U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 WIGAN ATHLETIC

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Young Clarets lose for first time in six

2025-02-18T23:02:05.422Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 WIGAN ATHLETIC

Young Clarets lose for first time in six

2025-02-18T23:02:05.422Z

Young Clarets lose for first time in six

Basilio Socoliche’s second-half goal wasn’t enough to start a comeback of note as Burnley U21s lost 3-1 to Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.

The Latics stormed into a three-goal lead and held on for three valuable Professional Development League points at the County Ground in Leyland.

There were two changes to the XI that started last week’s win at Coventry City, with first-team goalkeeper Etienne Green taking the place of Jon Ander Vilar Robinson.

Following his cameo in Warwickshire, Jesse Williams slotted in at centre-back alongside Murray Campbell, while Julien Vetro continued on the left wing.

It was the visitors who started brightest and Green was forced into two fine saves in the opening five minutes.

After smothering the ball at the feet of Jack Reilly, the stopper produced a strong left hand to deny the same player.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 WIGAN ATHLETIC - Image 1

In a scrappy affair both teams enjoyed periods of possession and Tommy McDermott was the first player to work Reading ‘keeper Matt Corran, but his 20-yard free-kick was pushed out to safety.

The young Clarets earned a foothold from that point with Vetro looking particularly threatening, but it was Wigan who scored the only goal of the first half with less than five minutes to play.

After another good save by Green, Harrison Bettoni was on hand to sweep the ball in from close range.

Manager Andy Farrell made a planned change at the break, with Williams making way for a trialist as he manages his return to action.

The visitors doubled their lead within three minutes of the restart, though, when Leo Graham cut in from the left and picked out the bottom right corner with power.

Charlie Veevers almost responded immediately when he latched on to Joao Mendes’ first-time cross, but Corran was on hand to save again.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 1-3 WIGAN ATHLETIC - Image 2

Burnley’s second change of the night saw second-year scholar Luca Jackson replace Hamzat Balogun on the hour bit Wigan scored a third soon after through Tom Costello.

Farrell’s final roll of the dice saw three switches at the same time as Veevers, Vetro and Mendes made way for Brandon Ly, Adam Abbas and Socoliche respectively.

Socoliche netted his first goal of the season three minutes after his introduction, latching on to Jackson’s perfectly weighted cross to slide the ball over the line at the far post.

The young Clarets kept pushing forward in search of a route back into the match and Abbas came closest to netting the team’s second but fired a presentable chance wide.

It finished 3-1 to the Latics and the result keeps Burnley’s points tally at 38 points from 20 matches, leaving them 3rd in the 11-team North section table.

Burnley: Green, Balogun (Jackson 60), Ashton, Campbell, Williams (Trialist 46), Bauress, Mendes (Socoliche 68), Veevers (Ly 68), Ryan, McDermott, Vetro (Abbas 68)

Wigan Athletic: Corran, Chapman, Miller, Knott (Bolland 52), Robinson, Brennan, Bettoni (Igifhon 52), Boyle, Costello (Simms 67), Reilly, Graham

Unused Substitutes: Spinelli, Rimmer

Goals: Bettoni 41’, Graham 48’, Costello 63’, Socoliche 71’