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It’s six games unbeaten now for the under-23s after today’s 3-1 win against Ipswich Town at Curzon Ashton gave us a second successive win to add to the four draws from the first four games this season.

The afternoon was one of personal triumph for Ali Koiki who, playing in a more advanced role this season on the left, helped himself to a hat trick with two of the three goals coming from the penalty spot.

It was a very young Burnley team that took the field, particularly in the attacking sense, with second year scholar Ne-Jai Tucker preferred to Tunde Bayode on the right hand side of the midfield and, in the absence of Rob Harker with an injury, Joe McGlynn partnered Lewis Richardson up front, both players just sixteen years of age.

Hat trick for Ali Koiki
Hat trick for Ali Koiki

The Ipswich team was considerably more experienced and included five players who have had varying levels of first team experience, the most experienced being former Accrington defender Toto Nsiala who has played close to 250 Football League games.

The team sheet for today’s game predicted there would be four goals but it didn’t quite get the correct score, it had a result of Burnley 0 Ipswich 4 entered and there was little chance of our debutant Danish goalkeeper Lukas Jensen conceding that many goals. He didn’t have a huge amount to do and had no chance with the Ipswich goal. He handled the ball well and there was not one single shout of BEAST.

Despite having the better of the exchanges, the game didn’t swing our way until midway through the first half. There hadn’t been too much between the teams but when Richardson got in front of Nsiala the Ipswich defender pulled him back and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Koiki stepped up to hit the spot kick down the middle and we were in front.

Quite how we didn’t get a second penalty as the first half drew to a close only the referee will ever know. This time the offending defender was Barry Cotter. He blatantly pulled back McGlynn who looked a certain scorer and looked very relieved when nothing was given.

If Ipswich had made it difficult for us in the first half, it was somewhat different after the break as we took command and just past the hour the game was over and done with. Goalkeeper Adam Przybek was the next to give a penalty away. He didn’t get away with it when he brought down Richardson and up came Koiki, this time hammering home into the top left hand corner.

Six minutes later Koiki was celebrating a hat trick. Richardson forced Przybek into a save but he could do no more than parry it into the path of Koiki who converted from close range.

Three could have been four when Tucker played a delightful ball into the box from the right. Richardson got in front of the defenders but the goalkeeper denied him what would have been a fully deserved goal with a terrific save.

We might have scored more but then allowed Ipswich to enjoy more of the ball in the closing minutes which resulted in substitute Ryley Scott converting in the final minute of normal time, much to the displeasure of coach Steve Stone who gave some of the players a blasting.

But there was never a threat of an Ipswich comeback and Burnley were comfortable winners on our return to Curzon Ashton.

The teams were;

Burnley: Lukas Jensen, Ryan Cooney, Oliver Younger, Scott Wilson, Anthony Glennon, Ne-Jai Ticker (Tunde Bayode 82), Christian N’Guessan, Adam Phillips, Ali Koiki, Joe McGlynn, Lewis Richardson. Subs not used: George McMahon, Jordan Cropper, Josh Benson, Mitch George.

Ipswich: Adam Przybek, Barry Cotter, Toto Nsiala, Corrie Ndaba, Bailey Clements, Brett McGavin, Armando Dobra (Lounes Foudil 60), Idris El Mizouni, Ben Folami, Jordan Roberts (Ryley Scott 68), Tyreece Simpson. Subs not used: Toby Egan, Dylan Crowe, Kai Brown.

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