Younger than ever youth team put up good performance

Last updated : 17 March 2003 By Peter Heywood

With decisions needing to be made about next year’s intake of scholars, the youth supremo took the opportunity to rest his usual squad and instead fielded a team made up of six schoolboys, four trialists and only one current first-year scholar, 17 year-old Ryan Townsend.

In effect then, it was virtually a Burnley under-16 side against Chester’s under-19s. To their credit, the youngsters battled hard against a much stronger and more experienced side and Pash, although disappointed no doubt to have lost, must have been pleased with the attitude and commitment the youngsters displayed.

Burnley, in 4-4-2, lined up:

Michael Hale; James Heywood, Neil Trotman, Ryan Townsend (capt.), Craig Morgan; Marc Pugh (Tom Ince 60), Ross Preston, Darryl Avery, Sean Fell; Pat McFadden, David Armstrong. Subs not used: James Salisbury, Robert Grimes, Rhys Carpenter.

Chester arrived having had their confidence boosted by a midweek 2-1 win against Carlisle, and immediately had the Clarets on the back foot. The dangerous Craig Buckley was looking particularly lively, and gave a warning of his ability in the 20th minute when 25 yards out he turned and shot in one movement, only to see his effort cannon back off an upright.

However the defence held firm with Trotman once again in commanding form, unbeatable in the air and looking more and more composed with his distribution with each game he plays. Irish trialist Craig Morgan was also impressing at left back, and had a fine game.

Sean Fell from Derby and Geordie Ross Preston were given another run out in midfield, and both continued to show promise. Preston in particular gave a display for which the adjective "tigerish" seemed to have been invented.

Up front, Centre of Excellence star Pat McFadden was given a first start at this level and acquitted himself well. With trialist David Armstrong he never allowed the Chester defence to settle, and although restricted mostly to half chances both lads can feel pleased with their contribution.

The game’s deadlock was broken in the 55th minute when for once the Clarets’ defence was caught out of position. Buckley took advantage of this to race clear and slot the ball past the helpless Michael Hale for 1-0.

Just seconds before this goal the Clarets themselves had almost taken the lead when Marc Pugh, cutting inside from the right, fired in a tremendous shot with his left. The ball hurtled towards the top corner, but a superb save from the Chester goalie denied Marc his first goal at this level.

The Clarets tried to get back on level terms, but as the game wore on the superior strength of the visitors began to tell, and it came as no surprise when they scored the decisive second seven minutes from time. A corner on the right wasn’t cleared properly, and when the ball was played back in a Chester forward was on hand to score form close range.

Although beaten, the young Clarets can feel pleased with their performance, and coach Terry Pashley will have gleaned more valuable information for the future.

There is no Merit League action next weekend, so the youth team’s next fixture is on March 29th when they travel to Notts County for what promises to be a fine game against the league leaders.

Finally, we understand that second-year scholars Sean Blakey and Stephen Richardson have been released by the club and are to return to their native North-East. Both lads have given excellent service to Burnley Football Club, and Clarets Mad would like to take this opportunity to send best wishes to Sean and Rico for every success in their future careers.

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