOVEMBER

With the team now starting to gel, November started with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Coventry City.

Masara, who would later earn regular minutes with the U21s and eventually win the Academy Player of the Year award, netted a brace, with Rogers, West and Zach Johnson also on target.

Then came back-to-back 1-1 draws against Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield Untied, with Benji Wetshi and Wane on target in that order.

The U18s’ month ended with a 1-0 Professional Development League Cup win over Birmingham City.

That feat was reflected in the U17s version, with a 2-0 win at Hull City concluding their Group D campaign.

DECEMBER

December started in the same competition, with the Clarets recording a 3-0 win against Crewe Alexandra to top Group B with the maximum points total.

More cup action followed and it was an entertaining affair as Burnley beat Birmingham City in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at the County Ground in Leyland.

After Johnson opened the scoring in the third minute, the visitors equalised before taking the lead in extra time. The tie wasn’t done, though, as Rogers struck in the 123rd minute to take it to a penalty shootout.

Second-year scholar Lewis Forshaw then produced a heroic display, saving three spot kicks before Oli Pimlott slotted the decisive penalty straight down the middle.