U21S SEASON REVIEW: PART TWO

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A month-by-month look back at 2023/24…

2024-05-24T09:00:00.000Z

U21S SEASON REVIEW: PART TWO

A month-by-month look back at 2023/24…

2024-05-24T09:00:00.000Z

A month-by-month look back at 2023/24…

JANUARY

Andy Farrell’s U21s started 2024 by welcoming Wigan Athletic to the County Ground, Leyland, with the match finishing one all.

Two cup games followed, starting with a 2-2 draw away at Brentford in the Premier League Cup.

Then came an impressive Lancashire FA Senior Cup victory over Everton at Finch Farm, with all four goals coming in a strong first-half display.

In the last week of the month Jez Davies joined League Two side Salford City on loan until the end of the season.

FEBRUARY

February started with a busy transfer deadline day as four players arrived to bolster the young Clarets’ options.

Joe Bevan and Tommy McDermott penned 18-month deals from Albion Rovers and Port Vale respectively, while Mikey O’Neill and Michael Parker signed until the end of 2023/24.

There was a departure, too, with Dan Sassi moving to League One and Blackpool on a permanent basis.

Because of the winter weather fixtures were really starting to mount up. Despite this, Farrell’s team took nine points from league fixtures against Birmingham City, Sheffield Wednesday, Peterborough United and Fleetwood Town.

The Clarets also held Fulham in the Premier League Cup and beat Accrington Stanley Reserves 3-1 in the Central League Cup.

MARCH

This seven-game month started with a 1-0 Central League Cup victory over Accrington Stanley, before the Clarets lost to Hull City in the league.

They then scored four against both Coventry City and Crewe Alexandra, with the latter including a hat-trick from Vernon Masara, the season’s Academy Player of the Year.

AFC Bournemouth were beaten 3-1 at Turf Moor, before the Central League Cup group stage finished with a victory over Wrexham.

March finished with a home Professional Development League defeat to Crewe Alexandra.

APRIL

April was an even busier period for the young Clarets, with eight games played. The squad was managed accordingly, which in turn saw a slight downturn in results.

Three league games in a week against Hull City, Sheffield United and Ipswich Town returned one point.

Burnley then got back to winning ways against Charlton Athletic at Turf Moor before winning a memorable Central League Cup semi-final against Stockport County 4-3, with Benn Ward scoring the decisive goal.

The month finished with a trio of league games, with a 2-1 victory over Swansea City sandwiched between defeats to Barnsley and Bristol City.

MAY

The final month of the season started with a lengthy trip to Watford, in which Ackeme Francis-Burrell and Westley scored in a two all draw.

Then came a momentous occasion against Category One side Derby County, with the Clarets fighting back from 2-0 down to win the Central League Cup at Pride Park.

Murray Campbell kick started the comeback before Westley equalised and Ward headed in a winner in the final 10 minutes.

Farrell’s side then unfortunately lost their last two league matches to Coventry City and Barnsley, with 3-2 and 2-0 scorelines respectively.