U23s v Ayr

[ClaretTony]

Two down after 7 mins but Rob Harker pulled one back on 9 mins.

Half way through first half now, score still 2-1 to Ayr.

[bodge]

I wonder if the team are staying at an Ayr B & B ?

[Guller Bull]

I wonder if the team are staying at an Ayr B & B ?

That’s pish wee man!

[ClaretTony]

I wonder if the team are staying at an Ayr B & B ?

We’ve stepped it up now. The get to stay in a proper hotel. According to the official site in one report they were all in the same room.

It’s still 2-1 at half time.

[NewClaret]

Anyone know how Helm got on?

[nig1954]

He came on as one of several subs in the 72nd minute

[ClaretTony]

He came on as one of several subs in the 72nd minute

He also started and played the entire first half

https://www.uptheclarets.com/early-goal ... eat-at-ayr

[Leisure]

U23 REPORT: Ayr United 2 Burnley 1

Striker Rob Harker struck again for the Clarets, as Michael Jackson's side fell to a 2-1 defeat against Burnley's partnership club Ayr United, on a sunny afternoon at Somerset Park.

United, who have already kicked off their competitive fixtures with a defeat and a win in their opening two group games in the Scottish League Cup, were two goals to the good with just seven minutes played, before Harker fired home his third goal in two games for the U23s in the ninth minute.

The hosts got off to a perfect start, as Mark McKenzie played a neat one-two with Patrick Reading, who fed it back to McKenzie to turn home from close range.

And just minutes later, United had their second, after a dangerous ball into the area looked to take a deflection off defender Harry Williams and into the back of the net past Harry Allen.

But the Clarets replied instantly and with just nine minutes played their was a third goal of the game, this time at the other end.

Joe McGlynn worked well to break into the area and beat his man, before teeing up Harker, to fire home past a stranded Charlie Albinson in the United goal.

We then came close to an equaliser shortly after, as a low cross into the box was parried by Albinson into the path of McGlynn, whose effort was cleared off the line and away from danger.

However, Ayr were searching for a third and came close to getting it, as Michael Hewitt's strike from inside the area was denied well by Allen between the Burnley sticks.

Jackson then made four changes at the break, with a Ne-Jai Tucker, Finlay Armstrong, Sam Unwin and a Trialist replacing Mark Helm, Owen Dodgson, Joe McGlynn and a Trialist.

But it was United that started the second-half on the front foot, as Hewitt headed just over the bar from Joe Chalmers' cross.

Chances for both sides were very limited in a very tight contest throughout the second-half.

Substitue Unwin had a chance with the clock ticking down towards the end, but his close range hit was saved well by Albinson.

And despite the Clarets' best efforts at snatching an equaliser, the Ayr defence stood strong to keep the visitors at bay and seal the win on a sunny afternoon oin the west coast.

The U23s' pre-season trip to Scotland now comes to an end and will head back to Lancashire after the match, with all eyes on next week's upcoming friendlies.

BURNLEY: Allen, Trialist, Bedeau (Rooney 70), Williams (Gallagher-Allison 70), Dodgson (Armstrong HT), Costelloe, Helm (Trialist HT), Gomez Mancini (Trialist 70), Trialist (Tucker HT), Harker (Trialist 70), McGlynn (Uwin HT).

Subs: Trialist.

[ClaretTony]

A few words on the game

https://www.uptheclarets.com/early-goal ... eat-at-ayr

[Silkyskills1]

3 goals in two losing games for Harker. Impressive. How old is this lad?

[ClaretTony]

3 goals in two losing games for Harker. Impressive. How old is this lad?

21
https://www.uptheclarets.com/players/squad-list

[boatshed bill]

From what I've seen Harker leads the line really well,

[BenWickes]

I do hope fans aren't reading anything into the results.

[Hedontplayforyou]

They played against the Ayr first team today didn’t they?

[FCBurnley]

Surely Ayr United shouldn’t be able to give us any sort of test. I know it’s a pre season friendly that counts for nothing but !!!!

[boatshed bill]

Surely Ayr United shouldn’t be able to give us any sort of test. I know it’s a pre season friendly that counts for nothing but !!!!

Ayr are several games into their season.
Some of our lads have only just met each other.
And some of our senior U23s are with the first team.

[ClaretTony]

Surely Ayr United shouldn’t be able to give us any sort of test. I know it’s a pre season friendly that counts for nothing but !!!!

Why shouldn't they? I think that's exactly what they could give us. This was their first team with experienced players up against the younger end of our under-23s plus some trialists. I'd say it would be a good test for them.

[tiger76]

Harker looks a bright prospect, but whether he can transfer these goals to a higher level I guess only time will tell, but the lad clearly knows where the net is, and that's a good habit at any level.

I wouldn't pau much heed to the results, both Rangers at academy level, and Ayr with their 1st XI were always going to be stiff tests, especially for a group that is still finding it's feet.

Good experience gained by the group and Michael Jackson, which will hopefully stand them in good stead for the season ahead.

[daveisaclaret]

Starting to worry that Michael Jackson's bad

[NewClaret]

Starting to worry that Michael Jackson's bad

You are not alone.

[tiger76]

Starting to worry that Michael Jackson's bad

Indeed if we carry on like this he'll soon be told to beat it.

[boatshed bill]

The highlights{?} are on youtube, put on by a young Ayr supporter.
Not very well filmed.

[Quickenthetempo]

Glad to see they are competing with 1st teams. Do them the world of good

[Oshkoshclaret]

It was a Thriller

[Claret_tinted]

Harker looks a bright prospect, but whether he can transfer these goals to a higher level I guess only time will tell, but the lad clearly knows where the net is, and that's a good habit at any level.

I wouldn't pau much heed to the results, both Rangers at academy level, and Ayr with their 1st XI were always going to be stiff tests, especially for a group that is still finding it's feet.

Good experience gained by the group and Michael Jackson, which will hopefully stand them in good stead for the season ahead.

We’ve had a load of amazing U18 and U23’s in recent years that could score for fun at that level, but never had a hope of making it in adult football. The step is huge.

Fingers crossed for all the academy lads that they get a career in football.

[Guller Bull]

I heard ir was pretty hot up there yesterday butI hope we don’t blame it on the sunshine.

[BenWickes]

I heard ir was pretty hot up there yesterday butI hope we don’t blame it on the sunshine.

Hope our trialist keeper isn't called 'Boogie'.

[tiger76]

We’ve had a load of amazing U18 and U23’s in recent years that could score for fun at that level, but never had a hope of making it in adult football. The step is huge.

Fingers crossed for all the academy lads that they get a career in football.

Yes the lad Michael Fowler immediately springs to mind, netted for fun at youth team level, went to Fleetwood a couple of years ago, and now finds himself without a club after spending time on loan at various non-league clubs, it's not easy for youngsters to make the jump from development football to the pro game, and this is probably sadly why so many fall by the wayside for a variety of reasons.

[elwaclaret]

Hope our trialist keeper isn't called 'Boogie'.

Luckily he is called Woogi, he’s in the clear.

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Apparently the stand in boss was disappointed that trialist Peter Something was injured and on the bench.

Because he wanna be startin something

(I tried)

[kentonclaret]

We’ve had a load of amazing U18 and U23’s in recent years that could score for fun at that level, but never had a hope of making it in adult football. The step is huge.

Fingers crossed for all the academy lads that they get a career in football.

Daniel Agyei scored for fun at a lower level for Wimbledon netting 35 goals in one season attracting a host of clubs for his signature.

Didn't quite make it at Burnley and now at Oxford United.

[Rileybobs]

I’ve just noticed that our U23 boss is called Michael Jackson, who hilariously has the same name as the famous pop star Michael Jackson.

[elwaclaret]

I’ve just noticed that our U23 boss is called Michael Jackson, who hilariously has the same name as the famous pop star Michael Jackson.

Oh when they said new U23 boss moonwalks in I thought they meant Cab Calloway.

[giveusaB]

Some footage and report from a young Ayr Utd supporter.

https://youtu.be/4fG0sfNTarU