U21 FRIENDLY REPORT: ASHTON UNITED 3-2 BURNLEY

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Clarets fall short in test against senior opposition

2023-08-08T23:01:14.271Z

U21 FRIENDLY REPORT: ASHTON UNITED 3-2 BURNLEY

Clarets fall short in test against senior opposition

2023-08-08T23:01:14.271Z

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Burnley FC’s U21 side were beaten 3-2 by Ashton United’s senior team in a pre-season friendly at Hurst Cross Stadium in Ashton-Under-Lyne.

Marcus Cusani netted the opener for the hosts before adding a second to his tally on 32 minutes.

Joe Ashton halved the deficit before the break as he headed in Marcel Lewis’ near post set piece delivery.

The Clarets then equalised through another header, this time from Kian Le Fondre but Dan Cowan netted the winner for the hosts 16 minutes from time.

Burnley lined-up with a mixture of experience and youth, with Charlie Casper starting in goal and Lewis in midfield, and Joe Ashton and Jack Rogers both in the side.

The bench was entirely made up of Tony Philliskirk’s U18s players, including Marley Leuluai and Callum West.

First Half

Both sides had early chances, with the Clarets seeing shots from Renaldo Torraj and Lucas Wane go close, and one of Ashton’s trialists hammering an effort over the top.

The hosts then took the lead, through Cusani who was found in the middle by Alex Byrne, and in turn headed into the back of the net, leaving ‘keeper Casper with no chance.

Lewis saw a shot saved soon after, but the home side went up the other end and doubled their lead, again through Cusani who tapped in from six yards out.

The Clarets pulled a goal back just before the break as defender Ashton headed in Lewis whipped free kick into the box and Casper made a good low save just before the break.

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Second Half

Burnley netted within seven minutes of the restart as Wane crossed to the back post where Lewis Richardson was waiting to knock the ball back across goal for Le Fondre to tap in.

In a quiet second half, the next action of the game was when Ashton retook the lead through Cowan, who headed in from a corner.

Dylan Sime went closest to levelling the scores nine minutes from time, when his strike was held by Luke Simpson, but the Clarets fell to defeat.

The U21s will begin their Professional Development League campaign away to Millwall on Monday 21st August at Millwall Training Ground and that game is scheduled to kick off at 1pm (BST).

Ashton United: Simpson, Cowan, Newton, Lonsdale, Trialist A, Trialist B, Byrne, Abbott, Adams, Cusani, Milner

Subs: Trialist C, Trialist D, Potts, Trialist E, Trialist F, Trialist G

Burnley: Casper, Hugill, Grant, Ashton, Turner, Rogers, Torraj, Lewis, Le Fondre, Richardson, Wane

Subs: Vilar Robinson, Sime, Sweeney, Leuluai, Pickup, West

Goals: Cusani, ’20, ’32, Ashton, ’36, Le Fondre ’52, Cowan ‘74