U21 PL CUP REPORT: STOKE CITY 1-1 BURNLEY

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Last-gasp leveller denies Clarets all three points in Potteries Premier League Cup clash

2022-10-27T13:00:00.000Z

U21 PL CUP REPORT: STOKE CITY 1-1 BURNLEY

Last-gasp leveller denies Clarets all three points in Potteries Premier League Cup clash

2022-10-27T13:00:00.000Z

Last-gasp leveller denies Clarets all three points in Potteries Premier League Cup clash

Burnley’s U21 side were took their first point in the Premier League Cup group stage this term with a 1-1 draw away against Stoke City, denied all three only by a last-gasp leveller from the hosts.

Dara Costelloe had fired the Clarets ahead from the penalty spot early on in the second half, though that was cancelled out in the 94th minute by Stoke’s equaliser which came via the head of substitute Nathan Lowe.

In action for the second time in just three days, Burnley made four changes from their narrow 3-2 defeat to Sheffield United on Monday (24th October) as senior full-back Matt Lowton returned to the side.

There were also starts for Lewis Thomas, Jack Turner and forward Michael Mellon while Alex Healy-Byrne was a late replacement in the 11 for Benn Ward, who pulled up injured in the warm-up at the Weaver Stadium in Nantwich.

CLARETS CALENDAR: YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEK AHEAD - Image 4

Stoke meanwhile had first-team experience in centre back Harry Souttar, named in their starting 11 as he continues a comeback from a lengthy injury, while Emre Tezgel also started.

The versatile attacker made his first-team debut last season for the Potters, becoming their youngest-ever debutant at 16.

First Half

The Clarets started well, but despite seeing plenty of the ball it was Stoke who had the first real chance, a volley was caught well by midfielder Ben Kershaw but was lacking accuracy as it flew wide of the post.

And the Potters troubled Burnley once more after a quiet 10 minutes, when full back Joshua Bickerton broke down the left and delivered a fizzing cross onto the head of now 17-year-old Tezgel, who forced goalkeeper Thomas into a superb one-handed save from close range.

Thomas was the busier of the two ‘keepers and was tested again moments later. After midfielder Kahran Reddin rode a couple of Clarets challenges and broke through, the stopper was on hand to deny him with a smart low save.

U21 PL CUP REPORT: STOKE CITY 1-1 BURNLEY - Image 2

Burnley were pushing to create chances and work their way into the game, and carved out an opportunity via fantastic wing work from Seb Thompson, who beat his man before drilling a cross towards the back post, but captain Mark Helm could only scuff an effort wide on the half-volley.

The hosts then saw two chances pass them by in the blink of an eye. First it was Kershaw who went close again, winning the ball back in the middle of the pitch and driving at the Burnley defence to bend an effort just wide of the far post, before Jacob Holland-Wilkinson struck into the side netting having raced into the box on the counter.

Before the break, there would be more chances for both teams with Tezgel striking the woodwork at one end, and Marcel Lewis working Potters shot stopper Tommy Simkin into a save low down to his left.

Second Half

Having been on the back foot for much of the opening 45 minutes, Burnley reversed the roles at the restart and went on the charge looking for the opener.

It came just five minutes into the second half after a superb threaded through ball from Healy-Byrne found Costelloe in behind and his touch took him away from Simkin, who brought down the Irishman in the area.

Costelloe himself stepped up and, despite the ‘keeper guessing the right way, slotted coolly into the bottom corner from 12 yards out to net his eighth goal in seven U21 games this season.

A quiet 10 minutes followed, after which Stoke began to work their way back into the contest and after quick feet from Reddin on the wing to cut inside, he forced Thomas into a smart save to tip over his cross-cum-shot.

The Clarets had a chance to put the game away on 72 minutes, as a cross-field ball from found the feet of midfielder Helm who drove at the hosts backline before firing across goal and wide.

Kevin Russell’s Potters side then hit the post for the second time in the game, and must have wondered how the ball didn’t find its way into the back of the net when substitute Lowe’s strike trickled its way across the goal-line before Healy-Byrne was on hand to mop up and clear what looked like a certain equaliser.

U21 PL CUP PREVIEW: BURNLEY V STOKE CITY - Image 3

Lowe also saw another effort comfortably saved by Thomas, but would have his moment in the final minute of injury time, when a free-kick hung up towards the back post was nodded in by the substitute.

Putting a point on the board in their second of six group stage games, Burnley are next in Premier League Cup action on Monday 21st November when they travel to Swansea City.

But in league action, the Clarets are back in action next Monday, 31st October when they welcome Hull City to the Lancashire FA’s County Ground with a 2pm kick-off. Entry is free.

Burnley: Thomas, Lowton, Turner, Healy-Byrne, Dodgson, Lewis (Ratchford ‘67), Bauress, Helm, Thompson, Costelloe (Deane ‘79), Mellon (Tucker ‘82)

Unused Subs: Moss,

Stoke: Simkin, Curl, Bickerton, Baker ©, Souttar, Kershaw, Reddin, Lewis, Tezgel (Lowe ‘70), Holland-Wilkinson (Smith ‘60), McGuinness

Unused Subs: Roney, Jackson, Lohia

Goals: Costelloe ‘50, Lowe ‘90+4