U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 READING

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Young Clarets unable to overturn hefty deficit

2026-01-30T22:00:01.839Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 READING

Young Clarets unable to overturn hefty deficit

2026-01-30T22:00:01.839Z

Young Clarets unable to overturn hefty deficit

Charlie Veevers scored a second-half consolation, but the damage had already been done as Burnley U21s lost 3-1 to Reading on Friday night.

The Royals scored twice in the first half and added another on the hour to condemn the young Clarets to a 10th Premier League 2 defeat of the season.

Andy Farrell made three changes to the side that started last week’s narrow reverse at Arsenal, with Charlie Casper returning in goal.

Second-year scholar Michael Stanley started alongside Murray Campbell in the heart of the defence, while Veevers stepped into the midfield.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 READING - Image 1

After an even start in which both teams had surges forward, the Royals took an 18th-minute lead from a set piece.

David Hicks’ corner found Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith on the edge and after his shot cannoned off a post, Ashqar Ahmed had a tap in from close range.

Emmanuel Osho then smacked the underside of the bar from eight yards as Reading continued to dominate, before Reece Evans made it 2-0 with another close-range finish win the 42nd minute.

The visitors started the second half with a similar level of control, and Evans scored his second and the team’s third just before the hour mark.

Farrell turned to his bench during the celebrations, replacing Ellis Clark with Vernon Masara.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 READING - Image 2

Veevers struck 10 minutes later. Good work from first team winger Enock Agyei got him to the byline, and the Belgian cut back for the former Swansea man to wrong foot Harrison Rhone.

Agyei and Brandon Pouani then made way for Zach Johnson and Marley Leuluai respectively, sparking a formation change to five at the back.

The young Clarets started to enjoy more of the ball as a result and recent addition Cameron Scott made his debut in defence with 10 minutes to play.

Johnson came agonisingly close to connecting with a whipped Veevers cross and Kian McMahon-Brown had the ball taken off his toe in stoppage-time as Burnley continued to push for a second goal.

It didn’t come, though, and the team remain 27th in the 29-team table.

Burnley: Casper, Blackie (Scott 78), Pimlott, Stanley, Campbell, Brierley, Agyei (Johnson 71), Clark (Masara 59), McMahon-Brown, Veevers, Pouani (Leuluai 71)

Unused Substitutes: Cooney

Reading: Rhone, Ahmed, Cliff, Sackey, Stickland, Duah, Coke-Miles-Smith, Hicks, Evans (Fuller-Thompson 68), Okine-Peters, Osho (Jones 46)

Unused Substitutes: Welland, Zie, Dove

Goals: Ahmed 18’, Evans 42’, 59’, Veevers 69’