U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 2-2 BIRMINGHAM CITY

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Dervişoğlu on target as Clarets take point against Blues

2022-10-10T16:10:19.059Z

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 2-2 BIRMINGHAM CITY

Dervişoğlu on target as Clarets take point against Blues

2022-10-10T16:10:19.059Z

U21 PREVIEW: BIRMINGHAM CITY V BURNLEY - Image 2

A number of senior figures were involved as the Clarets U21 side drew 1-1 with Birmingham City in Professional Development League action at the Burnley Training Centre.

Turkish striker Halil Dervişoğlu netted his first goal in Claret & Blue, that after Owen Dodgson had levelled things up following Kieran Wakefield’s early opener, but the Blues forward grabbed a second of the game eight minutes from time to ensure the points would be shared.

There were three changes to the line up for Burnley from last week’s win at Wigan Athletic with Denis Franchi, Matt Lowton, Luke McNally, Kevin Long, CJ Egan-Riley & Samuel Bastien all involved from the off.

First Half

The Clarets were quick out the blocks and could’ve been ahead two minutes in at the Burnley Training Centre as Dara Costelloe worked some space to get the ball into the box. Dervişoğlu met his cross, but was denied on the volley by Blues goalkeeper Alfie Brooks.

U21 PREVIEW: BURNLEY V HULL CITY - Image 1

And on eight minutes, with virtually their first attack of the game, the visitors nudged in front courtesy of Wakefield who finished Josh Williams’ cross clinically.

Goalscorer Wakefield then brought down Seb Thompson with a poor late challenge just before the half-hour mark, and the Burnley man was forced off not long afterwards, replaced by Marcel Lewis.

Chances were at a premium throughout the first half, though the Clarets did come close through Costelloe prior to the break with the Irishman striking inches wide from Lowton’s cross to the back post.

Second Half

The frequency of goalmouth action at both ends continued at the same rate early on in the second 45, with goalkeeper Franchi denying Wakefield at point-blank range on 56 minutes in the first real chance of the half.

Lewis then headed over when he jumped highest to reach Dodgson’s cross after the hour-mark, while Dervişoğlu struck wide not long after having made space for a shot on the edge of the area.

But on 73 minutes the leveller which Burnley had been chasing came, and it came in style. Full back Dodgson saw Brooks off his line and rather than sending a ball into the middle of the area picked out the top corner of the net leaving the ‘keeper red-faced.

The equaliser was swiftly followed by Dervişoğlu’s goal to put the Clarets ahead, with less than 60 seconds between the two. After glancing the woodwork with a header seconds earlier, the forward got back involved and invited a challenge on him showing nice footwork inside the area.

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 2-2 BIRMINGHAM CITY - Image 2

When he was brought down, and referee Jamie O’Connor pointed to the spot, Dervişoğlu stepped up to send Brooks the wrong way from 12 yards out.

Four minutes later, Lewis then came close to a third which would have put the game to bed, but after his strike on the turn had whistled over the bar, Birmingham would equalise.

Franchi made a great stop to tip Rico Patterson’s low strike behind, but from the resulting set-piece, Tate Campbell headed the ball back into the mix. The effort was going over the line of its own accord, but forward Wakefield got the last touch.

Back at 2-2, the Clarets pushed for a late winner with Lewis again coming close and Tucker sending a strike inches wide of the far post with Brooks beaten late on.

CLARETS CALENDAR: YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEK AHEAD - Image 1

It remained level come the full-time whistle however, and Burnley now move on to next Tuesday – October 18 – when they take on Coventry City down in the Midlands at the Alan Higgs Centre (13:00 KO).

Burnley: Franchi, Lowton ©, McNally, Long, Dodgson, Tucker, Egan-Riley, Bastien, Thompson (Lewis ’35), Dervişoğlu, Costelloe

Unused Subs: Thomas, Sassi, Bauress, Mellon

Birmingham: A Brooks, J Williams, Mazwi, Campbell, Browne, Stirk, Wakefield, Trialist, Chang, Patterson, Walker

Subs: K Brooks, Pendleton, Khela, P Williams

Goals: Wakefield, ‘8 & ’82, Dodgson, ’73, Dervişoğlu, ‘74