| After victory in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday the young Clarets travelled north to Cumbria to play Carlisle in the final league match of 2009. |
 | Joe McKee - scored the first goal |
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The Youth team were looking for an eighth straight win, the last defeat a 0-4 Gawthorpe mauling by - Carlisle.
Both sides started brightly on a difficult pitch but it was Burnley who nearly scored after 5 mins. The defence broke up a Carlisle attack and released Michael King down the left, his through ball found Liam Newman who was foiled by a last ditch tackle which sent the ball for a Burnley corner.
Our dominance continued with King again releasing Newman who crossed to Joe Jackson whose shot was blocked. Next a cross field ball from King found Curtis Woods racing forward from right back, his cross was headed just over by Jackson.
We continued to have success down our left Jake McEneaney played a ball inside to King who found Jackson, the centre forward turned his man brilliantly only to pull his shot wide.
Carlisle continued to look a dangerous outfit but excellent defensive work by Tom Anderson saw him find King, the left winger went past 3 players before finding Joe McKee in the area as he shaped to shoot the ball was whipped off his toes for a corner.
The half ended with an excellent Burnley move of about 30 passes involving virtually every player which ended with a McKee cross headed just over by Jackson. H-T 0-0.
Burnley continued to play excellent football and broke the deadlock on 53 mins. A quick free kick saw McKee play a one two with Newman, the young Scot drove his shot into the top corner.
The goal spurred Carlisle on and they had a 10 minute spell of constant pressure before Burnley nearly wrapped the game up with two excellent chances. Firstly James Taylor released McKee through the middle only for the midfielder to pull his shot wide.
Secondly, after a King shot was cleared off the line too the edge of the area Newman fired in a thunderbolt which hit the inside of the post and was cleared for a corner.
This gave Carlisle renewed hope and on 67 mins they nearly claimed an equaliser. For the first time the excellent defensive partnership of Steve Edwards and Anderson was breached by a ball over the top. With the centre forward clean through and the crowd waiting for the net to bulge Clarets keeper Danny McDonald pulled off a top quality save to keep our lead intact.
After 70 mins we claimed our second goal. Dom Knowles masterminded a move involving King, Newman and McEneaney. The fullback crossed but beyond the far post, it looked as if the chance had gone. Not for the first time right back Woods was in an advanced position. He retrieved the ball, teased the defender and sent in a quality cross to the far post for leading scorer King to head home much to the delight of the young Ulsterman.
On 76 mins Dave Lynch replaced Newman and on 78 mins Ross Wilson replaced King. We just had time for one more tremendous save from McDonald before the referee blew the final whistle.
I am sure all who watch the Youth team would like to congratulate the players and management for producing 8 straight wins after such a difficult start.
The Burnley team was: Danny McDonald, Curtis Woods, Steve Edwards, Tom Anderson, Jake McEneaney, James Taylor, Dom Knowles, Joe McKee, Liam Newman(Dave Lynch 76), Michael King(Ross Wilson 78), Joe Jackson, Subs not used Cooke. |
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