U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 0-3 WIGAN ATHLETIC

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Clarets fall short against experienced Latics side

2023-02-20T14:00:00.000Z

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 0-3 WIGAN ATHLETIC

Clarets fall short against experienced Latics side

2023-02-20T14:00:00.000Z

U21s PREVIEW: WIGAN ATHLETIC VS BURNLEY - Image 2

Burnley’s U21s side were beaten 3-0 by Wigan Athletic in the Professional Development League at the Lancashire FA County Ground.

Experienced first team player Tom Pearce opened the scoring for the Latics after 14 minutes before doubling the lead himself early in the second half.

Chris Sze rifled home Wigan’s third before substitute Deji Sotona was sent off for a second bookable offence with six minutes to go.

Burnley made two changes from last week’s trip to Birmingham City – which ended 1-1 – with Joe Westley returning to the side in place of Halil Dervişoğlu and Jack Turner coming in for the injured Benn Ward.

Sotona also made the Clarets bench for the first time since joining the Club in January.

Wigan’s side featured several recognised first-team players, with goalscorer Pearce, Joe Bennett, Tom Naylor, Curtis Tilt, Charlie Wyke and Thelo Aasgard all starting.

First Half

The visitors started the game well and had a good early chance to take the lead through midfielder Sze, as he cut inside past Keelan Williams but saw his effort saved by Charlie Casper.

And Wigan’s quick start was in full effect when they took the lead after 14 minutes after Jack Reilly broke into the area before finding Pearce who arrowed a strike into the far top corner.

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 0-3 WIGAN ATHLETIC - Image 2

Substitute Joe Rodwell-Grant had a couple of half chances, slicing an effort wide before heading winger Thelo Aasgaard’s cross just off target.

Sze worked Casper into a good save on the brink of half-time and the Latics went into the break in front after a first half with very few clear-cut opportunities.

Second Half

Wigan started the half as strongly as they ended the first and found themselves two goals ahead five minutes into the second 45 as Aasgaard drove down the right-hand side and hammered a low cross to the far post which was met by Pearce who netted his brace.

Ten minutes later Wigan added a third as Pearce chipped a pass in-behind to find Sze who worked space on the edge of the area before firing a strike into the top corner.

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 0-3 WIGAN ATHLETIC - Image 3

Rodwell-Grant again worked Casper into a couple of saves before the Clarets ‘keeper superbly denied Sze - who found himself in behind the defence – as he tipped the midfielders one-on-one shot wide.

Substitute Sotona was sent off after a late challenge resulted in his second booking, in what proved to be the last action of the game.

The U21s are back in action next Monday – 27th February – when they travel to the Dransfield Stadium to face Hull City in the Professional Development League (7pm KO).

Burnley: Casper, Williams, Sassi ©, Turner, Grant, Torraj (Sotona ’61), Bauress, Davies (Thompson ’72), Lewis, Tucker, Westley

Unused Subs: Moss, McCullough, Ratchford

Wigan Athletic: Tickle, Bennett (Dwyer ’81), Pearce, Naylor (Chentouf ’86), Mitchell ©, Tilt, Reilly, Adeeko (McHugh ’81), Wyke (Rodwell-Grant ’10), Sze, Aasgaard

Unused Subs: Corran

Goals: Pearce, ’14, ’51, Sze, ‘63