BURNLEY’S development squad secured two East Lancashire derbies against Blackburn Rovers with a 2-0 win over Watford at Turf Moor.
Michael Jolley fielded a strong Under-23s line-up, with Nick Pope, Jon Flanagan, Kevin Long, Aiden O’Neill and Patrick Bamford all starting.
While the Premier League Cup qualifying fixture proved bittersweet for Long, who was sent-off before the half hour, it was a more enjoyable occasion for Bamford, who scored his first goal in Burnley colours.
Burnley were almost authors of their own downfall in the second minute as Jimmy Dunne’s lashed clearance inside the area hit Flanagan but fortunately rebounded straight to Pope, who was called into action a minute later to save Michael Folivi’s shot from distance.
The Clarets took the lead on four minutes. Aiden O’Neill’s forward surge was ended by Brandon Mason on the edge of the box. Bamford’s free-kick looped off the wall and fell for an unmarked Dunne who headed home from six yards, although Watford goalkeeper Charlie Bannister should probably have done better.
O’Neill was oozing confidence after his spell with the first team and on seven minutes he curled a 25-yard shot narrowly wide.
Watford put together a superb passing move midway through the half to open up the Burnley defence, with Rhyle Ovenden eventually receiving the ball out wide and his cutback was perfect for Folivi, who blazed his shot from 10 yards out over the crossbar.
The Hornets were given a numerical advantage just before the half hour as Long received his marching orders for pulling back Ogo Obi as he broke through on the edge of the area. From the resulting free-kick Pope dived low to his right to palm Obi’s shot away.
Obi went close again just before the break but having done all the hard work with a solo run into the box he stumbled as he went to shoot and failed to get enough power on the ball.
The visitors stated the second half on the front foot and it took an excellent goal line block from Arlen Birch to deny Ola Adeyemo from finding the back of the net.
At the other end O’Neill saw a shot blocked before an excellent run from the 18-year-old midfielder was ended when he stumbled 20 yards from goal, with his appeals for a free-kick going unrewarded.
Burnley were doing their best to find a second despite being a man down and substitute Freddie Yao’s swerving 30-yard piledriver was well saved by Bannister, who was up quickly to stop Bamford’s follow-up effort with his legs.
And that crucial second goal arrived 15 minutes from time. Brad Jackson led the counterattack with a charging down the right and as he crossed Bamford was pulled back by Max Ryan. Referee Andrew Smith pointed to the spot and Bamford made no mistake as he stuck his spot-kick in the top corner.
The victory secured Jolley’s side qualification for the Premier League Cup group stages and they will now face Rovers, Sunderland and Cardiff in home and away fixtures.
Burnley: Nick Pope, Jon Flanagan, Kevin Long, Jimmy Dunne, Arlen Birch, Brad Jackson (Robbie Leitch 86), Mark Howarth (Freddie Yao 54), Aiden O’Neill, Ali Koiki, Tinashe Chakwana (Dwight McNeil 81), Patrick Bamford
Subs not used: Conor Mitchell, RJ Pingling
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