Goals from Evans, Ryan and Westray see Town pick up win
Burnley 1 Shrewsbury Town 3
Youth Alliance
Wednesday 27th March 2013
Following a disappointing result in the semi-final of the Midland Youth Cup, it was hard for the players, especially the second year scholars, to pick themselves up and remain positive knowing they approach the end of their two year youth contract.
But the application and attitude from the group collectively was terrific as the boys produced a well disciplined performance in difficult conditions to run out 3-1 winners at Burnley yesterday.
Playing against a strong wind in the first half we reduced Burnley to very few opportunities and, although they had the majority of possession, the shape the players maintained restricted Burnley to longer range efforts not to trouble goalkeeper Connor Wearing.
Level at half time, we felt the confidence in the players was beginning to show with us going into the second half with the wind conditions in our favour and being able to press Burnley deep into their half. Ironically, though, Burnley struck first with a well worked move down our right side which produced an excellent cross to be met at the back post for a simple tap which left giving Wearing with no chance. Reaction was good as we continued to play quickly and in the right areas for us to create opportunities to pull level and the equaliser soon came.
Great pressing from Dominic Smith and George Carpenter enabled Charlie Musslewhite and Deion Evans to link well and Evans unleashed an unstoppable left foot shot into the top corner for 1-1.
With Scott Ryan moving out wide he began to find space and as Dave Easthope found him Ryan’s first touch towards goal gave him the chance to strike low into the far corner , the finish again giving the Burnley keeper no chance.
Well in control now and with little response from the home side, Musslewhite found Sam Westray with a well timed pass which Westray, having broken forward from left back, collected and fired low into the far corner of the net to complete a well earned victory.
You can’t beat a good away win and a noisy bus on the way home!
Town: Wearing, Carpenter, Smith, Holmes, Richards ( Westray 65), Jones (Stephenson 59), Roberts (Molineux 65), Evans, Musslewhite, Easthope, Ryan.
Goals: Evans, Ryan, Westray
By Peter Wilding