U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 4-1 READING

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Convincing win to finish Premier League Cup group stages

2025-02-04T16:30:00.000Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 4-1 READING

Convincing win to finish Premier League Cup group stages

2025-02-04T16:30:00.000Z

Convincing win to finish Premier League Cup group stages

Kamarni Ryan scored twice as Burnley U21s finished their Premier League Cup group stage campaign with a 4-1 victory over Reading on Tuesday evening.

The striker scored at the end of both halves on a productive night for the Young Clarets, with João Mendes and Joe Ashton also finding the back of the net.

There were two changes to the side that started last week’s 4-0 win at Barnsley, and both were enforced with Joe Bevan and Tom Tweedy joining Carlisle United and AFC Fylde respectively.

Enock Agyei took the wide right role as he steps up his recovery from injury, while Tommy McDermott filled the vacant central attacking midfield position.

Mendes got the young Clarets off to the perfect start, beating Reading ‘keeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke at his near post with a powerful left-footed effort less than two minutes in.

The lead didn’t last long, though, as Jack Senga curled the ball into the bottom right corner from 20 yards with nine minutes on the clock.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 4-1 READING - Image 1

Andy Farrell’s side looked threatening every time they went forwards and twice went close to a second goal before the half hour.

The first effort saw McDermott clear the frame of the goal after a smart pull back from Hamzat Balogun, before centre-back Ashton’s header found the side netting from a Veevers cross.

Reading enjoyed more possession and territory as the first half progressed, but Ryan struck again on the stroke of half-time to give the young Clarets an advantage at the break.

The 19-year-old latched onto Veevers’ lofted through ball and finished calmy one-on-one past Boyce-Clarke.

Agyei made way for U18s winger Zach Johnson in a planned change at the break and Farrell was forced into another switch soon after, with Noah Adekoya replacing Logan Pye.

Johnson’s eyes lit up when he was presented with a shooting opportunity 20 yards out for his first touch, but the youngster’s effort was straight at the ‘keeper.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 4-1 READING - Image 2

With the game starting to drift Farrell turned to his bench again in the 66th minute in a change that saw Brandon Ly replace Veevers.

Ly had the ball in the back of the net just a minute later when, after watching Balogun’s diagonal pass over his shoulder, he volleyed into the bottom left corner.

Unfortunately for him, the linesman ruled the goal out for offside.

It was Ashton who eventually put the result beyond doubt and Ly was the provider, floating a lovely ball in for the defender to pick out the bottom left corner with a firm header.

Kian McMahon-Brown replaced McDermott 10 minutes from time and the 16-year-old set up the fourth and final goal of the night, sliding through Ryan to pick out the top right corner.

The result means the Clarets finish top of Premier League Cup Group G with 16 points from a possible 18 and progress to the last 16 stage.

Farrell’s side are next in action on Friday 7th February when Morecambe visit Burnley Training Centre in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup. Kick-off is 1pm.

Burnley: Vilar Robinson, Balogun, Pye (Adekoya 48), Ashton, Campbell, Bauress, Agyei (Johnson 46), Veevers (Ly 66), Ryan, McDermott (McMahon-Brown 80), Mendes

Unused Substitutes: Socoliche

Reading: Boyce-Clarke, Beacroft, Source (Spencer 63), Senga, Stickland (Harrison 85), Borgnis, Osho, Wellens (Howard 85), Okine-Peters (George 63), Sackey, Ahmed

Unused Substitutes: Norcott

Goals: Mendes 2’, Senga 9’, Ryan 45’, 91’, Ashton 76’