U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 3-1 BARNSLEY

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Young Clarets continue winning form

2024-10-15T20:51:01.945Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 3-1 BARNSLEY

Young Clarets continue winning form

2024-10-15T20:51:01.945Z

Young Clarets continue winning form

Burnley U21s stretched their winning run to four matches in all competitions with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Barnsley on Tuesday evening.

After the Tykes took an early lead Joe Bauress, Vernon Masara and João Mendes all struck to earn the young Clarets a fifth Professional Development League triumph of the season.

There were several changes to the 11 that started Saturday’s Premier League Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion, with Lewis Forshaw returning to keep goal.

Hamzat Balogun came in at right back and, following the end of his loan spell at Hyde United, Joe Ashton played at left centre-back.

Further up the field Brandon Ly, Mendes and Masara were all given starting berths.

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

Barnsley started quickly and broke the deadlock through Callum West’s close-range finish in the fifth minute.

The Tykes converted that goal into a sustained period of early pressure with Forshaw having to deny Emmaisia Nzondo twice in quick succession.

Their inability to add a second cost them, though, when Bauress picked up the ball just inside the Barnsley half and, spotting ‘keeper Kieren Flavell off his line, unleashed a precise effort into the top right corner.

The game continued in end-to-end fashion with both teams intent on attacking.

After Masara and Tommy McDermott both fired wide of the target it was the former who gave Burnley the lead right before half-time.

Having been picked out by a fantastic Mendes pass, the winger found the bottom right corner powerfully from 20 yards for his third goal of the season.

U21S PREVIEW: WIGAN ATHLETIC V BURNLEY - Image 1

That was Masara’s last action as he was replaced by Joe Bevan in a pre-planned change at the interval.

Barnsley’s Nathan James had the first second-half chance of note, but unfortunately for him his header went wide of the left-hand post.

Burnley then increased their lead to two through Mendes, who reacted quickest after Benn Ward’s header cannoned off a post to score from close range.

Farrell turned to his bench soon after in a bid to sure up the three points with Will Hugill, Tom Tweedy and Alex Healy-Byrne all coming on.

Barnsley continued to push forward in search of an equaliser but it was the Clarets who came closest to finding the fifth goal of the game when top scorer Kamarni Ryan’s header was saved at point-blank range in stoppage time.

The result takes the U21s up to 2nd in the table with 17 points from 10 matches, with Sheffield United leading the way.

Farrell’s side continue their Professional Development League campaign with a trip to Wigan Athletic on Tuesday 22nd October. Kick-off at their Christopher Park training ground is 1pm.

Burnley: Forshaw, Balogun, Grant, Ward, Ashton, Bauress (Hugill 64), Mendes (Healy-Byrne 73), Ly, Ryan, McDermott (Tweedy 64), Masara (Bevan 46)

Unused Substitutes: Vilar Robinson

Barnsley: Flavell, Nesman (Kay 79), McCann (Trialist 51), James, Barratt, Makiessi, Chapman, Bland, Nzondo, Graham (Alker 63), West

Unused Substitutes: Thompson, Wilson

Goals: West 5’, Bauress 19’, Masara 44’, Mendes 56’