U23s REPORT: MIDDLESBROUGH 0

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U23s REPORT: MIDDLESBROUGH 0 - 3 BURNLEY

Clarets claim victory in final PL2 fixture of 2021

2021-12-19T20:41:57.126Z

U23s REPORT: MIDDLESBROUGH 0 - 3 BURNLEY

Clarets claim victory in final PL2 fixture of 2021

2021-12-19T20:41:57.126Z

Clarets claim victory in final PL2 fixture of 2021

Michael Jackson’s U23 side took all three points from their final league game in 2021 as they won 3-0 away at Middlesbrough.

A brace from Dara Costelloe and a goal from the penalty spot via Anthony Glennon saw Burnley move up to sixth in the Premier League 2, Division 2 table heading into the new year.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, the Clarets started the quicker of the two sides and thought that they had the lead in the opening five minutes.

Anthony Gomez-Mancini and Costelloe chased down Boro goalkeeper Nathan Fisher with the latter tapping into an empty net, but the goal was ruled out for an offside by the officials. Costelloe wasn’t to be denied for long though and just a few minutes later, he did put his side ahead.

After Sean Etaluku – making his debut at U23 level – hit the crossbar with a deep floated cross, the Clarets kept the ball alive and eventually, Costelloe dinked over Fisher from inside the six-yard box.

A constant threat in the early stages, the Irishman brought another good stop out of Fisher moments later before grabbing his second of the contest 17 minutes in. This time, Costelloe finished a ruthless counter-attack with a clinical strike into the back of the net having beaten his man inside the hosts’ box.

At two down, Boro – managed by Mark Tinkler following the recent departure of Graeme Lee – enjoyed a spell in the ascendancy, but when called upon Burnley ‘keeper Sam Waller was there to deny them.

Waller kept out efforts from Pharrell Willis on two separate occasions before the break to ensure his side went in two to the good.

After the restart, Waller then made a superb save to deny Middlesbrough’s Cain Sykes. The hosts floated the ball in from a corner and Sykes rose highest, meeting the ball to head powerfully at goal, but Waller adjusted his body to get down well and seemingly scoop it off his line.

Having survived that scare, Burnley then made sure at they would leave Heritage Park with the three points by netting a third goal. Gomez-Mancini was bundled over in the area and defender Glennon converted from 12 yards out.

Opportunities were given to U18s players Jacson Coppack and Will Hugill in the closing stages, and Burnley held on to secure the clean sheet as well as the victory.

Speaking post-match, boss Jackson was pleased with a positive Sunday showing from his side.

He said: “It was a really good afternoon for us, especially with what’s happened over the last few days and being depleted in numbers, it was a great performance.

“I think the team did really well and the result was well deserved. The last two games, we’ve ended up with 10 men and I think if that hadn’t happened, then we’d have gone on and won both of those matches as well.

“I’m seeing a lot of improvement, players are starting to grow and today, the performance was good. The main thing is the players’ development, but to get the win was good as well.”

Jackson also touched on the inclusion of the three U18s players within the matchday squad, re-affirming the pathway within the club’s academy system.

He said: “They’re not just here to keep me and Faz [Andy Farrell, U23s assistant] company, they’re here to play. We trust them to do so, and the idea is to get them ready to make the step up.

“It was a good performance from them, they worked really hard when they were on the pitch, and they’ve done really well in training too which is good to see. I was pleased to be able to give them some game time.”

Burnley: Waller, Vaughan, Rooney, Glennon, Armstrong, Etaluku (Hugill 86’), Helm (C), Woods, Dodgson, Gomez-Mancini (Coppack 67’), Costelloe

Sub: Thomas

Middlesbrough: Fisher, Dodds (Gitau 76’), Kokolo, Sykes, Lindo, Marshall, Stott, Malley (C), Kavanagh, Willis, Sivi (Finch 65’)

Subs: Wells, Bridge, Simpson