U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 1

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U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 1 - 3 ARSENAL

Clarets suffer defeat at Leyland to the Gunners

2022-09-23T14:27:05.052Z

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 1 - 3 ARSENAL

Clarets suffer defeat at Leyland to the Gunners

2022-09-23T14:27:05.052Z

Burnley’s U21 side began their Premier League Cup campaign with a 3-1 loss to Arsenal.

Michael Mellon netted Burnley’s only goal of the game on 55 minutes, after Joel Idaho and Mauro Bandiera had fired Arsenal into a two-goal lead at the break, before Idaho’s second of the game sealed the Clarets fate.

Burnley made six changes from the 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday 11 days prior, with first-team players Matthew Lowton, Kevin Long, Luke McNally and CJ Egan-Riley all coming into the side in search of minutes.

Denis Franchi replaced Sam Waller in goal, with Mark Helm coming into the side in place of Will Hugill, who dropped to the bench.

First Half

After starting slowly, Burnley found themselves behind on eight minutes when 19-year-old Idaho cut inside and curled an effort from all of 25 yards into the bottom corner past Clarets stopper Franchi.

Minutes later midfielder Marcel Lewis found himself in behind the Gunners defence, before seeing his effort saved by James Hillson.

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 1 - 3 ARSENAL - Image 1

Despite the Clarets looking as though they were starting to grow into the game, they found themselves trailing by two, when Owen Dodgson fouled George Lewis as he broke into the box and Portuguese midfielder Mauro Bandiera was on hand to convert from the spot.

Despite prolonged spells of possession for a side boasting plenty of first-team experience, a couple of long range efforts from Mellon and Helm respectively, both of which flew over the bar, were the closest Burnley came to reducing the deficit before half-time.

Second Half

Benn Ward replaced Kevin Long at the break, who stepped up his recovery from injury with 45 minutes here, as the Clarets looked to make their way back into the game.

And they started on the front foot as Ne-Jai Tucker saw his effort denied by Hillson, before Mellon, who was looking to score his second in two games following his return from injury, saw his follow-up was blocked on the line by Arsenal defender Josh Robinson.

The impressive Lewis, who joined the Clarets on deadline day from Belgian side Union SG, made his way through again shortly after, but he also saw his shot blocked.

U21 PL CUP PREVIEW: ARSENAL V BURNLEY - Image 2

And it wasn’t long before the Clarets made their breakthrough and found themselves a route back into the game, as Mellon cleverly flicked a low cross from Lewis goalwards with the outside of his boot, and it bounced in off the bar.

Arsenal however re-established their two-goal advantage shortly after, with the bright winger Ideho cutting inside once more, before firing past Italian ‘keeper Franchi at his near post to net his second of the game.

Burnley would force a late save out of Hillson, with a cross from 60th minute substitute Seb Thompson finding the Mellon once more, and only a smart low stop would deny the striker his brace.

The Clarets failed to peg back the two-goal deficit and fell to defeat. This result means the Clarets kick off their Premier League Cup campaign with a loss as Arsenal make it two wins from two to top Group G.

The U21s are scheduled to return to action next Monday – September 26 – with a visit to Alexandra Park to face Crewe Alexandra in a 13:00 kick-off

Burnley: Franchi, Lowton, Long (Ward ‘46), McNally, Egan-Riley, Dodgson, Tucker, Bauress (Thompson ‘60), Helm, Lewis, Mellon.

Unused Subs: Moss, Hugill, Trialist.

Arsenal: Hillson, Robinson, Kacurri, Walters (Foran ‘73), Quesada-Thorn (Nichols ‘88), Ibrahim, Bandiera, Dudziak (Gower ‘46) (Taylor-Hart ‘73), Ideho, Lewis, Vigar.

Unused Subs: Rojas.

Goals: Idaho, ‘8, ‘59, Bandeira, ‘17, Mellon, ‘55