WESTLEY ‘I FEEL THE BEST I’VE EVER FELT’

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Striker reflects on goal-filled four days

2025-07-29T21:30:00.000Z

WESTLEY ‘I FEEL THE BEST I’VE EVER FELT’

Striker reflects on goal-filled four days

2025-07-29T21:30:00.000Z

Striker reflects on goal-filled four days

The last few days have given striker Joe Westley the opportunity to continue doing what he has been accustomed to in recent years – scoring goals.

Westley netted his first senior Clarets goal in a pre-season friendly against Huddersfield Town on Saturday, before netting twice in Tuesday night's U21s clash at Warrington Rylands.

Reflecting on his brace against the Northern Premier League side, he said: “I think it’s always good for the lads to get out there and experience football against men’s teams.

“It gives us a better experience of what it’s like to play against men, rather than people like us every day.

“Two goals to go with it as well – I feel good.

“It’s been a tough pre-season, that’s for sure! Our Sports Scientist Adam Bulman, the coaches and the staff have worked us really hard, and I think we’re in a good place fitness wise.

“Personally, I feel the best I’ve ever felt. I feel sharp, I feel quick and have managed six goals in four pre-season games so far, and that’s always a positive.”

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The 20-year-old is no stranger to senior football and, following previous loans at AFC Fylde and Rochdale, made his football league bow at Swindon Town in the second half of last season.

That experience stood him in good stead for Saturday’s trip to Yorkshire with Scott Parker’s side, and Westley replaced Lyle Foster as a 70th-minute substitute.

It took him just 15 minutes to make it onto the scoresheet, finishing off a well-worked move that heavily featured fellow Academy prospects George Brierley and Tom Tweedy.

“It’s always a good experience to go up,” Westley continued.

“I felt comfortable in the environment, and we played a good League One team in Huddersfield who are fancied to go up.

“I think all of us put on a really good performance and personally, to get a goal in front of an away end full of Burnley fans for the first time was a good feeling.

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“There’s a lot more detail and preparation that goes into a first team game.

“You’ve got senior players in there like Kyle Walker, who’s a treble winner. To see how he goes about his business and the way he talks, the way he leads and the way he wants to win – I think there’s a lot of things that all of us can take from that.

“I’ve never played with George (Brierley) before, but I think he showed his quality, and it was good to play with him.

“I think Tweeds has set me up for about 50% of my goals recently, so it’s always good to play with him!

“He always seems to pick me out and that’s what I like to do – get in the box and find goals, which is what I’ve done for a few years now.

“As I said, I feel the best I’ve ever felt so in the remaining pre-season games my aim is to keep scoring goals and playing well, and I’ll be ready for the real stuff to start.”