U21S MATCH REPORT: CREWE ALEXANDRA 0-5 BURNLEY

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Socoliche’s brace helps young Clarets to third straight win

2025-04-18T11:00:00.000Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: CREWE ALEXANDRA 0-5 BURNLEY

Socoliche’s brace helps young Clarets to third straight win

2025-04-18T11:00:00.000Z

Socoliche’s brace helps young Clarets to third straight win

Burnley U21s climbed to second in the Professional Development League North table with a 5-0 victory at Crewe Alexandra on Good Friday.

Basilio Socoliche made an impact off the bench with two well-taken goals alongside strikes from Charlie Veevers, Joe Bauress and Oli Pimlott in the rain at Alexandra Park.

There were three changes to the side that started against Colchester United last time out, with Jon Ander Vilar Robinson retuning in goal.

Veevers took Aaron Ramsey’s place in the centre of midfield, while Vernon Masara came into the squad and started up front.

Both sides flicked headers wide in the opening 10 minutes, with Tommy McDermott doing so for the Clarets before Jordan Hodkin missed the target for the hosts.

Andy Farrell’s side had most of the ball and started to threaten more as the first half progressed, with Masara having a powerful effort blocked and Bauress curling another narrowly wide.

U21S PREVIEW: BURNLEY V BIRMINGHAM CITY - Image 2

The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute and it was a fine goal. When Veevers was given the ball on the left edge of the area, he produced a dipping strike that beat Mikolaj Lenarcik all ends up.

It was 2-0 just before half-time when Bauress converted Julien Vetro’s cross from close range.

Crewe rallied after the break and came close to halving the deficit twice in a minute. After Vilar Robinson produced a point blank save to deny Hodkin, Luca Moore hit the bar.

Farrell turned to his bench for the first time just after the hour, with Hamzat Balogun, Bauress and Tom Tweedy making way for Joe Ashton, Brandon Ly and Socoliche.

The Clarets started to up the intensity and after Healy-Byrne and Ly came close to adding a third of the afternoon, Joao Mendes replaced Vetro.

Three goals in 10 minutes then put the gloss on a positive result, with the first coming when Socoliche cut in from the left to pick out the bottom right corner.

U21S MATCH REPORT: CREWE ALEXANDRA 0-5 BURNLEY - Image 2

Straight after the goal, Assistant Manager Jack Cork replaced Tommy McDermott for his first appearance in a U21s shirt since turning to coaching in the summer.

Socoliche was at it again as the match headed towards stoppage time, producing great skill to beat two defenders and fire past Lenarcik.

Left-back Pimlott then completed the scoring with his first U21s goal, doing well to win a penalty, pick himself up and send the ‘keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.

The result takes the young Clarets above Hull City in the table with 50 points from 28 matches.

Next up is the visit of Watford to Turf Moor on Tuesday 22nd April, with kick-off at 1pm. Burnley season ticket holders can claim their free ticket online by clicking here.

Burnley: Vilar Robinson, Balogun (Ashton 62), Pimlott, Healy-Byrne, Pye, Bauress (Ly 62), Vetro (Mendes 74), Veevers, Masara, McDermott (Cork 83), Tweedy (Socoliche 62)

Crewe Alexandra: Lenarcik, Dancey, Sant (Taylor 46), Scott-Abel, Cooney, Connolly (Calder 61), Furlong, Ashe (Irwin 81), Hodkin, Moore, Finney (Mlynarski 61)

Unused Substitutes: Armstrong

Goals: Veevers 35’, Bauress 44’, Socoliche 82’, 89’, Pimlott 90+2’