U21S MATCH REPORT: SOLIHULL MOORS 0-0 BURNLEY (5-4 ON PENS)

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Shootout decides National League Cup tie

2025-09-16T21:57:58.970Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: SOLIHULL MOORS 0-0 BURNLEY (5-4 ON PENS)

Shootout decides National League Cup tie

2025-09-16T21:57:58.970Z

Shootout decides National League Cup tie

After 90 minutes couldn’t separate Burnley U21s and Solihull Moors, the Moors edged a high-quality penalty shootout to claim a bonus National League Cup point on Tuesday night.

There were two changes to the side that started against Leeds United U21s before the international break, with Jack McEvilly returning to the heart of the defence.

Zach Johnson made his first appearance of the season on the right flank, behind a strike pairing of Kamarni Ryan and Kian McMahon-Brown.

The opening stages were affected by an injury to Moors’ Emmanuel Sonupe and the hosts thought they’d opened the scoring through Bradley Stevenson, but he was ruled offside from a corner.

Stevenson, Solihull’s captain and talisman, continued to be influential when he chested another effort narrowly wide with 20 on the clock.

U21S MATCH REPORT: SOLIHULL MOORS 0-0 BURNLEY (5-4 ON PENS) - Image 1

Clarets ‘keeper Lewis Forshaw was then forced into action by Callum McFarlane, pushing the ball onto Stevenson and over.

Forshaw also dealt with tame efforts from Szhem Whyte-Hall and Oscar Rutherford comfortably before the break, with Burnley unable to work Rory Brown in the Moors goal.

The home team made two changes at the interval and started the second half on the front foot, with the newly introduced Charlie Watts firing narrowly wide on 50 minutes.

Forshaw then rushed off his line to smother the ball at the feet of McFarlane and hurt himself in the process, resulting in several minutes of stoppage.

Manager Andy Farrell made a triple change on the hour, with Johnson, Marley Leuluai and Ryan making way for U18s George Brierley, Fabio So, and Brandon Pouani respectively.

The switches added a spark into Burnley’s game as a sustained period of pressure forced Brown into action for the first time when McMahon-Brown swivelled and shot from the edge of the area.

U21S MATCH REPORT: SOLIHULL MOORS 0-0 BURNLEY (5-4 ON PENS) - Image 2

That was the Republic of Ireland youth international’s last involvement, with Joe Bevan coming on for the final 20 minutes in his first Clarets appearance since January.

Farrell’s side finished regular time the stronger of the two teams and had two presentable chances to nick a late winner.

After Jesse Williams headed a corner narrowly wide at the back post, fellow centre-back McEvilly smacked the cross-section of post and bar.

To penalties it went, and with the Moors faithful doing their best to create an intimidating atmosphere behind the goal, the Clarets produced four perfect penalties.

Oli Pimlott unfortunately struck his effort just over the top left corner, though, giving Whyte-Hall the opportunity to ensure the points would stay in the Midlands.

Burnley: Forshaw, Campbell, Pimlott, Williams, Ashton, McEvilly, Johnson (Brierley 60), Leuluai (So 60), Ryan (Pouani 60), McMahon-Brown (Bevan 70), Clark

Unused Substitutes: Cooney, Blackie

Solihull Moors: Brown, McFarlane, Bowen, Lipsiuc, Jackson, Tipton, Sonupe (Holmes 4), Rutherford (Watts 46), Howell, Whyte-Hall, Stevenson (Corns 46)

Unused Substitutes: Walker, Moseley