U23 REPORT: AYR UNITED 2-1 BURNLEY

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Harker strikes again as Clarets suffer defeat to strong United side

2021-07-17T13:47:43.612Z

U23 REPORT: AYR UNITED 2-1 BURNLEY

Harker strikes again as Clarets suffer defeat to strong United side

2021-07-17T13:47:43.612Z

Harker strikes again as Clarets suffer defeat to strong United side

Striker Rob Harker struck again for the Clarets, as Michael Jackson's side fell to a 2-1 defeat against Burnley's partnership club Ayr United, on a sunny afternoon at Somerset Park.

United, who have already kicked off their competitive fixtures with a defeat and a win in their opening two group games in the Scottish League Cup, were two goals to the good with just seven minutes played, before Harker fired home his third goal in two games for the U23s in the ninth minute.

The hosts got off to a perfect start, as Mark McKenzie played a neat one-two with Patrick Reading, who fed it back to McKenzie to turn home from close range.

And just minutes later, United had their second, after a dangerous ball into the area looked to take a deflection off defender Harry Williams and into the back of the net past Harry Allen.

U23 REPORT: AYR UNITED 2-1 BURNLEY - Image 1

But the Clarets replied instanlty and with just nine minutes played their was a third goal of the game, this time at the other end.

Joe McGlynn worked well to break into the area and beat his man, before teeing up Harker, to fire home past a stranded Charlie Albinson in the United goal.

The visitors then came close to an equaliser shortly after, as a low cross into the box was parried by Albinson into the path of McGlynn, whose effort was cleared off the line and away from danger.

However, Ayr were searching for a third and came close to getting it, as Michael Hewitt's strike from inside the area was denied well by Allen between the Burnley sticks.

U23 REPORT: AYR UNITED 2-1 BURNLEY - Image 2

Jackson then made four changes at the break, with a Ne-Jai Tucker, Finlay Armstrong, Sam Unwin and a Trialist replacing Mark Helm, Owen Dodgson, Joe McGlynn and a Trialist.

But it was United that started the second-half on the front foot, as Hewitt headed just over the bar from Joe Chalmers' cross.

Chances for both sides were very limited in a very tight contest throughout the second-half.

Substitue Unwin had a chance with the clock ticking down towards the end, but his close range hit was saved well by Albinson.

And despite the Clarets' best efforts at snatching an equaliser, the Ayr defence stood strong to keep the visitors at bay and seal the win on a sunny afternoon oin the west coast.

The U23s' pre-season trip to Scotland now comes to an end and will head back to Lancashire after the match, with all eyes on next week's upcoming friendlies.

BURNLEY: Allen, Trialist, Bedeau (Rooney 70), Williams (Gallagher-Allison 70), Dodgson (Armstrong HT), Costelloe, Helm (Trialist HT), Gomez Mancini (Trialist 70), Trialist (Tucker HT), Harker (Trialist 70), McGlynn (Uwin HT).

Subs: Trialist.