U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 8-1 BIRMINGHAM CITY

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Young Clarets run riot in Professional Development League

2024-12-03T23:58:21.580Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 8-1 BIRMINGHAM CITY

Young Clarets run riot in Professional Development League

2024-12-03T23:58:21.580Z

Young Clarets run riot in Professional Development League

Burnley U21s returned to winning ways in convincing fashion on Tuesday night, beating Birmingham City 8-1 under the lights at the County Ground in Leyland.

Joe Westley was the star of the show with four goals, three of which came in an 11-minute spell in the first half, while Tommy McDermott netted a brace.

Charlie Veevers and João Mendes were also on the scoresheet on a hugely successful night for Andy Farrell’s side, who recorded their eighth league victory of the season.

There were six changes to the team that started last week’s penalty shootout defeat to Barrow AFC in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup, with Lewis Forshaw keeping goal.

Hjalmar Ekdal and Joe Worrall were the starting centre-back partnership as they continue their respective come backs from injury, with Logan Pye playing at left-back.

Further forwards, McDermott and Lewis Richardson played in the middle and to the left of the three behind Westley, with the latter making his first start of the season.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 8-1 BIRMINGHAM CITY - Image 1

An action-packed start saw Birmingham take the lead after just six minutes through Daniel Isichei, who cut in from the left and picked out the bottom right corner.

Westley levelled five minutes later, latching onto Veevers’ expert outside-of-the-boot pass to finish calmly past Will O’Sullivan.

The striker then powered a finish past the City ‘keeper to make it 2-1, before completing a superb 11 hat-trick following good work from Pye down the left.

Then came arguably the best goal of the night from McDermott, who looped the ball into the top right corner from 20 yards out.

There was still stime for another before the break and it was McDermott who got it, rounding the 'keeper to score after a cheeky nutmeg from Tom Tweedy.

Worrall was replaced by Delcroix in a planned change at half-time and it took about 45 seconds for Westley to net again, latching onto a Tweedy pass to dink the on-rushing O’Sullivan.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 8-1 BIRMINGHAM CITY - Image 2

Joe Bauress wore the captain’s armband for the night and came agonisingly close to adding a seventh, but his powerful long-range strike was tipped onto the bar and away.

Veevers was able to apply the finishing touch on the hour, though, turning well in a tight space before finishing smartly into the bottom right corner.

Farrell continued to rotate his squad during a busy fixture schedule and after Joe Ashton replaced Pye and Mendes came on for Richardson, Brandon Ly was introduced for Ekdal.

It didn’t take long for Mendes to have an impact as the Brazilian linked up well with Hamzat Balogun down the right to slot in from close to the byline.

The young Clarets stay 3rd in the Professional Development League North section table with 26 points from 14 matches - seven points less than leaders Sheffield United who have played a match more.

Next up is a lengthy trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, where a draw would guarantee progression to the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup.

Burnley: Forshaw, Balogun, Pye (Ashton 61), Ekdal (Ly 70), Worrall (Delcroix 46), Bauress, Tweedy, Veevers, Westley, McDermott, Richardson (Mendes 61)

Unused Substitutes: Ward

Birmingham City: O’Sullivan, Pendleton, Boakye, Pennington, Kamara (Sanders 46), Mazwi, Betteka, Isichei, Pergelov (Donovan 58), Willis, Wodskou (Bateman 58)

Unused Substitutes: Sayer, Ellis

Goals: Isichei 5’, Westley 11’, 15’, 22’, 46’, McDermott 26’, 45+1’, Veevers 60’, Mendes 75’