U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1 - 3 CREWE ALEXANDRA

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Youthful Clarets line-up beaten at home

2024-03-29T16:00:00.000Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1 - 3 CREWE ALEXANDRA

Youthful Clarets line-up beaten at home

2024-03-29T16:00:00.000Z

Youthful Clarets line-up beaten at home

Burnley U21s' four-game winning run came to an end on Friday afternoon courtesy of a 3-1 reverse to Crewe Alexandra in the Professional Development League.

After a goalless first half in which the Clarets created numerous chances, Vernon Masara broke the deadlock shortly after the break.

The score turned quickly, however, as an own goal drew Crewe level before the Railwaymen took full advantage of Burnley going down to nine men to add a further two goals and secure all three points.

Despite the result, Manager Andy Farrell took positives from the performance with six of the Club's U18s players involved in the matchday squad.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1 - 3 CREWE ALEXANDRA - Image 1

The first chance of the match fell to Clarets captain Will Hugill, who received a pass from Tom Tweedy on the edge of the box and fired a shot on target only to be denied by Mikolaj Lenarcik.

Mikey O'Neill then made a quick run into the area and, after receiving a looped ball from Joe Ashton, attempted an impressive bicycle kick that unfortunately landed in the goalkeeper's hands.

Masara's speed was becoming more of a threat as the game progressed and after beating Stanley Dancey to create space the forward shot from close range, but Lenarcik was on hand to thwart the Clarets once again.

Tommy McDermott was next to try his luck before the break, but his low strike from a free-kick was also dealt with.

U21S PREVIEW: HULL CITY V BURNLEY - Image 1

Burnley's persistence paid off in the 55th minute when Masara headed a looped McDermott corner past Lenarcik to break the deadlock with his eighth goal in his last seven outings.

The lead didn't last long, however, as Rhys Allport fired a shot from range that deflected off McDermott and beat Burnley 'keeper Lewis Forshaw to restore parity.

Farrell then brought Joe Bevan off the bench and the Scot almost had a timely impact, but his fizzing effort hit a post and bounced away from goal.

With Basilio Rieno Socoliche, Noah Adekoya and Ackeme Francis-Burrell all also being introduced, Burnley had no outfield players left to call upon when defender Bradley Grant sustained a head injury in the 80th minute.

Late Tweedy strike earns all three points

The man advantage proved costly as Crewe took the lead for the first time through Will Perry and Burnley's luck declined even further shortly afterwards when Adekoya was dismissed for a second yellow card, leaving them to play the final three minutes plus stoppage time with nine men.

Allport scored his second in the 92nd minute to confirm the U21s' first loss since the defeat to Hull City on Saturday 9th March.

The Tigers are Burnley's next opponents on Tuesday 2nd April, with the match at Dransfield Stadium in North Ferriby due to kick off at 7pm.

Burnley: Forshaw, Carlin, Grant, Ward (Adekoya 65'), Ashton, Hugill, Tweedy (Rieno Socoliche 60'), McDermott, Masara, O'Neill (Bevan 60'), Torraj (Francis-Burrell 75')

Unused subs: Vilar Robinson

Crewe Alexandra: Lenarcik, Dancey, Sant, Williams, Trialist A, Senior, Trialist B, Moore, J. Perry, Agius, Allport

Subs: Armstrong, Smith, Ashe, W. Perry, Jatta

Goals: Masara 55', McDermott (OG) 70', Perry 85', Allport 90+2'