U21S MATCH REPORT: QUEENS PARK RANGERS 2-0 BURNLEY

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Young Clarets beaten in London

2025-04-30T21:35:48.495Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: QUEENS PARK RANGERS 2-0 BURNLEY

Young Clarets beaten in London

2025-04-30T21:35:48.495Z

Young Clarets beaten in London

Burnley U21s’ Premier League Cup journey came to an end at the semi final stage on Wednesday night, courtesy of a 2-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

A 75th minute penalty broke the deadlock and with the young Clarets pushing forward in search of an equalising goal, Rangers added a second in stoppage-time at the end of the 90.

There were five changes to the side that started Friday’s 3-0 league victory at Fleetwood Town, with Charlie Casper keeping goal for the first time since the start of January.

Murray Campbell and Logan Pye formed a new centre-back pairing, while captain Joe Bauress returned to his usual holding midfield role.

Further forwards, Julien Vetro got the nod to the right of striker Kian McMahon-Brown at MATRADE Loftus Road.

U21S MATCH REPORT: QUEENS PARK RANGERS 2-0 BURNLEY - Image 1

QPR had the better of the opening stages, with Hamzat Balogun clearing off the line and Casper reacting quickly to save Jack McDowell’s header in the opening 10 minutes.

The young Clarets started to gain more of a foothold though, playing through the lines with Bauress and Savage dropping deep to collect the ball.

McDermott was the first Burnley player to work Nathan Shepperd with a volley from the edge of the area and Savage later forced the QPR ‘keeper into a flying save to his right.

The home team came inches away from an opening goal on the stroke of half-time when, following a quick counter-attack, Emmerson Sutton hit the left-hand post.

They subsequently carried that momentum into the second half when Daniel Bennie forced another smart stop from Casper.

Manager Andy Farrell turned to his bench for the first time shortly before the hour as a result, with McMahon-Brown and Savage making way for Kamarni Ryan and Charlie Veevers respectively.

U21S MATCH REPORT: QUEENS PARK RANGERS 2-0 BURNLEY - Image 2

Veevers settled into his shooting groove straight away and Julien Vetro later powered an effort goal bound as we pushed for in search of an opening goal.

Alex Healy-Byrne replaced Hamzat Balogun in the 72nd minute, and it was the Irishman who was adjudged to have committed a foul in his own penalty area three minutes later.

Murphy stepped up to take the spot-kick and fired it into the roof of the net, giving the Clarets an uphill task to try and make the final of the competition.

Farrell’s final change of the night saw U18s defender Jack McEvilly replace Tom Tweedy and the Clarets huffed and puffed, with Veevers coming close.

Because of that, Petrie was able to confirm the result with a close-range finish deep into stoppage-time.

The U21s finish their regular Professional Development League season away at Cardiff City on Tuesday 6th May and will then compete in the end-of-season play-offs, with fixture details still to be confirmed.

Burnley: Casper, Balogun (Healy-Byrne 72), Pimlott, Pye, Campbell, Bauress, Vetro, Savage (Veevers 57), McMahon-Brown (Ryan 57), McDermott, Tweedy (McEvilly 84)

Unused Substitutes: Forshaw

Queens Park Rangers: Shepperd, Putman, Da Silva, McDowell (Leahy 90+4), Wilkie, Tuck, Bennie (Petrie 89), Morgan (O’Brien 90+2), Kolli (Dillon 46), Murphy, Sutton

Unused Substitutes: Halliday

Goals: Murphy 75’, Petrie 90+6’