U23s REPORT: BURNLEY 1-2 FULHAM

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Clarets’ seven-game unbeaten run in league ends as leaders Fulham take three points in Leyland

2021-11-08T21:33:43.129Z

U23s REPORT: BURNLEY 1-2 FULHAM

Clarets’ seven-game unbeaten run in league ends as leaders Fulham take three points in Leyland

2021-11-08T21:33:43.129Z

Clarets’ seven-game unbeaten run in league ends as leaders Fulham take three points in Leyland

Dale Stephens made his return to action and played 45 minutes for the Clarets’ U23 side as they lost out 2-1 at home to runaway league leaders Fulham in Premier League 2, Division 2.

The Cottagers ended Burnley’s seven-game unbeaten run in the league, with Michael Mellon scoring the goal for Michael Jackson’s side with a second half header.

Midfielder Stephens – making his first appearance since featuring away at Tottenham Hotspur in February – had the first real effort of the night as the clock hit the 20-minute mark.

His curling free-kick almost opened the scoring for the Clarets, though the effort went just wide of the Fulham goal.

Forward Mellon did bring a save out of the Londoners’ goalkeeper – Fabricio Ramirez – after teammate Jacob Bedeau made a block in the Burnley box to deny the visitors at the other end.

And once Clarets shot stopper Sam Waller had denied Fulham’s Sonny Hilton from close range, the first half came to an end with the contest goalless.

U23s REPORT: BURNLEY 1-2 FULHAM - Image 1

In a pre-planned substitution, Stephens was replaced by Ben Woods at the break having got vital minutes into the tank in his return from injury.

Steve Wigley’s Fulham outfit came into the match at Leyland having won their previous six league outings and have only lost once so far this term.

After the restart, the Cottagers showed the clinical edge which has got them into their table-topping position by taking the lead just three minutes into the second half through Matt Dibley-Dias’ looping header.

Dibley-Dias almost added a second soon after, though Bobby Thomas’ block prevented that from happening as the Fulham man’s effort went over the crossbar.

Joe McGlynn latched on to Owen Dodgson’s low cross but couldn’t get the ball out of his feet to get an effort away for Burnley, but Jackson’s side weren’t giving up the fight and got a leveller on the 65th minute mark through Mellon.

U23s PREVIEW: BURNLEY V EVERTON - Image 1

Dodgson did provide the assist – this time from a corner – as Mellon rose highest at the front post to convert his corner with a glancing header. At 17, son of former Clarets’ player Micky, Michael has now scored 15 goals across all age groups this season so far.

The even keel wasn’t to last long though, as the Cottagers retook the lead five minutes later through Luciano D’Auria-Henry firing in when given space in the area.

And straight from the restart, Fulham were presented with the opportunity to double their advantage from the penalty spot. Burnley goalkeeper Waller made a big save to deny Cottagers’ captain Connor McAvoy from 12 yards out though.

Despite boss Jackson making changes, and persistent pushing for an equaliser by the Clarets, one didn’t come, and Fulham took the three points.

The Clarets remain fifth in the league table as things stand, with Barrow AFC to come in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup on Tuesday, November 16 at Gawthorpe.

Burnley: Waller, Armstrong, Thomas (C), Bedeau, Glennon, Tucker (Thompson 73’), Helm, Stephens (Woods HT), Dodgson, Mellon, McGlynn (Costelloe 82’)

Subs: Allen, Rooney