U21 FRIENDLY REPORT: STOCKPORT COUNTY ‘B’ 0-2 BURNLEY

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Clarets enjoy victory in friendly run-out against Hatters at Edgeley Park

2023-04-11T10:30:00.000Z

U21 FRIENDLY REPORT: STOCKPORT COUNTY ‘B’ 0-2 BURNLEY

Clarets enjoy victory in friendly run-out against Hatters at Edgeley Park

2023-04-11T10:30:00.000Z

Clarets enjoy victory in friendly run-out against Hatters at Edgeley Park

Burnley’s U21 side filled the void of a week without Professional Development League action with an assured 2-0 win in a friendly against Stockport County ‘B’ at Edgeley Park.

A quickfire eight-minute double in the second half from Seb Thompson & Joe Westley was enough to down a County side containing senior trio Joe Lewis, Aaron Rowe & Ollie Crankshaw, who have 34 Sky Bet League Two appearances between them for the Hatters so far this season.

Dan Sassi meanwhile captained the Clarets side, with Joe Bauress returning in midfield following a two-game absence due to injury.

First Half

In an opening 45 minutes starved of any real clear-cut chances, it was the hosts who had the first shot in anger 12 minutes in when full-back Joe Hillary sent an effort well over the bar from just inside the area.

U21 PREVIEW: BURNLEY V BRISTOL CITY - Image 3

At the other end, after a slew of misplaced final balls, Will Hugill did well to pick the pocket of a Stockport defender in the box. Before he or Joe Westley could guide home however, Hatters goalkeeper Reece Trueman pounced on the loose ball.

His opposite number Charlie Casper then produced a fine stop to tip a powerful strike from Crankshaw, who had driven forward from his own half, around the post with Burnley seeing out the danger at the resulting set-piece.

And at the very end of the half, both sides had half-chances with Bauress’ low-drive from a free-kick ending just the wrong side of the post, and Welsh defender Keelan Williams having to glance a dangerous cross behind at the back post before a Stockport man could get to it to head home.

Second Half

The contest seemingly came to life at the restart with Jack Turner brought into action to block behind another strike from Crankshaw before Burnley took the lead from the penalty spot on 54 minutes.

U21 PREVIEW: BURNLEY V BRISTOL CITY - Image 1

Tricky versatile forward Thompson latched onto a through ball and was brought down in the box to win the spot kick, and then calmly dispatched from 12 yards.

He then went close to a second with a low strike which hit the side netting, and Casper clung onto a low-drive from County’s Trialist B before striker Westley made it two. After Trueman had palmed clear a Ne-Jai Tucker shot, Westley was alert to guide home the rebound at close range.

From there on in, the evening was a comfortable one for the Clarets as both sides made changes and the game’s pace slowed a considerable amount.

U21 FRIENDLY REPORT: STOCKPORT COUNTY ‘B’ 0-2 BURNLEY - Image 3

Hillary and Crankshaw would send efforts wide, with substitute Dallas Omoruyi also glancing a header off target for the hosts, but it would end 2-0.

The U21s next return to Professional Development League action on Monday – 17th April – at the County Ground in Leyland against Bristol City (2pm KO).

Burnley: Casper, Williams, Sassi, Turner (Healy-Byrne ’77), Grant (Trialist HT), Bauress (Ratchford ’62), Davies, Hugill, Thompson, Westley (Torraj ’77), Tucker

Unused Sub: Moss

Stockport: Trueman, Trialist A, Hillary, Atkinson, Lewis, Jones, Bird, Mee, Crankshaw, Rowe, Angol

Subs: Harrison, Partington, Darby, Trialist B, Fligg, Omoruyi, Trialist C, Trialist D

Goals: Thompson, ’54, Westley, ‘62