U21S MATCH REPORT: FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-1 BURNLEY (2-4 PENS)

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Forshaw the penalty hero once again

2025-03-14T17:09:57.130Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-1 BURNLEY (2-4 PENS)

Forshaw the penalty hero once again

2025-03-14T17:09:57.130Z

Forshaw the penalty hero once again

Burnley U21s beat Fleetwood Town on penalties on Friday afternoon to book their place in the final of the Lancashire FA Senior Cup.

Alex Healy-Byrne thought he’d won it late on in regular time, but Fleetwood goalkeeper Oliver Bellizia ventured forward to head in a stoppage-time corner and take it to a shootout.

There were three changes to the side that started the Premier League Cup victory over Sunderland earlier this week, with Andy Farrell introducing three second-year scholars from the off.

Noah Adekoya stepped into the defence in place of Logan Pye, while Zach Johnson and Benji Wetshi occupied the wide positions either side of striker Kamarni Ryan.

In truth the first half was one of few clear-cut chances, with Clarets ‘keeper Lewis Forshaw called into a handful of comfortable claims.

Ryan came closest for Burnley during the first 45 when, after good work from Tommy McDermott down the left, his header forced Bellizia into action low to his right.

U21S MATCH REPORT: FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-1 BURNLEY (2-4 PENS) - Image 1

Shortly before the break the referee awarded Fleetwood a penalty for a foul by Forshaw, but an offside earlier in the move denied them a spot-kick.

The young Clarets came out of the traps a bit quicker in the second half, with captain Joe Bauress pulling the strings from his deep lying midfield role.

Twice he linked up with Tom Tweedy, but the winger’s shot was blocked first time before the Welshman misjudged the flight of the ball after another pinpoint pass.

Manager Andy Farrell then made a triple change on the hour, bringing on Logan Pye, Charlie Veevers and Basilio Socoliche in place of Joe Ashton, Johnson and Wetshi.

Fleetwood made a substitution at the same time and the switches sparked the match into life, with Veevers crossing for Socoliche to head narrowly wide less than a minute later.

After Fin Cross-Adair and Dannen Francis both worked Forshaw in a minute at the other end, Farrell’s fourth change saw Healy-Byrne replace Hamzat Balogun at right-back.

U21S MATCH REPORT: FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-1 BURNLEY (2-4 PENS) - Image 2

Tweedy was the last player to make way with 15 minutes to play and his replacement Brandon Ly thought he’d found the opener less than 60 seconds later, but his header was ruled out for offside.

After a sustained period of pressure the Clarets did eventually break the deadlock in the 88th minute through Healy-Byrne, who started and finished a well-worked team move with a confident finish.

However, there was still time for late drama when Bellizia planted a last-gasp corner into the bottom left corner to spark celebrations on the touchline and force penalties.

After Bauress dispatched the opening effort from 12 yards, Forshaw read Mikey Lane’s penalty and saved with a strong dive low to his right.

Veevers, Murray Campbell and McDermott all then hit the target before Forshaw was the hero again, diving to his left this time to deny Pele Smith and confirm a 4-2 victory.

The young Clarets will face either Barrow or Bolton Wanderers in the final, but attention now turns a Professional Development League match against Fleetwood Town at Turf Moor on Tuesday 18th March.

Burnley: Forshaw, Balogun (Healy-Byrne 66), Ashton (Pye 60), Adekoya, Campbell, Bauress, Johnson (Veevers 60), Tweedy (Ly 75), Ryan, McDermott, Wetshi (Socoliche 60)

Unused Substitutes: Vilar Robinson

Fleetwood Town: Bellizia, Cirino, Thompson, Smith, Mansfield, Johnson (McLean 60), Wilkinson (Ruocco 74), Trialist A, Lane, Cross-Adair, Francis (Trialist B 79)

Unused Substitutes: Cragg, Currie

Goals: Healy-Byrne 88’, Bellizia 90+2