Burnley’s Under-21s edged past West Brom to reach the final of the Premier League Cup.
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Goals from Ellis Clark and Vernon Masara helped the young Clarets claim a 2-1 victory at Turf Moor on Monday night.
The victory rubber stamps the young Clarets’ place in the final of this season’s Premier League Cup, which will be contested with either Sunderland or Blackburn Rovers.
There were two changes to the team that started the Premier League 2 trip to Ipswich Town, with Cameron Scott replacing Logan Pye in defence.
Kian McMahon-Brown returned from his time away with Republic of Ireland U19s to lead the line, and he was flanked by Zach Johnson and Masara.
Clarets ‘keeper Oisin Cooney made several smart saves during the opening 45, the first of which saw him get down sharply to his left to deny Souleyman Mandey.
It was end-to-end action and Masara will perhaps have been disappointed not to have broken the deadlock in the 11th minute, when he could only fire wide from a one-on-one position.
Ellis Clark wheels away after breaking the deadlock at Turf Moor. Picture: Kevin Hayden Photographyplaceholder image
Ellis Clark wheels away after breaking the deadlock at Turf Moor. Picture: Kevin Hayden Photography
After George Brierley stung Ben Cisse’s palms, Scott did well to deal with the visitors’ powerful front line on several occasions.
The Baggies finished the half the stronger of the two teams, but neither Mandey nor Charlie Blackshields could beat Cooney in the Clarets goal.
Scott was replaced by Pye at the break in a move that saw Murray Campbell move to right-back, and Andy Farrell’s side opened the scoring in the 53rd minute.
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After McMahon-Brown’s cross was half-cleared, Ellis Clark controlled the ball on the edge of the box and fired a powerful volley into the top left corner.
With a lead to defend the young Clarets had a real tenacity to their game, shown by two outstanding blocks from Pimlott and a crunching tackle from Clark.
An action-packed four-minute spell then had a major effect on the outcome of this match. After Mandey and Mustapha both missed guilt-edge chances, Charlie Veevers replaced Johnson for Burnley.
It was then 2-0 through Masara, who used his pace to latch onto McMahon-Brown’s pinpoint through ball and poke home.
The visitors reduced their arrears through Alfie Maughan, forcing Farrell to replace Pouani with Jack McEvilly and change to a five-at-the-back formation.
West Brom continued to create chances, though, and after Pimlott produced a fantastic goal-line clearance, Cooney put his body on the line for another top stop.
Destiny Okonkwo took Roman Egan-Riley’s place as the clock hit 90 and Farrell’s side saw through the four added minutes well to confirm an important victory.
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