U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 2-4 SWANSEA CITY

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Clarets beaten in final home league game by Swans

2023-05-01T15:00:00.000Z

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 2-4 SWANSEA CITY

Clarets beaten in final home league game by Swans

2023-05-01T15:00:00.000Z

Clarets beaten in final home league game by Swans

Burnley’s U21s side were in action for the final time at home in the league this season when they welcomed Swansea City to Turf Moor in a 4-2 losing effort.

Liam Smith slotted home the opener for the Swans, before Welshman Tom Tweedy levelled for the home side on the brink of half time.

Josh Thomas re-established Swansea’s lead seconds after the restart before Seb Thompson netted another equaliser.

Goals from substitutes Mitchell Bates and Ruben Davies then condemned the Clarets to defeat on home soil.

The Clarets made two changes from last week’s victory against Colchester United with Dane McCullough and Seb Thompson returning from the start in place of Brad Grant and a Trialist.

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 2-4 SWANSEA CITY - Image 1

There were also places on the bench for U18s Ryan Tioffo, Gabriel Otegbayo and Callum West.

First Half

The Swans started well, and forced Charlie Casper into an early save as he did well to tip Sam Leverett’s volley from point-blank range over the top of the bar.

And the visitors took the lead moments later, as Azeem Abdulai drove through the Clarets midfield before slotting through Liam Smith who fired the ball back across ‘keeper Casper and into the far corner.

Joe Westley had a chance to equalise for Burnley as he went one-on-one with Swansea ‘keeper Remi Mitchell who did well to keep the forward out from a tight angle.

Tivonge Rushesha then almost made it two for the visitors but could only drag his effort wide of the target, before Jack Turner pulled off a superb block to deny Joe Thomas from close range.

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 2-4 SWANSEA CITY - Image 2

After Will Hugill curled a strike over the top, Westley had a guilt-edged chance to net the equaliser, as Seb Thompson took the ball into his stride and raced down the left before cutting back to the Burnley striker who’s shot was saved well by the outstretched foot of Mitchell.

The Clarets late first half pressure told, as on the brink of half time they equalised when Joe Bauress slipped in substitute Deji Sotona who saw his initial effort saved by Mitchell before the ball fell to Tweedy who hammered into the top of the net.

Second Half

The visitors again started the half strongly and netted within 42 seconds of the restart as Joe Thomas broke in behind the Burnley defence before slotting past Casper into the far corner of the net.

Hugill almost instantly levelled for the Clarets as Sotona used his pace to get down the left before cutting back to the midfielder who had broken forward but could only slice his effort wide from close range.

The home side would have their second equaliser moments later, as Sotona won the ball back on the halfway line, before once more driving down the left and seeing his low cross deflected into the path of Seb Thompson who finished with aplomb into the far top corner.

U21 REPORT: BURNLEY 2-4 SWANSEA CITY - Image 3

Burnley’s joy was short lived however, as Joe Thomas crossed towards the back post to find substitute Mitchell Bates, who’s original header was clawed away by Casper before he hammered home the rebound into an almost empty net.

And the Swans added a fourth after a low cross found yet another substitute in Ruben Davies who tapped in from close range past Casper.

A couple of half chances followed but the Clarets failed to get back into the game and in turn fell to defeat in their final home fixture of their Professional Development League campaign.

The U21s are back in action this Friday – 5th May – when they welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Burnley Training Centre in the Semi-Final of the Lancashire Senior Cup.

Burnley: Casper, Healy-Byrne, Sassi, Turner (Otegbayo ’74), McCullough, J Davies, Bauress, Hugill, Tweedy (Tioffo ’74), Westley (Sotona ’37), Thompson

Unused Subs: Moss, West

Swansea City: Mitchell, Jones (Bates ’57), Leverett (Hurford ’75), Rushesha, Lissah, Blythe, Joe Thomas, Abdulai, Josh Thomas (Jenkins ’75), Cotterill © (R Davies ’57), Smith

Unused Subs: Watts

Goals: Smith, ’12, Tweedy, ‘45+1, Josh Thomas, ’46, Thompson, ’49, Bates, ’63, R Davies, ‘67