Fowler’s day at Gawthorpe
When Burnley kicked off a first ever season in the U18 Professional Development League we did so with a 4-1 defeat against Watford with Michael Fowler scoring our goal. Having had a good tournament in Prague, in which he scored three times, the Sunderland born striker scored in each of our first three league games, the other two being the winners against Cardiff and Millwall.
But that was it, there hadn’t been another goal until today because of a knee injury that required surgery. Having recovered, he’s been back in the squad recently and today he got his opportunity up front against Hull City and how he took it, netting a hat trick in a 4-1 win, this after we’d fallen behind.
After an even, and largely uneventful, start, it was Hull who started to grab the initiative and it led to them taking the lead after twenty minutes with an effort that found its way in right in the corner as some spectators initially thought it had gone wide.
They might have had a second too and, for a short time, it looked as though we might have a tough afternoon. But we turned things round before half time and it started nine minutes before the break when Fowler got his first, turning in a low cross from left-back Kwasinkosi Mpofu.
Four minutes later and we were in front and this was probably the pick of the three from Fowler who turned really well in the box before firing home past the helpless goalkeeper and before half time he’d contributed to goal number three when he played the ball through for Tristan Jumeau. He was left one-on-one with the goalkeeper and never looked as if he wasn’t going to score.
So 3-1 at half time while for much of the second half it was stalemate. It was always Burnley looking the most likely with Marley Blair prominent down the right and he got the assist on goal number four, playing the ball through for the now delighted Fowler to hit home a powerful shot to complete his hat trick.
Just a few minutes later, he and Dylon Meredith, who had worked so well up the field, were substituted as Burnley coasted home to a very comfortable 4-1 win.
On a final note, a weather report often accompanies a youth team report at Gawthorpe and I can confirm that it was another very cold and windy afternoon at the training ground.
But well done to the young Clarets in their penultimate game and in particular to Michael Fowler.
The team was: Aidan Stone, Jordan Cropper, Ed Cook, Scott Wilson, Kwasinkosi Mpofu, Marley Blair, Sam Layton, Ethan Kershaw, Tristan Jumeau, Dylon Meredith (Terry Mupariwa 78), Michael Fowler (Will Harris 78). Subs not used: Adam Bruce, Dan Moss, Kian Yari.
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