Ne-Jai Tucker Scores In Burnley U23 Win
Bermuda’s Ne-Jai Tucker scored for the Burnley Football Club U23 team as they played to a 2-0 victory over Southampton.
The club’s match report said, “Michael Jackson’s U23 side claimed their first victory of the Premier League 2 campaign with a 2-0 win away at Southampton.
“Sam Unwin came off the bench to put the Clarets in front with a header in first half stoppage time, while Ne-Jai Tucker curled in a sublime free-kick with 15 minutes remaining to put the seal on a ‘Super Sunday’ at St Mary’s.
“After a tight encounter in the opening stages, Burnley were presented with their first real opportunity of the game 20 minutes in with forward Joe McGlynn being slotted through on goal by Lewis Richardson.
“A last-ditch block prevented McGlynn’s strike, but he would have an impact soon after as he latched onto a misplaced pass from Saints’ goalkeeper Harry Lewis. Through on goal, the striker was then pulled down by the ‘keeper who saw red from referee Matthew Russell.
“Burnley’s Richardson was forced off shortly before half time, Sam Unwin replacing him. With the hosts down to ten men, the Clarets pushed for the opener, and it didn’t take long for Unwin to make his mark.
“In the fourth minute of time added on, the frontman found himself in space in the box and glanced a looping header over Saints’ sub ‘keeper Ollie Wright to hand his side the lead at the break.
“And from an almost identical position, Southampton’s Dom Ballard had a header of his own kept out acrobatically by Clarets’ shot stopper Sam Waller soon after the restart.
“Burnley were then given the chance to extend their advantage from the penalty spot after Unwin was brought down in the box on the hour-mark. Max Thompson stepped up but saw his effort palmed away by ‘keeper Wright.
“U23’s boss Jackson then made both of his remaining substitutions to add fresh legs onto the pitch. Having already planned his second change of the afternoon prior to the penalty being awarded, the manager replaced Thompson with Dara Costelloe. Ethen Vaughan also made way, replaced by Finn Armstrong.
“And having withstood a short period of Southampton pressure, the Clarets went on to get their second goal in the 75th minute. Owen Dodgson surged forward and was fouled on the edge of the area giving Tucker the opportunity to have a strike at goal.
“And strike at goal he did, curling the ball seamlessly around the Saints’ defensive wall for the ball to nestle in the bottom corner of Wright’s net. From then on, Jackson’s side looked comfortable. Will Hugill’s block in the area to deny Kazeem Olaigbe and ‘keeper Waller’s tip over the bar from a long-range effort made sure of the clean sheet.”
