U21S PREVIEW: BURNLEY V AFC BOURNEMOUTH

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Clarets welcome Cherries to Turf

2024-03-21T19:00:00.000Z

U21S PREVIEW: BURNLEY V AFC BOURNEMOUTH

Clarets welcome Cherries to Turf

2024-03-21T19:00:00.000Z

Clarets welcome Cherries to Turf

Burnley U21s will look to build on back-to-back victories when they welcome AFC Bournemouth to Turf Moor in the Professional Development League on Friday afternoon.

This is the first of two games to be played at the Club's historic stadium before the end of the season, and the fixture follows a come-from-behind victory over Crewe Alexandra on Monday.

Having been 2-0 behind at halftime the Clarets produced a second-half display to remember, kickstarted by right-back Alex Healy-Byrne who scored his first goal for the Club with 52 minutes on the clock.

Vernon Masara, who was introduced at halftime by Manager Andy Farrell, then stole the show with his second hat-trick of the season. The last goal saw the 16-year-old pick the ball up in his own half, outwit defenders with his pace and trickery and pick out the bottom right corner.

The win followed a 4-0 triumph over Coventry City and as a result, Andy Farrell's squad currently sit 6th in the league table with 31 points from 18 matches.

It's set to be an exciting final two months of the season, with league leaders Birmingham City just 13 points better off having played six matches more.

AFC Bournemouth are enjoying a positive season of their own and currently hold 3rd position in the South section of the PDL table with 39 points from 22 matches.

The Professional Development League format sees the Clarets play every other northern section team home and away and every southern section team once, either home or away.

Alan Connell's Cherries were beaten 4-2 by Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Tuesday but won back-to-back games prior to that, beating Cardiff City 2-0 and putting five past Colchester United.

Burnley U21s were 3-0 winners the last time they played at Turf Moor, with Joe Westley, who is now on loan at AFC Fylde, scoring an impressive hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers in September.

Supporters are welcome to attend on Friday, with kick-off at 12pm.

Burnley season ticket holders can claim free entry on the turnstiles, with other adults priced at £5 and concessions at £2.

If you are unable to make it you can follow full coverage, from arrivals to kick-off, on X @ClaretsAcademy. There you will also find post-match reaction from Andy Farrell and his squad, while a match report will follow the final whistle on www.burnleyfc.com.