U21s MATCH REPORT: COLCHESTER UNITED 1-4 BURNLEY

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Superb second half sees Clarets secure comfortable victory

2023-09-01T20:00:00.000Z

U21s MATCH REPORT: COLCHESTER UNITED 1-4 BURNLEY

Superb second half sees Clarets secure comfortable victory

2023-09-01T20:00:00.000Z

Superb second half sees Clarets secure comfortable victory

Burnley FC’s U21s side cruised to a 4-1 victory over Colchester United in the Professional Development League at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Kaan Bennett netted early for the hosts before Joe Westley equalised on the half hour mark.

The Clarets came out in the second half a different side, Lewis Richardson put them in front and Westley bagged once more to gain a two-goal advantage.

Substitute Lucas Wane secured the victory when he scored the fourth and capped off a fantastic evening for the U21s.

Burnley made five changes from Tuesday’s cup victory against Barrow, with Denis Franchi, a Trialist, and Tom Tweedy amongst those to drop out and Owen Dodgson and Marcel Lewis moving out on loan earlier in the day.

Charlie Casper, Alex Healy-Byrne, Joe Ashton, Brad Grant and Kian Le Fondre were those to come into the side.

U21s MATCH REPORT: COLCHESTER UNITED 1-4 BURNLEY - Image 1

First Half

The hosts caught Burnley out in the opening few minutes and were in front after Bennett drilled a low strike towards goal and past Casper.

Oscar Thorn had a half chance that was deflected over shortly after, before Richardson drove forward with the ball and played in Basilio Rieno Socoliche, but his cut back to Grant was hammered over by the full-back.

Casper was then called into action, pushing a strike from Kennedy Mupomba away from the target.

From that save, the Clarets countered and Westley – who scored in Tuesday’s cup victory, was slotted through on goal and placed the ball into the bottom corner for the equaliser.

Second Half

Learning from their slow start in the first half, the Clarets took a hold of the game early in the second 45, with Westley heading just over.

U21s MATCH REPORT: COLCHESTER UNITED 1-4 BURNLEY - Image 2

Jet Dyer then forced Casper into a stop as the U’s looked to get back into the game, and Bennett headed onto the post following a lobbed cross over the Burnley stopper’s head.

A fantastic piece of play from the Claret U21s followed, Grant sent a ball over the top to Westley, who sent a half-volley back across goal for Richardson to tap Burnley in front.

And it was soon 3-1, with forward Westley rising highest at the back post to nod into the ground and past Sam Hornby.

Substitute Lucas Wane sealed the three points, after a free-kick, that Wane won himself, was played into Jez Davies, who’s strike was parried into the path of the substitute, and he easily tapped home.

U21s MATCH REPORT: COLCHESTER UNITED 1-4 BURNLEY - Image 3

The U21s are back in action next Friday – 8th September – when they welcome Queens Park Rangers to the Lancashire FA County Ground in the Professional Development League.

Colchester United: Hornby, Dyer, Terry (Lowe ‘60), Kennedy ©, Nelson, Beadle, Mupomba (Yates ‘60), Dilaver, Green (Amian ‘69), Thorn, Bennett

Unused Subs: Berry, Peglar

Burnley: Casper, Healy-Byrne, Grant, Ashton, Sassi, Davies, Socoliche, Hugill, Westley, Richardson (Wane ‘76), Le Fondre (Rogers ‘80)

Unused Subs: Waller, West, Sime

Goals: Bennett, ‘2, Westley, ‘30, ‘70, Richardson, ‘63, Wane, ‘82