U23 REPORT: BURNLEY 0-1 LIVERPOOL

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Clarets lose out to Liverpool in Lancashire Senior Cup final

2022-05-04T20:52:12.948Z

U23 REPORT: BURNLEY 0-1 LIVERPOOL

Clarets lose out to Liverpool in Lancashire Senior Cup final

2022-05-04T20:52:12.948Z

Clarets lose out to Liverpool in Lancashire Senior Cup final

Burnley’s U23 side missed out narrowly on silverware, losing 1-0 to Liverpool in the final of the Lancashire Senior Cup on Wednesday evening (May 4).

Clarets goalkeeper Sam Waller had saved a penalty early on in the second half, but James Norris struck just before the hour-mark with what proved the only goal of the contest at the Lancashire FA’s County Ground in Leyland.

In charge of the side, U23s assistant Andy Farrell made two changes to the side that narrowly missed out on a play-off place by goal difference following last Friday’s 5-3 defeat away at Premier League 2, Division 2 champions Fulham.

Waller returned to the squad and started in goal while Lukas Jensen dropped out. Meanwhile, Jake Rooney came in at centre back to replace Richard Nartey, who suffered an injury against the Cottagers last time out.

On the bench, U18s striker Joe Westley took his place after netting yesterday afternoon for the youth team in their narrow 3-2 defeat at home to Manchester City. Kade Ratchford played the full 90 minutes in that game so missed out in the U23s regional final.

Barry Lewtas’ Liverpool side included Rhys Williams and Tyler Morton, both of which have featured frequently for the first team at Anfield already. Having played a big part in the Reds’ Champions League qualification last term, the former also featured on loan for Championship outfit Swansea City in the first half of this season.

First Half

After an evenly-matched opening to the contest, Waller had to react twice in 60 seconds to deny Liverpool’s Jack Bearne. The ‘keeper first held onto a header from the attacker before scrambling to gather an effort from range.

Joe McGlynn – who bagged a brace against Fulham – had Burnley’s first chance of the night at the County Ground on 13 minutes, latching onto Max Thompson’s through ball and poking at goal only to be denied by the legs of Marcelo Pitaluga.

Clarets captain Mark Helm also fired wide before Reds shot stopper Pitaluga again prevented the Clarets from taking a lead as Thompson’s powerful effort was kicked clear of danger. That strike came following some good interplay between McGlynn and Anthony Gomez Mancini.

At the other end, defender Rooney put his body in the way of a Fidel O’Rourke shot from inside the six-yard box with Morton also sending one just wide from the edge of the box.

Lewtas’ Reds also went close not long before the half-time whistle with James Norris guiding an effort over having worked his way into the area, though it was goalless at the interval.

U23 REPORT: BURNLEY 0-1 LIVERPOOL - Image 1

Second Half

Starting quick at the restart, Liverpool earned a penalty on 50 minutes with Waller coming out on top and saving Leighton Clarkson’s strike from 12 yards out with a smart stop.

McGlynn then came close oncemore for the Clarets, breaking through and seeing a shot go the wrong side of the post, though the Reds netted the vital goal through Norris on 59 minutes.

A free-kick into the area was cleared but only into the path of the Liverpool man who put the ball back into the top corner of the net, nothing Waller could do to keep it out.

Ne-Jai Tucker then hit wide on the half volley from Gomez Mancini’s cross, while O’Rourke missed from yards out after Bearne had nodded down to him.

The Reds came close to doubling their advantage through Norris on 82 minutes, but some resolute defending prevented that from happening.

Pitaluga was also called into action late on, holding onto a whipped free-kick but it ended with Merseysiders Liverpool the competition winners.

Burnley: Waller, Armstrong, Rooney, Sassi, Dodgson, Tucker, Woods, Helm © (Trialist ’75), Gomez Mancini, Thompson, McGlynn

Unused Subs: Thomas, Ward, Hugill, Westley

Liverpool: Pitaluga, Bradley, Williams, Quansah, Beck, Clarkson, Morton, Clayton ©, Bearne, O’Rourke (Balagizi ’70), Norris

Unused Subs: Corness, Kelly, Cannonier, Wilson

Goals: Norris, ‘59