FA Youth Cup 4th Round
Team: Clark, Redknapp, Leahy, Tuck, Edmondson, Manufor, Sutton, Young, Hassan, Yahyaoui, Coomes
Subs: Loades, Putman, Kennedy, Lawrence, Hamid, Bouhiaoui, Radojevic
Attendance: 916
Problems with the Burnley team coach meant that the match kicked-off thirty minutes late.
Rangers had an opportunity to open the scoring early on when Jake Coomes’ cross from the left-flank was spilled by Lewis Forshaw. Unfortunately, Ridwan Hassan wasn’t close enough to follow-up.
The Clarets were awarded a free kick from just outside the box. The resulting strike hit the wall and the ball was then cleared.
Later, Conor Clark made a very good save at the near-post after the Burnley player had got himself to the bye-line. And from the corner, the ball floated over for a goal-kick.
A very well organised Burnley back-four often pushed up to the half-way line as the Rangers players began to play the ball out from defence.
Mr Norton booked Logan Carlin following a foul on Emmerson Sutton.
Jake Leahy let fly from 20-odd yards, but Lewis Forshaw was able to hold on to the ball.
A minute later, Conor Clark made an excellent save at the near post.
Next to go in Mr Norton’s book was Jack Rogers after pulling at a Rangers player’s shirt, 30 yards or so from goal.
Burnley broke the deadlock two minutes into stoppage time after Rangers had lost possession. Lucas Wane then set-up Rohan Vaughan, who proceeded to fire the ball past Conor Clark. Half-time: 0-1.
Micah Hyde made two changes for the second-half, which saw the introduction of Jaiden Putman and 15-year-old Rico Kennedy, at the expense of Harry Redknapp and Jake Coomes respectively.
The visitors doubled their lead within a couple of minutes of the re-start. Zach Johnson’s corner found Murray Campbell, who then hammered the ball into the bottom corner.
I think it was Callum West who was shown a yellow card following a naughty challenge on Tyler Young.
Rangers began to grow into the game and on 51 minutes after an excellent run from midfield, Youssef Yahyaoui’s pulled the trigger and Lewis Forshaw made an outstanding save.
And two minutes later, Rico Kennedy’s effort hit the upright. Then, Ridwan Hassan struck the ball, first time past the post, following a cross from the right.
On the hour mark, Rohan Vaughan burst forward and then watched his effort hit the outside of the upright before going behind.
A minute or so later, a great run by Rico Kennedy saw him go past a number of Burnley defenders, before shooting just wide of the target.
Earlier in the half, Ramy Bouhiaoui replaced Tyler Young.
There was a big moment for the R’s to pull a goal back when Ramy Bouhiaoui got clear on goal, but the Rangers substitute put the ball over.
Five added minutes were signalled, and during this period, Ramy Bouhiaoui’s free kick closely evaded the crossbar.
Rangers had certainly been much the better side since Burnley’s second goal, but it wasn’t to be, and so it was the Clarets who will be taking on either Bristol City or Charlton Athletic in the next round.
Steve Russell
