ACADEMY LOAN WATCH: FROZEN PITCHES APLENTY WITH THOMAS ON TOP FORM

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Inclement weather sees games nationwide called off with loanees not in action

2022-12-12T08:00:00.000Z

ACADEMY LOAN WATCH: FROZEN PITCHES APLENTY WITH THOMAS ON TOP FORM

Inclement weather sees games nationwide called off with loanees not in action

2022-12-12T08:00:00.000Z

Six players from the Clarets academy are currently out on loan across the Football League & non-league pyramid.

Frozen pitches and heavy snowfall have dominated the non-league scene, as well as putting paid to some games across Sky Bet League One & Two. The Clarets U21s themselves saw Friday’s scheduled trip to Arsenal called off in the Premier League Cup due to the inclement weather.

So, with only Bobby Thomas in action, here’s how he got on along with a look ahead to the other five’s fixtures in the coming days.

Bobby Thomas (Bristol Rovers)

Defender Thomas saw Rovers beat the freeze at the Memorial Stadium to get their Sky Bet League One game against Port Vale on Saturday.

And although they took a while to heat up, Joey Barton’s side claimed an 87th minute winner and are now just three points off the play-off spots.

Thomas, who is with the Gas on a season-long loan, played his part in a 6th clean sheet of the season so far in that win over the Valiants. He has been a Claret since 2017.

This Week’s Games: TUE – MK Dons (H – Papa John’s Trophy) & SAT – Charlton Athletic (A)

Finn Armstrong (FC United of Manchester)

All 11 scheduled games in the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division were postponed on Saturday, falling foul to the weather, including FC’s trip across the North West to Atherton Collieries.

Full back Armstrong - who has been at Burnley from the age of 12 - is set to remain at Broadhurst Park until 31st December, and this weekend will go up against Nantwich Town.

This Week’s Games: SAT – Nantwich Town (A)

Lewis Richardson (Grimsby Town)

Frontman Richardson is out on a season-long loan with Grimsby in Sky Bet League Two.

Their home game against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday survived, and went ahead, though the striker – who has been a Claret since he was nine – wasn’t involved.

The Mariners won 2-1, and at the time of writing sit 14th in the table.

This Week’s Games: SAT – Mansfield Town (A)

Lukas Jensen (Accrington Stanley)

Goalkeeper Jensen is also out in the Football League for the duration of this season, playing a division higher with Stanley.

ACADEMY LOAN WATCH: FROZEN PITCHES APLENTY WITH THOMAS ON TOP FORM - Image 2

Their scheduled game at the Wham Stadium against Portsmouth was however called off, along with two other Sky Bet League One fixtures.

This week, the Danish-born shot stopper – who has been with Burnley since 2019 – will attempt to help his loan Club into the last eight of the Papa John’s Trophy.

This Week’s Games: TUE – Burton Albion (Papa John’s Trophy) & SAT – Port Vale (A)

Sam Waller (Lancaster City)

As with full back Armstrong, ‘keeper Waller – who has been in the Clarets academy since he was 12 - is on loan in the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division.

With Lancaster until 3rd January 2023, Stockport-born Waller saw their trip to Nantwich Town postponed on Saturday.

This Week’s Games: SAT – Radcliffe (A)

Will Hugill (Leek Town)

Versatile midfielder is a tier below with Leek, where his youth loan runs until 8th January 2023.

Thomas & Jensen star in Papa John's Trophy while Hugill eyes top spot

Just one game of 10 was played out on Saturday in the Northern Premier League’s West Division as table toppers Macclesfield FC beat bottom of the division Ramsbottom United.

Accordingly, Hugill – who is a lifelong Burnley fan and has been in the academy since 2020 – saw Leek’s scheduled trip to Prescot Cables postponed.

This Week’s Games: TUE – Skelmersdale United (A) & SAT – Bootle (H)