U21 REPORT: COVENTRY CITY 1-3 BURNLEY

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Costelloe nets three as Clarets go seven unbeaten in the league with win over Sky Blues

2022-10-18T11:00:00.000Z

U21 REPORT: COVENTRY CITY 1-3 BURNLEY

Costelloe nets three as Clarets go seven unbeaten in the league with win over Sky Blues

2022-10-18T11:00:00.000Z

U21 PREVIEW: BURNLEY V COVENTRY CITY - Image 2

A Dara Costelloe hat-trick helped Burnley to a 3-1 victory away at Coventry City in Professional Development League action.

The Republic of Ireland U21 international gave the Clarets the lead early on in the game with a lobbed effort, before converting two penalties either side of Liam Kelly’s goal for the hosts.

Four changes were made to the Clarets side from last Monday’s home draw with Birmingham City with Benn Ward, Mark Helm, Marcel Lewis and Joe Bauress coming in for Kevin Long, CJ Egan-Riley, Samuel Bastien and Halil Dervişoğlu.

Senior players Liam Kelly and Callum O’Hare started from the off for the hosts, managed by John Dempster.

First Half

Burnley flew out the blocks and were ahead in just five minutes through a superb Costelloe two-touch dinked finish from Matt Lowton’s inch-perfect ball over the top. The full back captained the side at the Alan Higgs Centre.

U21 REPORT: COVENTRY CITY 1-3 BURNLEY - Image 1

It could have been two just moments later as an almost identical Lowton pass found Seb Thompson in space, and his half-volleyed effort was saved well by Sky Blues goalkeeper Tom Billson.

It was the dangerman Costelloe who went close once again on 16 minutes with his half-volley bouncing just wide of the post. Billson was well beaten but the frontman couldn’t guide his effort on target.

At the other end, Denis Franchi was called into action for the first time by Coventry midfielder Ryan Howley shortly after. The City man forced the Italian ‘keeper into a brilliant save as he tipped over the bar.

Despite that chance for the Midlands outfit, Burnley remained on top and made it two, with Costelloe once again converting, this time from the spot after a lightning quick Clarets break led to him slotting in Marcel Lewis who was fouled.

The Sky Blues halved the deficit eight minutes later through experienced captain Liam Kelly’s expertly curled effort into the far corner, leaving Franchi with little chance of saving it.

U21 REPORT: MILLWALL 1-0 BURNLEY - Image 2

The Clarets almost re-established their two-goal advantage on the brink of half time when the ball fell to 16-year-old Joe Bauress on the edge of the area, though his drilled strike bounced off the far post and away from danger to the relief of the hosts’ backline.

Second Half

It was a quiet start to the second 45 with the first real chance of note coming in the 68th minute as substitute Alex Healy-Byrne broke down the right before crossing just in front of Costelloe who was inches away from his hat-trick.

Two minutes later however the in-form striker did have his third, again from the penalty spot after Lewis was felled once more having found space inside the area.

Burnley saw numerous half-chances kept out by Billson before Lewis was denied his first and the team’s fourth in the early afternoon sunshine with a smart save from the shot stopper to tip his effort round the post.

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

Costelloe also had a chance to add a fourth of his own before the final whistle, but curled an effort just wide of the far post.

This win means the Clarets are seven games unbeaten in league action, and sit second in the Northern Section of the Professional Development League with a top of the table clash against Sheffield United to come next time out..

The Blades – who top the table - visit the County Ground in Leyland on Monday, 24th October. Kick-off is scheduled for 2pm and entry is free for all supporters.

Burnley: Franchi, Lowton ©, McNally, Ward, Dodgson, Tucker, Helm (Healy-Byrne ’66), Bauress, Thompson (McGlynn ’66), Lewis (Trialist ’86), Costelloe

Unused Subs: Thomas, Mellon

Coventry: Billson, Lusala, McGrath, Rowe, Reid, Burroughs (Alabi ’63), Kelly (Obikwu ’68), Howley, O’Hare (Rus HT), Costello (Bapaga ’68), Nee

Unused Sub: Rachel

Goals: Costelloe, ‘5, ’29 & ‘71, Kelly, ‘37