U21S MATCH REPORT: BARNSLEY 2-0 BURNLEY

Young Clarets beaten in season finale

Burnley U21s ended their 2023/24 season with a 2-0 Professional Development League defeat on the road at Barnsley on Tuesday afternoon.

Two set-pieces proved to be the difference at Oakwell, with the Tykes netting from a free-kick and a penalty in a six-minute spell.

There were changes from Friday’s late defeat to Coventry City, with Charlie Casper returning in goal.

Joe Ashton came in at left-back and Will Hugill dropped to centre-back with Han-Noah Massengo featuring in midfield.

Elsewhere, Joe Bevan and Renaldo Torraj provided the attacking width behind striker Joe Westley.

Westley was inches away from breaking the deadlock after just two minutes and Lewis Richardson had the only other chance of note in a quiet opening 20 minutes.

Burnley played patient football, passing out from the back and probing for openings, but Fabio Jalo put Barnsley ahead with a powerful free-kick in the 40th minute.

Richardson almost provided an immediate response but was denied by Barnsley ‘keeper Kieran Flavell and the Clarets were one down at the break.

It was 2-0 within a minute of the restart, with Theo Chapman converting from the penalty spot after being fouled in the area.

First-year scholar Oli Pimlott was introduced at left back on the hour, with Ashton shifting inside to centre-back and Hugill pushing forwards to his natural central midfield position.

U18s players Ryan Tioffo and Zach Johnson followed soon after, as did Basilio Socoliche, with manager Andy Farrell utilising his bench in search for a route back into the game.

The best opportunity fell to Joe Bevan, but the Scot was denied by a strong save one-on-one.

Burnley finish the season 6th in the 11-team table with 42 points from 30 matches, including 12 wins.

Burnley: Casper, Healy Byrne (Tioffo 68), Ashton, Hugill, Campbell, Massengo (Pimlott 60), Bevan, Tweedy (Johnson 76), Westley, Richardson, Torraj (Socoliche 76)

Unused Subs: Moss

Barnsley: Flavell, Trialist A, Pickard, James, Hickingbottom, Makiessi, Atkinson, Nejman, Dyer, Chapman, Jalo

Subs: Benjamin, McKay, Trialist B, Trialist C, Ravenhill

Goals: Jalo 40’, Chapman 46’