U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 3-1 ACCRINGTON STANLEY

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Three Central League Cup points for Clarets

2024-02-20T15:58:15.055Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 3-1 ACCRINGTON STANLEY

Three Central League Cup points for Clarets

2024-02-20T15:58:15.055Z

U21S PREVIEW: ACCRINGTON STANLEY V BURNLEY - Image 2

Burnley U21s maintained their winning start to this season’s Central League Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Accrington Stanley on Tuesday afternoon.

A Tommy McDermott brace and a late Tom Tweedy goal mean the young Clarets have now won all three Group B matches to date, with a tie against Wrexham to come next month.

Manager Andy Farrell made three changes to the team that started Friday’s Professional Development League victory over Peterborough United.

Charlie Casper was introduced in goal, with Bradley Grant and Michael Parker coming in on the left.

Accrington, whose team featured several players with League Two experience and were led by first team coach John Doolan, made a quick start at the Burnley Training Centre.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 3-1 ACCRINGTON STANLEY - Image 1

After Alex Henderson headed straight at Casper, Aaron Pickles flicked another header wide soon after.

However, the Clarets were in front after 14 minutes. After strong play from captain Will Hugill to win the ball, Grant crossed for McDermott to convert from close range.

Henderson later tested Casper from range, but Burnley took a one-goal lead into the interval.

Farrell then shuffled his pack, introducing youngsters Murray Campbell and Vernon Masara at halftime and Tweedy soon after.

McDermott then scored his and the team’s second on 56 minutes. The midfielder calmly wrongfooted Accrington goalkeeper Jack McIntyre for his fourth goal in as many games.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 3-1 ACCRINGTON STANLEY - Image 2

That sparked the visitors into life, with Lewis Trickett curling one narrowly wide of the left-hand post shortly before producing a cross for Anjola Popoola to glance past Casper and make it 2-1.

Tweedy was showing positive attacking signs, hitting the outside of a post before later finding his way through on goal, only for a poor touch to let him down.

Fellow substitute Masara also worked McIntyre from a one-on-one situation before the game was wrapped up as it entered the 90th minute.

Good work from Mikey O’Neill saw his shot saved, but Tweedy reacted quickest to poke past the goalkeeper from close range.

It means that a result against Wrexham is likely to see the Clarets progress to the semi-finals of the ‘reserves’ competition.

The U21s are next in action on Tuesday 27th February, travelling to Fleetwood Town in the Professional Development League for a 1pm kick-off.

Burnley U21s: Casper, Healy-Byrne, Grant, Ward, Pye (Campbell 46’), Hugill, Bevan (Masara 46’), McDermott, O’Neill, Francis-Burrell (Torraj 67’), Parker (Tweedy 52’)

Unused Subs: Moss

Accrington Stanley: McIntyre, Quirk, Patrick, Martin, Poilly, Pickles, Adekoya, Trickett, Henderson, Massey, Smith

Subs: Riva, Popoola, Courton, Tunstall, Young

Goals: McDermott 14’, 56’, Popoola 63’, Tweedy 90’