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

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Second-half goals the difference in Leyland

2026-03-16T21:54:50.186Z

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

Second-half goals the difference in Leyland

2026-03-16T21:54:50.186Z

Second-half goals the difference in Leyland

Burnley U21s saw a two-match winning streak in all competitions come to an end on Monday night, with Brighton & Hove Albion winning 2-0 at the County Ground in Leyland.

Both of the Seagulls’ goals came after the half-time break and Andy Farrell’s side battled until the very end but were unable to find a breakthrough.

There were five changes to the team that started last week’s victory over Crewe Alexandra, with first team winger Enock Agyei and a trialist starting either side of striker Kian McMahon-Brown.

George Brierley and Brandon Pouani also returned following their U18s exploits in the FA Youth Cup last week, with the former wearing the captain’s armband.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 0-2 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION - Image 1

The visitors enjoyed the better of possession and territory from the off, with Oisin Cooney making strong saves to deny both Nehemiah Oriola and Charlie Tasker in the opening four minutes.

Andy Farrell’s team’s first chance then saw Agyei slide through Ellis Clark, but the Scot was denied by the legs of Sebastian Jensen – the son of former Claret Brian.

Cooney was forced into a double save following a free-kick before the half hour and Oriola looked threatening throughout, cutting in from the left with his pace and power.

Neither team could find a way through before half-time, though, and Farrell replaced the trialist with Vernon Masara at the break.

It took the Seagulls just four minutes to break the deadlock after the restart, though, and Oriola was key again. The number 11 crossed to the back post for Shane Nti to head into the top left corner.

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

Oriola then made it 2-0 on the hour, finishing expertly into the bottom left corner after the ball had made its way across the penalty area.

Charlie Veevers replaced Pouani in the aftermath and added attacking impetus, setting up Agyei for a shot straight at Jensen.

Clark and Cameron Scott later made way for Zach Johnson and Jack McEvilly respectively, with the latter making his first appearance in almost five months because of injury.

Marley Leuluai later replaced Roman Egan-Riley and the young Clarets pushed right until the very end, including seven minutes of added time.

Agyei had a shot blocked behind and Johnson hit the bar from a corner but it wasn’t to be, and our points tally remains at 12 from 18 matches.

Next up is a Premier League 2 trip to Ipswich Town on Monday 23rd March. Kick-off at Portman Road is 7pm.

Burnley: Cooney, Campbell, Pimlott, Egan-Riley (Leuluai 74), Scott (McEvilly 70), Brierley, Agyei, Clark (Johnson 70), McMahon-Brown, Pouani (Veevers 60), Trialist (Masara 46)

Brighton & Hove Albion: Jensen, Tasker, Keogh, Barclay, Atom, MacKley (Owusu 81), Silsby (Mills 81), Middleton, Brett (West 73), Nti, Oriola

Unused Substitutes: Doyle, Belmont

Goals: Nti 49’, Oriola 60’