Welcome to Young Guns reports of tonight’s matches for two of our seven young players currently out on loan.
You can read more about how loaning works, as well as catch up on any reports you may have missed in our loanee’s section Here
Tuesday’s Results
Mark Randall – Burnley 2-0 Coventry
Mark Randall was again left on bench with former Gunner John Spicer, as Burnley beat Coventry 2-0, on loan from Sunderland pair Stan Varga and striker Andy Cole failed fitness tests and were not included in the squad, so Burnley started with a 4-5-1 formation, James O’Connor playing just behind Akinbiyi.
The Teams
Burnley: Jensen, Harley, Carlisle, Caldwell, Alexander, James O’Connor, Gudjonsson, McCann, Elliott, Akinbiyi, Lafferty.
Subs: Kiraly, Randall, Spicer, Blake, Unsworth.
Coventry: Marshall, Osbourne, Fox, Ward, Hall, Hughes, Thornton, Tabb, Mifsud, Best, Gray.
Subs: Simpson, Konstantopoulos, Dann, Birchall, Andrews.
Burnley made the much better start, the power and height of Ade Akinbiyi, pressured Elliot Ward, and created space for Kyle Lafferty who had the best of the early chances but fired over.
With the Coventry back four overloaded, Coleman switched to a 4-5-1 formation, with Michael Mifsud playing behind Leon Best, the changes soon led to the sides cancelling each other out in midfield.
But the home side grabbed the lead, Wade Elliott’s corner was headed back across the face of the goal by Clarke Carlisle, the ball hit Akinbiyi and bounced in front of Chris McCann who crashed home with a left footed drive.
Half Time Burnley 1-0 Coventry
The second half was almost the same as the first, a scrappy affair, but Leon Best was starting to dictate, his pace and skills created openings but with little support Clarke Carlisle snuffed out the threat .
Joey Gudjohnsen then pulled up injured on 58 minutes, and Arsenal’s on loan play-maker Mark Randall was introduced, having half an hour to show what he is all about.
Randall then robbed the ball in central midfield, and burst forward, with options available, he showed awesome confidence to take the strike on, but his powerful effort flew over.
Mifsud had a brilliant chance but Brian Jensen got down and saved well , Mark then nearly scored again, a stunning long range drive just tipped wide, two fantastic chances earning praise from the commentary team.
Randall was running the show, his terrific vision allowed him to play Lafferty in, who just missed the ball, when it looked a certain goal,
Mark’s diving header was then put behind for a corner, which Robbie Blake floated in, and skipper Steven Caldwell bulleted home, to double the lead, and give the home side all three points.
Full time Burnley 2-0 Coventry
Mark played 62 minutes
Jay Simpson – Luton Town 1-1 Millwall
Jay Simpson started up front with Lewis Grabban as Millwall travelled to Luton with both sides hoping to ease their relegation fears, new signing Bas Savage was left on the bench.
Both sides started cagey, but the game would burst into life, chances for Matthew Spring and Gary Alexander both should have done better, but the goal would come on 18 minutes, Morgan broke away down the left, whipped in a terrific cross and veteran striker Paul Furlong thumped Luton into the lead.
But Millwall came very close to an equaliser, Simpson and Grabban combining well, before only brave goalkeeper stopped the on loan Arsenal man from scoring, but Grabban would get his goal, Martin’s corner bundled home on 39 minutes.
Jay started brightly in the second half, playing just behind Grabban his vision and pace threatening the Luton back-line, but the Lion’s couldn’t force themselves in front.
Millwall then made two changes with 58 minutes on the clock looking to push for the winner, pace and power was added to the attack.
Ali Fuseini > Armet Brkovic
Gary Alexander > Bas Savage
David Bell played Drew Talbot in, who brought Matthew Spring into the move, he fired wide, in a superb move.
Millwall were looking over run and tired, Simpson was struggling to get the ball with Luton desperate for the points the home side were looking by far the better team.
But Lewis Grabban had a stunning late chance to give the home side the win, he fired wide as from nowhere Millwall found extra energy and looked to win it.
Full time : Luton 1-1 Millwall – Jay played the full 90 minutes.
Millwall remain 18th
Article By – J.Sanderson
Good write up as always jamie. Well done
Great write up mate and i love being able to read up on the loanees but do u think u could just give us a player rating @ the end of each one, keep up the good work
Thanks for the support lads.
and yes i will do that next week,
I learned from a burnley forum that randall featured in a reserve game played on Wednesday. he had an awful game and was subbed at 75′ according to the same source. some of their first team players started in that game. that’s all I knew about that game.