U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Young Clarets beaten in Premier League Cup

2025-11-20T22:12:37.915Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Young Clarets beaten in Premier League Cup

2025-11-20T22:12:37.915Z

Young Clarets beaten in Premier League Cup

Despite taking a first-half lead, Burnley U21s fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to Queens Park Rangers on Thursday night.

Benji Wetshi was on target with a well-taken finish for Andy Farrell’s side, but the visitors hit back to earn all three points in Premier League Cup Group F.

There were two changes from the side that started against Newcastle United before the international break, with Lewis Forshaw returning in goal.

Wetshi made his first start of the season at the other end of the pitch, while George Brierley retained his position in midfield on his 18th birthday.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 QUEENS PARK RANGERS - Image 1

It was an action-packed start to proceedings, with both teams having two chances apiece in the opening 10 minutes.

Burnley’s first one saw Oli Pimlott’s teasing cross cleared off the line, before Ellis Clark clipped the top of the bar with a placed effort from 22 yards.

The young Clarets then took control of the game and earned a deserved lead in the 28th minute.

Brandon Pouani led a quick counter and teed up Wetshi, who whipped his first goal of the season into the bottom right corner.

QPR were behind for just three minutes, though, when after Murray Campbell was adjudged to have fouled his man in the box, Ridwanullahi Hassan swept in from the penalty spot.

It was the visitors who had the ascendancy for the rest of the first half, but Forshaw saved their best effort from the right boot of Jaiden Putman.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 QUEENS PARK RANGERS - Image 2

The Londoners did take the lead two minutes after the restart when Jaylan Pearman surged forwards from the halfway line and powered an effort off the underside of the bar and in.

Campbell had two presentable chances to level it before the hour, but both of his headers from set pieces were too high.

Forshaw stood tall to deny Alexander Aoraha shortly before Farrell turned to his bench for the first time, replacing Wetshi with Zach Johnson.

U18s striker Braidin Derbyshire later replaced Joe Bevan but QPR ensured they’d be taking the points back to London with less than 10 minutes of regular time to play.

When the ball found its way to substitute Archie O’Brien 16 yards from goal, the number 12 confidently picked out the bottom left corner

Corey King made his U21s debut in place of Campbell at the same time as Pouani made way for Marley Leuluai, and the young Clarets kept pushing forwards in search of a route back.

It wasn’t to be, though, and Burnley sit 2nd in Group F with six points from a possible nine.

Burnley: Forshaw, Campbell (King 85), Pimlott, Williams, Ashton, Brierley, Bevan (Derbyshire 76), Clark, Wetshi (Johnson 70), Masara, Pouani (Leuluai 85)

Unused Substitutes: Chester

Queens Park Rangers: Warren, Putman, Leahy, Wilkie, Akindileni, Aoraha, Pearman, Dyke (O’Brien 70), Hassan (Kennedy 76), Alemayehu (Sanyaoulu 70), Coomes

Unused Substitutes: Halliday, Street

Goals: Wetshi 28’, Hassan 31’, Pearman 47’, O’Brien 81’