U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 3-2 BRENTFORD

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Young Clarets progress in Premier League Cup

2026-02-09T22:03:08.147Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 3-2 BRENTFORD

Young Clarets progress in Premier League Cup

2026-02-09T22:03:08.147Z

Young Clarets progress in Premier League Cup

Kian McMahon-Brown’s hat-trick helped Burnley U21s to a 3-2 victory over Brentford that booked their place in the quarter finals of the Premier League Cup on Friday night.

The young Clarets had to withstand a late siege at the County Ground in Leyland but did enough to make it back-to-back victories.

There were two changes to the team that started Friday’s Lancashire FA Senior Cup victory over Wigan Athletic, with Zach Johnson replacing Enock Agyei on the right wing.

Fellow first teamer James Ward-Prowse made way for Ellis Clark in what was a young squad, with eight of the 16 being first- or second-year scholars.

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

The visitors had the first effort of note with less than 10 minutes on the clock when Michel Boni found too much space in the area, but the striker could only fire over the top.

Andy Farrell’s side grew into it there onwards, with Vernon Masara miscuing a presentable volley before McMahon-Brown broke the deadlock in the 25th minute.

After latching onto a loose back pass, the Republic of Ireland youth international confidently rounded the Brentford ‘keeper and fired into the bottom left corner.

It was 2-0 not long before half-time. After excellent footwork from Brandon Pouani to win a penalty McMahon-Brown’s spot-kick was saved, but the youngster was first onto the rebound.

Brentford reduced the deficit in first-half stoppage-time through Kyrie Pierre, who controlled Riley Owen’s cross and poked home from six yards.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 3-2 BRENTFORD - Image 2

The Clarets didn’t let that affect their momentum after the break as Johnson worked Marley Tavaziva low to his left before McMahon-Brown completed his hat-trick.

Masara collected George Brierley’s sweeping pass and turned on the after burners, surging inside and fizzing a perfect ball for McMahon-Brown to finish first time from close range.

It wasn’t all one way-traffic, though, and Oisin Cooney produced a flying save to his left to maintain the two-goal advantage shortly afterwards.

With the game now developing some spice Farrell turned to his bench twice in quick succession, replacing Pouani and Roman Egan-Riley with Troy Savage and Michael Stanley respectively.

A trialist cut back for Boni to make it 3-2 and set up an interesting finish eight minutes from time, with the fourth official signalling for seven extra minutes.

Brentford had two fantastic chances either side of Marley Leuluai replacing Zach Johnson, the first of which saw the trialist fire narrowly wide on the slide.

Boni then missed a similar chance with virtually the last kick, sparking cheers of relief on the final whistle.

Burnley: Cooney, Blackie, Pimlott, Egan-Riley (Stanley 74), Campbell, Brierley, Johnson (Leuluai 90+7), Clark, McMahon-Brown, Pouani (Savage 72), Masara

Unused Substitutes: Scanlon, Derbyshire

Brentford: Tavaziva, Wheeler-Henry, McManus, Kilmas (Redknapp 46), McKnight, Owen, Mawene (Trialist 56), Grey, Boni, Pierre, Laidlaw

Unused Substitutes: Wolfheimer, Honor, Asemokhai