U21S MATCH REPORT: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0-0 BURNLEY

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Young Clarets progress to Premier League Cup knockout stages

2024-12-07T22:39:04.369Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0-0 BURNLEY

Young Clarets progress to Premier League Cup knockout stages

2024-12-07T22:39:04.369Z

Young Clarets progress to Premier League Cup knockout stages

A goalless draw at Brighton & Hove Albion secured Burnley U21s’ progression to the Premier League Cup knockout stages on Saturday afternoon.

Andy Farrell’s team are now top of Group G with 13 points from five matches, with the final group stage game against Reading to take place in February.

There were six changes to the side that beat Birmingham City in the Professional Development League earlier this week, with Charlie Casper returning to keep goal.

A new-look defence saw Joe Ashton play at left-back alongside a centre-back pairing of captain Benn Ward and U18s defender Ben Jordison.

Further forwards, Brandon Ly started in the centre of midfield and João Mendes played on the right flank following his goal off the bench against the Blues.

Temporary switch for goalkeeper

The young Clarets dominated the ball in the first 15 minutes or so and Tommy McDermott was the first to test Seagulls ‘keeper Hugo Fisher, seeing his 20-yard shot get palmed away.

That was the first of three efforts in a four-minute spell, with Joe Bauress shooting narrowly over and Joe Westley working Fisher low to his right.

Brighton grew into the game as the first half progressed and Casper did well to deny Josh Rufus one-on-one before a strong left-handed save stopped Sahil Bashir from opening the scoring.

Both of those were around the half hour mark and the remaining 15 minutes passed without much incident of note, meaning the two sides went in level at the break.

That didn’t force either manager into any changes at the break and the second 45 started in bitty fashion, with Jordison and McDermott both being booked in the opening 10 minutes.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0-0 BURNLEY - Image 2

Farrell then rotated his pack in search of a spark just after the hour, with Basilio Socoliche coming on for his second appearance of the season in place of Joao Mendes and Kamarni Ryan replacing Westley.

Brighton thought they had broken the deadlock soon after, but Remerio Moulton’s bicycle kick was ruled out because the referee deemed his high foot to be unlawful.

16-year-old Troy Savage replaced McDermott with 18 minutes to play and Brighton rallied late on, with the Clarets twice being forced into superbly timed last-ditch interventions.

Ward was first up with a strong challenge to intercept Harry Mills’ goal-bound effort and Hamzat Balogun was the next player to throw his body on the line as the defence continued to stand firm.

Farrell’s last change saw Ryan Tioffo replace Brandon Ly, who was celebrating his 19th birthday, and although the Seagulls continued to push forward, they were unable to find a late winner.

The young Clarets are next in action on Tuesday 10th December when Blackpool visit Burnley Training Centre in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup.

Burnley: Casper, Balogun, Ashton, Ward, Jordison, Bauress, Mendes (Socoliche 62), Ly (Tioffo 82), Westley (Ryan 62), McDermott (Savage 72), Tweedy

Unused Substitutes: Cork

Brighton & Hove Albion: Fisher, Tasker (Turns 73), Mills, Penman, Slater, Owusu (Gulzar 62), Bashir (Ifill 73), Knight, Duffus (Flower 62), Mullins, Moulton (Vickers 76)

*Pictures courtesy of BHAFC/Jeff Mood.