U23s REPORT: BURNLEY 2-3 SUNDERLAND

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Sunderland comeback makes it a disappointing night for young Clarets

2021-08-23T20:48:37.703Z

U23s REPORT: BURNLEY 2-3 SUNDERLAND

Sunderland comeback makes it a disappointing night for young Clarets

2021-08-23T20:48:37.703Z

Sunderland comeback makes it a disappointing night for young Clarets

The Clarets let slip a two-goal as they were left waiting for their first point of the season in PL2.

Michael Jackson's side turned in an impressive first-half performance in front of the returning supporters at Leyland.

A Richard Nartey goal and Max Thompson penalty gave Burnley a 2-0 lead at the break.

But Sunderland hit back to secure their first win of the campaign with former Claret Vinnie Steels scoring twice and skipper Sam Wilding heading the Black Cats' late winner as the Clarets missed chances of their own to kill of the visitors.

Defender Richard Nartey returned to Michael Jackson’s young side partnering Jake Rooney in central defence. Ethen Vaughan and Owen Dodgson played at full back.

Seventeen-year-old Will Hugill started again in the middle of the park alongside former Manchester United midfielder Mark Helm.

Former Galway United winger Dara Costelloe and Max Thompson provided width with Sam Unwin up front alongside Rob Harker.

There were two familiar faces in the visiting ranks. Former Burnley striker Will Harris played up front, with winger Steels also named in Elliott Dickman’s side.

Harker had to go off after just 20 minutes with a knee injury. Ne-Jai Tucker replaced him with last season’s top scorer Thompson going up front.

Jackson’s side took the lead after 27 minutes. Owen Dodgson, fresh from his first involvement with the first team at Anfield on Saturday, swung in a free-kick from the right-hand side. Thompson stabbed it back into the six-yard box for stand-in skipper Nartey to touch home.

Thompson extended Burnley’s advantage from the penalty spot in the third minute of injury-time after he was felled by Sunderland’s trialist goalkeeper in the area. Thompson confidently stroked home the penalty sending the keeper the wrong way.

Three minutes into the second half the Black Cats were back in the game. Ex-Claret Steels volleyed home from close range.

In a lively start to the second half, Burnley then forced a corner and Rooney saw his header come back off the crossbar.

Steels then got his second after 66 minutes when he latched on to a pass from Swedish youth international Benji Kimpioka and fired past the advancing Waller to level the scores.

In a game of two halves, Sunderland’s comeback was complete six minutes from time when Sam Wilding headed home a precise Harrison Sohna corner.

U23s REPORT: BURNLEY 2-3 SUNDERLAND - Image 2

Substitute Armstrong was close to getting an equaliser in the 90th minute. His excellent left-footed shot clipped the outside of the post with the keeper beaten.

Ultimately, it was a night of disappointment for a young Burnley side. After an excellent first half, a Steels inspired Sunderland dominated after the break and collected the points in a five-goal thriller.