U23 REPORT: BURNLEY 1-0 ASHTON ATHLETIC

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Clarets bounce back and claim third spot in the Lockstep Trophy

2021-07-24T10:00:00.000Z

U23 REPORT: BURNLEY 1-0 ASHTON ATHLETIC

Clarets bounce back and claim third spot in the Lockstep Trophy

2021-07-24T10:00:00.000Z

Clarets bounce back and claim third spot in the Lockstep Trophy

Rob Harker scored again as the Clarets secured third place in the Lockstep Trophy, writes Sam Fielding.

Burnley were again without a handful of their more established players - who travelled with the first team to League Two outfit Oldham Athletic.

But a fourth pre-season goal from skipper Harker was enough to secure a first pre-season win for the U23s and earn them victory in the third-fourth place play-off.

After a scrappy opening 15 minutes, it was the Clarets who opened the scoring.

Harker found space inside the 18-yard box after Darra Costelloe worked the ball past the defender to find his teammate, and there was only one outcome once it left the right boot.

Michael Jackson’s side picked up the tempo after taking the lead, and with Mark Helm pulling the strings in the middle of the park he managed to pick out a trialist on the right flank whose cross just eluded Harker in frot of goal.

Defender Harry Williams then found himself inside Ashton’s penalty area and with a right-footed strike towards goal stung the palms of Martin Pearson who parried it over for a Burnley corner.

U23 REPORT: BURNLEY 1-0 ASHTON ATHLETIC - Image 1

Several changes were made at half-time with Sam Unwin, Finn Armstrong, Jake Rooney and Calen Gallagher introduced.

The substitutes made a difference when three of them linked up with Unwin finding Harker. The forward found the target with his shot, but it was a routine save for Pearson.

Harker thought he had eventually doubled his and Burnley’s tally just after the hour mark, but once again he was denied by Pearson – who kept his side in this match with some fantastic saves.

U23 REPORT: BURNLEY 1-0 ASHTON ATHLETIC - Image 2

Burnley were the side on the ascendancy and when Unwin broke the offside for the second time in the second half he looked likey to find the bottom corner.

Unfortunately, his effort was dragged past the post, giving Ashton a chance to get back into the contest.

The North-West Counties League outfit did push for an equaliser late in the game but Jackson's men stood firm to secure a welcome clean sheet and their opening warm-up win.

Burnley Football Club would like to thank everybody at Lancaster City for their hospitality over the last couple of days and wish them all the best for the 2021/22 campaign.

Burnley: Trialist, Trialist (Dodson 79’), Dodson (Armstrong 46’), Helm (Hugill 83’), Williams (Rooney 46’), Bedeau (Gallagher 46’), Costelloe (Trialist 62’), Trialist, Harker (McGlynn 79’), McGlynn (Unwin 46’), Tucker.

Subs: Allen, Ward.

Ashton Athletic: Pearson, Akande, Midgley, Cartwright, White, Middlemore, Nicholson, Whyte, Limpitsai, Korie-Butler, Kibombo.

Subs: O’Hara, Douglas, Thomas, Perry, Idris

Referee: Mr. D. Gillon