U21S MATCH REPORT: BIRMINGHAM CITY 0-2 BURNLEY

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Back-to-back away wins for young Clarets

2025-03-28T11:10:00.000Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BIRMINGHAM CITY 0-2 BURNLEY

Back-to-back away wins for young Clarets

2025-03-28T11:10:00.000Z

U21S PREVIEW: BURNLEY V BIRMINGHAM CITY - Image 2

Aaron Ramsey took the next big step on his return from a serious knee injury as Burnley U21s beat Birmingham City 2-0 on Friday afternoon.

The first-team midfielder made his first competitive appearance since suffering the injury in February 2024, playing the first half at the Knighthead Performance Centre.

Ramsey was one of five changes to the 11 that started Tuesday's 4-1 win against Hull City, with U17s goalkeeper Connor Edwards making his first U21s appearance.

Two tweaks to the defence saw Alex Healy-Byrne start at right-back and Logan Pye play at centre-back, while Basilio Socoliche stepped up from the bench to start on the left flank.

Kamarni Ryan thought he had broken the deadlock after just six minutes. However, after latching onto Tommy McDermott’s pass and slotting home, the assistant raised his flag.

On a warm but windy day in the Midlands both teams created chances, with McDermott finding the side netting from a free-kick before Frank Tattum hit a post for the hosts at the other end.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BIRMINGHAM CITY 0-2 BURNLEY - Image 1

It was 1-0 four minutes before half-time, thanks to a moment of quality from Socoliche. The winger cut in from the left to curl the ball into the top corner from 20 yards, leaving the ‘keeper no chance.

Ramsey made way for Charlie Veevers in a planned change at the interval, with Tom Tweedy replacing Socoliche at the same time.

Birmingham perhaps should have been level five minutes into the second half, with two chances in quick succession.

Right-back Healy-Byrne did fantastically well to clear Laith Fairne’s header from a corner off the line, before Edwards reacted quickly to stop a goal bound effort from Kurtis Havenhand.

Manager Andy Farrell made his remaining three substitutions on the hour, with Healy-Byrne, Joe Bauress and McDermott making way for Hamzat Balogun, Marley Leuluai and Brandon Ly.

The home team looked to step up their search for an equaliser, but the Clarets defence stood firm.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BIRMINGHAM CITY 0-2 BURNLEY - Image 2

After getting a ball flush to the face, Pye was forced off on the 80th minute and despite being down to 10 men, Burnley looked resolute and remained strong.

In fact, the 10 men looked more threatening, and Julien Vetro perhaps should have had his first Burnley goal but was denied by a fine save from Will O’Sullivan.

The team’s second did come in second-half stoppage time and it was Veevers who got it.

The midfielder has looked threatening from free kicks ever since joining the Club last summer and picked out the top left corner this time out.

After 24 Professional Development League matches the team now have 44 points and are just a point behind Hull City in 2nd.

Next up is a lengthy trip to Swansea City on Monday 31st March, where kick-off is 7pm.

Burnley: Edwards, Healy-Byrne (Balogun 60), Pimlott, Pye, Ashton, Bauress (Leuluai 60), Vetro, Ramsey (Veevers 46), Ryan, McDermott (Ly 60), Socoliche (Tweedy 46)

Birmingham City: O’Sullivan, Ruiz-Rente, Pendleton, Boakye, Fairne, Mazwi, Home, Wynne, Ellis, Bateman, Tattum (Havenhand 48)

Unused Substitutes: Sayer, Pergelov, Pennington, Isichel

Goals: Socoliche 41’, Veevers 90+3’