U21s MATCH REPORT: WIGAN ATHLETIC 0-1 BURNLEY

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Clarets battle to hard-fought win at Latics

2023-09-25T13:00:00.000Z

U21s MATCH REPORT: WIGAN ATHLETIC 0-1 BURNLEY

Clarets battle to hard-fought win at Latics

2023-09-25T13:00:00.000Z

Clarets battle to hard-fought win at Latics

Burnley FC’s U21s side got back to winning ways when they played Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium in the Professional Development League, as they battled to a 1-0 victory.

Joe Westley netted the only goal of the game – and his sixth in the league this season – on the brink of half time and the Clarets defended well to see out the three points.

There was two changes from the 4-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the week, with Denis Franchi and Dan Sassi returning to the side in place of Charlie Casper and Logan Pye.

First Half

It was a frantic first ten minutes as Joe Adams saw an early effort blocked, Will Hugill’s cross just missed a Burnley head and Franchi got down well to deny Josh Stones.

The Italian stopper was called into action once more moments later, as winger Jonny Smith curled a powerful effort towards goal that Franchi palmed away.

U21s MATCH REPORT: WIGAN ATHLETIC 0-1 BURNLEY - Image 1

As the Clarets withstood the Latics pressure and managed to create a chance of their own ten minutes before the break, as Westley swivelled on the edge before shooting just wide.

And it would be Westley that broke the deadlock just before the half time whistle, as Logan Pye sent a ball over the top that the forward chested down before hammering past Tom Watson into the top of the net.

Second Half

The visitors should have levelled five minutes into the second half when Harry McHugh’s corner was somehow turned onto the bar by Stones from point-blank range.

A period of dominance then began for the Latics with Chris Sze forcing Franchi to save low before Joe Ashton did superbly to get across and block Adams' strike.

Franchi pulled off another brilliant save soon after, as midfielder Youssef Chentouf found space in the area and the Clarets ‘keeper denied him with his feet.

U21s MATCH REPORT: WIGAN ATHLETIC 0-1 BURNLEY - Image 2

It was becoming a personal battle between Sze and Franchi, and the Burnley stopper came out on top once more when the Wigan midfielder shot low but saw his effort saved by the Italian.

The hosts almost found the equaliser with a minute to go as Smith sent a free kick towards goal from 30 yards out that bounced off the outside of the post and away for a goal kick.

With what was the last chance of the game, Franchi did superbly once more to acrobatically tip over from Sze and secure the three points for the Clarets.

The U21s are back in action on Saturday – 30th September – when they welcome Fleetwood Town to the Burnley Training Centre in the Professional Development League.

Wigan Athletic: Watson, Reilly, Mitchell ©, McHugh, Sessegnon (Hampson ‘46), Adams (Sharif ‘78), Patne, Chentouf, Smith, Sze, Stones

Unused Subs: Corran, Trialist, Sandison

Burnley: Franchi, Healy-Byrne, Ashton, Pye, Sassi (Campbell ‘67), Davies, Socoliche, Hugill, Westley, Richardson (Le Fondre ‘83), Tweedy

Unused Subs: Moss, West, Wane

Goals: Westley ‘44