U21S MATCH REPORT: FLEETWOOD TOWN 0-1 BURNLEY

Resilient Clarets earn third straight win

Burnley U21s earned three more Professional Development League points on Tuesday afternoon, with an own goal enough to beat Fleetwood Town at their Poolfoot Farm Training Complex.

The Clarets produced a resilient performance in tricky conditions, eventually breaking the deadlock with 11 minutes to play and holding on well against some more experienced players.

Andy Farrell made four changes to the 11 that started last week’s 3-1 Central League Cup victory over Accrington Stanley, with Sam Waller keeping goal.

Murray Campbell came into the defence, with Tom Tweedy and Vernon Masara starting in attacking positions after substitute appearances last time out.

The match started in cagey fashion on a wet and windy day in Thornton, with the first chance falling to Fleetwood. However, Sam Glenfield could only fire wide from 20 yards.

Burnley continued to look for attacking openings, with captain Will Hugill pivotal to the transition in central midfield.

However, the only other first-half chance of note saw Waller produce a splits-type save with his legs on the half hour.

The hosts came out after the break with attacking intent. Xavier Simons’ bouncing shot first forced Waller into a save low to his left before Harry Wright-Ocana glanced a header narrowly wide.

Farrell’s first substitutions saw Renaldo Torraj and Basilio Rieno Socoliche introduced, and Burnley soon created chances of note for Joe Bevan.

The forward first had a tame header saved before later finding himself one-on-one but miscuing under pressure.

The only goal eventually came 11 minutes from time when Torraj swung a wide free kick from the left into the box and Fleetwood’s Harry Wilson could only divert the ball into his own goal.

Fleetwood pushed for an equaliser but the Clarets defence held firm to earn a third straight win in all competitions.

Burnley U21s stay 6th in the PDL North table but now have 25 points, just five less than 4th-placed Fleetwood who have four games in hand.

Next up is the visit of Coventry City to the County Ground, Leyland, on Friday 1st March. Kick-off is 1pm.

Burnley: Waller, Healy-Byrne, Grant, Ward, Hugill, Bevan, McDermott, O’Neill (Francis-Burrell 73’), Tweedy (Torraj 64’), Masara (Socoliche 64’), Campbell

Unused Subs: Moss, Turner

Fleetwood Town: Harrington, Wright-Ocana, White, Johnson, Potter, Simons, Glenfield, Fishburn, Brown, Quitirna, Hoyle

Subs: Boyes, Butterworth, Wilson, Williams, Richmond

Goals: Wilson own goal 79’

Pictures: Adam Gee Photography