U21S MATCH REPORT: BLACKBURN ROVERS 1-3 BURNLEY

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Young Clarets victorious on derby day

2024-11-15T16:07:54.310Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BLACKBURN ROVERS 1-3 BURNLEY

Young Clarets victorious on derby day

2024-11-15T16:07:54.310Z

Young Clarets victorious on derby day

Three goals in 11 second-half minutes earned Burnley U21s a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over East Lancashire neighbours Blackburn Rovers on Friday afternoon.

Tom Tweedy, João Mendes and Kamarni Ryan were all on target at Brockhall Village, with the three points cementing our place at the top of Central League Cup Group A.

First-team players Hjalmar Ekdal and Nathan Redmond both earned their first competitive minutes of the season following lengthy injuries, playing 45 minutes each.

Charlie Casper returned in goal following the conclusion of his loan spell at FC United of Manchester, while Hamzat Balogun and Brandon Ly played at right back and centre midfield respectively.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BLACKBURN ROVERS 1-3 BURNLEY - Image 1

A cagey start saw both teams vie for possession in the middle of the pitch and feel their way into the game.

The Clarets’ first effort on goal saw Kamarni Ryan be denied one-on-one having been found by an outside of the foot pass from Charlie Veevers.

Veevers was instrumental again a minute later when his corner found Benn Ward at the back post, but the centre-back’s powerful effort was saved by Jack Barrett.

Ekdal and Redmond were replaced in planned changes by Noah Adekoya and Mendes at the break, and it took just three second-half minutes for Rovers to take the lead.

After Veevers was adjudged to have fouled inside the area, Bloxham dinked his spot-kick down the middle.

The hosts then enjoyed a sustained period of pressure, with Dominik Biniek shooting straight at Casper and Freddie Leatherbarrow shooting narrowly wide.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BLACKBURN ROVERS 1-3 BURNLEY - Image 2

Lewis Richardson was introduced for his first minutes of the season because of injury on the hour, replacing Veevers.

Andy Farrell’s side had stabilised by this point and it was Tweedy who levelled in the 72nd minute, getting on the end of a fine Mendes assist for his eighth goal in as many matches.

First-year scholar Troy Savage replaced Joe Bauress straight after the goal before the partnership that created the first goal reversed roles three minutes later.

After good work from Tweedy down the left, Mendes finished coolly into the bottom right corner.

Ryan added a third with a close-range finish seven minutes from time but the game wasn’t over yet, with Blackburn squandering two presentable chances in second-half stoppage-time.

After a trialist shot wide from close range, Ward produced a fine block to keep the winning margin at two.

Farrell’s side have won both of their Central League Cup matches this season and turn their attention back to the Professional Development League for a trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Monday 18th November.

Burnley: Casper, Balogun, Ashton, Ward, Ekdal (Adekoya 46), Bauress (Savage 73), Tweedy, Ly, Ryan, Veevers (Richardson 60), Redmond (Mendes 46)

Unused Substitutes: Tioffo

Blackburn Rovers: Barrett, Bloxham, Powell, Litherland, Doherty, Dunn, Bell (Trialist 80), Caddick, Biniek (Houghton 80), O’Grady Macken, Leatherbarrow (Stritch 66)

Unused Substitutes: Wolsoncroft, Murphy Worrell

Goals: Bloxham 48’, Tweedy 72’, Mendes 75’, Ryan 83’