BURNLEY RES 3

LIVERPOOL 1

FREDERIC Nimani was at the double to help Burnley Reserves move off the foot of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North tonight.

The Clarets' second string earned their first win in eight games against high flying Liverpool at Turf Moor, after two goals from corners inside the opening eight minutes got them on the front foot.

Alex MacDonald broke the deadlock on six minutes when he glanced in Irish debutant Neil Yadolahi's firm goalbound header.

Nimani doubled the lead two minutes later by sweeping home Adam Kay's corner at the far right post.

The on-loan striker almost made it 3-0 soon afterwards, but on cutting in from the left was denied by goalkeeper Martin Hansen's outstretched leg.

The Liverpool stopper then twice kept out Ben Hoskin before Liverpool pulled a goal back on 20 minutes.

Danish striker Nikola Saric, who had earlier outpaced Jack McEneany down the right but fired a golden chance high and wide, turned in David Amoo's delivery.

But Burnley continued to dominate, despite the setback, and Nimani scored his second of the night, and third in two games, when he burst onto a defensive error and finished well.

Goalscorer MacDonald was forced off through illness at the break, and his replacement, Michael King, should have added a fourth goal with his first touch but opted to cross instead of shoot and the chance went begging.

Liverpool carved out a host of chances as they tried to get back into the game as it wore on, but Burnley remained resolute to preserve a two-goal cushion and secure a deserved win.

Burnley: Daniel MacDonald, Benjamin Hoskin, Jake McEneaney, Christopher Anderson, Kevin Long, Neil Yadolahi, Adam Kay (Joe McKee 87), Alex-Ray Harvey, Frederic Nimani, Wes Fletcher (Dominic Knowles 80), Alex MacDonald (Michael King 46).

Subs: Diego Penny, Curtis Woods Liverpool: Martin Hansen, Steven Irwin, Alex Cooper, Victor Palsson, Chris Mavinga, Francisco Duran (Nicolaj Kohlert 57), David Amoo, Nikola Saric (Jordy Brouwer 72), Damien Plessis, Gerardo Bruna, Alex Kacaniklic (Lauri Dalla Valle 66) Subs: Jakub Sokolik, Deale Chamberlain