U21S MATCH REPORT: BIRMINGHAM CITY 2 – 2 BURNLEY

Last minute strike denies Clarets three points in Birmingham

The Clarets were denied a deserved victory in the final minute against Birmingham City in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Wast Hills Training Ground on Monday afternoon.

City took the lead in the West Midlands Training Ground clash just past the half-hour mark through Kamara before U18 defender Joe Ashton equalised 10 minutes into the second half.

Renaldo Torraj was then introduced on the hour mark after missing the last four months through injury and saw his teasing cross turned home for an own goal to give Burnley the lead before Blues substitute Pharrell Williams equalised in the last minute.

Seven U18s were named amongst the matchday squad for the Clarets with five in the starting XI.

First Half

Following a cagey opening 10 minutes on a gloomy afternoon in Birmingham, the Clarets forced their first shot on goal as Westley’s fierce effort was palmed away by the hands of Mayo.

Hugill then had an opportunity, after breaking down the right and charging into the area to see his strike win the first corner of the game

Westley had another chance before the break but his spinning effort skimmed wide across the face goal and out of play.

Despite a dominant Burnley performance and the visitors enjoying plenty of possession in the opening half-an-hour, the Blues took the lead 10 minutes before half time as Kamara rifled in from close range after an inital block by Sassi denied the forward.

Second Half

Although the Clarets were trailing at the break, Burnley came out on the front foot in the second half and pulled the scores level through U18 defender Ashton.

The youngster weaved into the area and played a neat one-two with Le Fondre before curling home the receiving pass into the bottom corner.

As the two sides reached the hour mark still level, the Clarets then made the first change of the afternoon as Torraj made his first appearance since pre-season following a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.

The away side then came close to a second shortly after Torraj’s introduction, when Tweedy just couldn’t quite connect to a ball to the far post to turn home.

Chances were limited for the hosts and with 20 minutes left on the clock Sassi made a vital block to deny Patterson an effort on target.

But just five minutes later, the visitors took the lead and completed the turnaround as Torraj worked his way to the left of the area before curling a dangerous ball into box which Blues defender Fairnie attempted to clear but could only find the back of the net.

Casper was then tested shortly after but the Clarets shot-stopped pulled off a fine stop to keep Burnley ahead.

However, with stoppage time approaching the Clarets conceded a late equaliser through Williams’ close range effort.

Burnley: Casper, Hugill, Sassi, McEvilly (Rogers 70), Ashton, West (Trialist 78) Campbell, Tweedy (Wane 78), McCoy, Le Fondre (Torraj 61), Westley

Unused substitutes: Moss

Birmingham City: Mayo, Pendleton, Boakye, Fairnie, Pergelov, Home, Hall, Ellis, Patterson, Kamara, Dixon

Substitutes: O’Sullivan, Willis, Hamilton, Williams, Tattum

Goals: Kamara 35’, Ashton 53’, Fairnie OG 75’, Williams 90’