U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-2 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

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PL2 opener ends in defeat

2025-08-18T22:07:55.759Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-2 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

PL2 opener ends in defeat

2025-08-18T22:07:55.759Z

Young striker departs

A stoppage-time winner denied Burnley U21s a point against Wolverhampton Wanderers on their return to Premier League 2 football on Monday night.

Michael Mellon drew the young Clarets level after Wolves took a 1-0 lead into the half-time break, but the visitors struck late to spark jubilant scenes at the County Ground in Leyland.

There were three changes to the side that faced Rochdale in the National League Cup last week, with Jack McEvilly replacing Jesse Williams in defence.

Further forwards, first teamer Manuel Benson and Michael Mellon joined the front three alongside youngster Kian McMahon-Brown, who was on target in Greater Manchester last time out.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-2 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS - Image 1

Wolves started the better of the two teams and goalkeeper Charlie Casper was forced into three saves in quick succession after 15 minutes.

Benson tried his luck from range in the 24th minute and hit the bar, but the visitors went straight up the other end and broke the deadlock.

Striker Fletcher Holman was able to race onto an under hit back pass and knock the ball bast Casper to tap into an empty net.

Wolves led at the break and the young Clarets couldn’t fly out of the traps quickly, so manager Andy Farrell turned to his bench shortly after the hour mark.

Benson made way for Vernon Masara, while a trialist replaced Jack McEvilly.

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Mellon then restored parity 15 minutes from time, running onto an expertly played through ball and producing a fine chip over the onrushing Wolves ‘keeper.

Two more changes followed as Tom Tweedy and Kamarni Ryan replaced Marley Leuluai and McMahon-Brown respectively.

However, Wolves wrestled back the momentum and centre-back Murray Campbell produced two brave blocks to thwart Holman.

The visitors’ pressure eventually paid off in the third minute of added time and it was substitute Thomas Edozie who got the winner, finishing smartly into the bottom left corner.

Burnley: Casper, Blackie, Pimlott, Campbell, Ashton, McEvilly (Trialist 64), Benson (Masara 64), Leuluai (Tweedy 77), Mellon, McCoy, McMahon-Brown (Ryan 77)

Unused Substitutes: Chester

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Gracey,** Lembikisa, Sutherland, Okoduwa, Pond (Voice 46), Olagunju (Dayman 72), Mane, Griffiths (Bradbury 82), Holman (Angel 88), Rawlings, Barnett (Edozie 82)

Goals: Holman 25’, Mellon 75’, Edozie 90+3’