FA Youth Cup: Burnley 0, Sheffield Wednesday 6

BURNLEY came a cropper in the FA Youth Cup -- with Sheffield Wednesday striker Dene Cropper doing most of the damage at Turf Moor last night.

The tall forward along with strike partner John Shaw posed all kinds of problems as Burnley's defence struggled to cope with their pace and strength in their opening AXA clash.

It was a sign of things to come in the first minute when John Barrett's ball to the far post was headed back across the goal and it was an easy one for regular reserve team player Shaw to head home.

Clarets right back Andy Leeson made a timely interception with Shaw free to halt a rampant Wednesday but two goals in three minutes before half-time killed the tie off.

On 35 minutes, Cropper turned Burnley defender Earl Davis on the edge of area and curled a shot past the diving James Salisbury. And three minutes later Alex Callery broke free from a Clarets attack, raced down the middle of the park unhindered and passed to Cropper on his right, who rifled a shot into the roof of the net.

Burnley striker Ashley Smith was introduced in the second half and he caused Wednesday's defence a few problems.

And minutes after the restart, Paul Barrett had Burnley's best chance. He jumped for a long ball with goalkeeper Michael Doherty, got there before the keeper and his effort looked to be rolling over the line before Greg Young raced back to clear.

It was soon back to defending though, Andy Waine stopping Nicky Byne racing free -- but it only delayed the inevitable with the Owls soon making it four.

On 58 minutes, Ryan Jubb beat the off-side trap to put in Barrett six yards out who slotted the ball between Salisbury and the post.

Davis then stopped Shaw shooting on the edge of the area with a stretching tackle and Salisbury came to the rescue, pushing out Cropper's effort in a one-on-one.

The Clarets had a chance to grab a consolation in their best spell when, on 76 minutes, Doherty spilled the ball in a goalmouth scramble but he managed to recover with Davis waiting to pounce.

But it was 5-0 seven minutes from time when Paul Scott felled winger Jubb on the edge of the area. The referee pointed to the spot and despite Salisbury saving the penalty, he could not prevent Cropper celebrating a hat-trick with the follow up.

And, at the death, it was 6-0, Cropper again involved, passing to Jubb on the right who fired home from a tight angle to complete a miserable night for the young Clarets. Wednesday now face a trip to Bolton Wanderers in the next round.

SQUAD: Salisbury, Leeson, Scott, Pilkington, Davis, Leary, Henry, Fogarty, Barrett (Whelan), Grimes (Smith), Waine. Subs not used: Zajac, Rooney, Smith.