Two goals for Junior Stanislas |
Junior Stanislas, on his way back from injury, and Alex MacDonald, recently returned from a loan at Plymouth, both bagged a brace for the Clarets in a game played at Everton's Finch Farm training centre.
Captained by Kevin Long, we faced an Everton under-21 team and took an early lead when Steven Hewitt played in Stanislas to score but Everton replied with a goal from Conor McAleny.
It was Burnley who went back in front again through MacDonald with a long range strike, and Burnley led 3-1 at half time after another outstanding goal, this time providing Stanislas with his second.
Not to be outdone, MacDonald added his second after half time to complete the scoring.
It was a performance that pleased development coach Simon Weatherstone. "It was a fully professional performance and we were delighted with the scoreline at the end of it," he said.
"The message we have been giving to the lads is to create a tempo by working hard, by getting on the ball and moving for each other and be positive with their passes and it was a thoroughly impressive performance.
"The first team lads who dropped down have given a message to the gaffer and the staff. Tom Anderson has come in and was exceptional. He's been on loan at Barrow and done really well.
"The front two (MacDonald and Fletcher) were a real handful and the trialist in the middle did really well with Stevie Hewitt. I thought they dominated the middle of the park, which was good, and the lads who came on will have gained great experience from it, especially playing with the first team lads. Kevin Long was captain and they helped him along."
The team was: Conor Mitchell, Luke O'Neill (Alex Coleman 65), Tom Anderson, Kevin Long, Joseph Mills, Dane Richards (Adam Evans 70), Steven Hewitt, Trialist (Archie Love 65), Junior Stanislas (Shay McCartan 65), Alex MacDonald (Joe Jackson 70), Wes Fletcher.