U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 2-3 SHEFFIELD UNITED

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Clarets narrowly lose out to Blades in Leyland as unbeaten run comes to an end

2022-10-24T11:00:00.000Z

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 2-3 SHEFFIELD UNITED

Clarets narrowly lose out to Blades in Leyland as unbeaten run comes to an end

2022-10-24T11:00:00.000Z

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

Despite a second half fightback, Burnley’s U21 side were beaten 3-2 by Sheffield United at the County Ground in Leyland in what was a top of the table clash in the Northern Section of the Professional Development League.

The Clarets remain 2nd behind table toppers United after second half goals from Marcel Lewis - his first for the Club - & Dara Costelloe weren’t enough to cancel out a Louie Marsh double and an Oliver Arblaster strike.

Burnley made two changes from a 3-1 win away at Coventry City last time out. Alex Healy-Byrne came in from the start after a substitute appearance in that game, replacing Matt Lowton. At the back, Kevin Long replaced fellow Irishman Luke McNally.

Senior players Reda Khadra - on loan from Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion - and Jack Robinson both started for the Blades.

Prior to the game, as the women’s side did 24 hours prior, the U21s showed their support for the Rainbow Laces campaign – set up by Charity ‘Stonewall’ – ahead of the game with specially designed warm-up t-shirts.

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First Half

Burnley started the stronger in the opening five minutes on a damp day, and saw Ne-Jai Tucker strike wide after some good work on the edge of the area in the first chance of the contest.

The Blades began to grow into the game though and had a good chance of their own moments later when, following a prolonged spell of possession, midfielder Marsh fired an effort goalwards which flew just wide of Italian goalkeeper Denis Franchi’s post.

The Clarets then flew up the other end and had a big opportunity of their own as a long ball led to Costelloe holding off his marker and sending Seb Thompson through on goal, but Blades ‘keeper Jordan Amissah was on hand to keep the scores level

Amissah’s stop proved a catalyst as just a minute later, the visitors got themselves ahead. Experienced head Khadra burst down the left wing to slide the ball through to Arblaster, and he made no mistake in slotting home an opener.

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

A German U21 international, Khadra was causing issues with his driving runs forward, and once again forced a chance as he saw a powerful effort deflected wide via Kevin Long’s left boot.

Burnley did have a half chance just before the half-hour mark when Owen Dodgson sent an in-swinging free kick towards to the back post. It looped over everyone before Benn Ward came in at the back stick but couldn’t get enough behind the ball to turn it home as it bounced off the side-netting.

Three minutes later, the Clarets would find themselves two goals behind after a quick move from the Blades down the left-hand side resulted in winger Andre Brooks crossing low to the near post where Marsh - who had come close earlier in the half - was there to tap past Franchi.

And it was close to being three moments later when Marsh played a smart reverse pass in behind the Burnley defence leaving Brooks one-on-one with Franchi, who had to be at his best to deflect the effort away and keep the Clarets in the game.

The hosts would have an opportunity to pull a goal back before the break after Marcel Lewis did brilliantly to beat his marker before taking aim at goal, but he had his effort blocked by a Sheffield United defender.

Second Half

United continued on the front foot after the break, and had a great chance to make it three when Brooks crossed towards the back post, picking out Marsh once again. This time though, he placed his volley back against the far post.

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 2-3 SHEFFIELD UNITED - Image 3

The Blades man didn’t make the same mistake moments later however as the experienced Robinson crossed in and – in similar style to his first of the game – he slotted past Franchi.

Despite being three down, Burnley continued to battle on and pulled a goal back on the hour-mark through summer signing Lewis.

After a searching cross-field pass from full-back Dodgson found its way through to the winger, he took the ball past his man using his chest before hammering an effort under the body of Amissah to net his first goal in Claret & Blue.

And the Clarets didn’t have to wait long for another, as Costelloe scored his seventh goal in six U21 games this term to bring the deficit back to a one-goal margin.

Tucker delivered a cross towards the middle of the box and Irishman Costelloe got ahead of his marker, flicking the ball over a helpless Amissah with a superb finish to put Burnley right back into the game.

It was a match of very few chances after that, with most of the play coming in the Sheffield United half as the Clarets searched for their equaliser.

U21 PL CUP PREVIEW: STOKE CITY V BURNLEY - Image 1

In the fifth minute of injury time, they thought they eventually had it. A Dodgson free-kick was lofted towards the back post, where defender Kevin Long rose highest and powerfully headed towards goal, only to find the head of Amissah - who knew little about it - in the way of his shot.

The defeat ends Burnley’s seven game unbeaten run in the league, as the visitors extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points.

Burnley are back in action for the second time this week on Thursday - 27th October with an away trip to Stoke City in the group stage of the Premier League Cup. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7pm BST.

Burnley: Franchi, Healy-Byrne, Long, Ward, Dodgson, Tucker, Bauress, Helm ©, Thompson, Lewis, Costelloe

Unused Subs: Thomas, Turner, Mellon, McGlynn, Deane

Sheffield United: Amissah, Sachdev, Buyabu, Potter, Gordon, Robinson, Marsh, Arblaster, Khadra (Williams ‘65), Peck ©, Brooks (Maguire ‘78)

Unused Subs: Barratt, Middleton, Gomis

Goals: Arblaster ‘12, Marsh 33’ & 53’, Lewis 60’, Costelloe ‘68