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Richardson fires Mariners into Fourth Round as Thomas & Armstrong eye play-offs

2023-01-09T08:00:00.000Z

ACADEMY LOAN WATCH (2023, 8)

Richardson fires Mariners into Fourth Round as Thomas & Armstrong eye play-offs

2023-01-09T08:00:00.000Z

Richardson fires Mariners into Fourth Round as Thomas & Armstrong eye play-offs

Six players from the Clarets academy are currently out on loan across the Football League & non-league pyramid, with a further one seeing his own loan come to an end yesterday.

Forward Lewis Richardson takes the headlines this week, netting his first-ever Emirates FA Cup goal to send Grimsby Town into the Fourth Round of the competition.

With Monday 2nd January already covered in our previous edition, here’s a round-up how the remainder of the week went for all of our loanees.

Bobby Thomas (Bristol Rovers)

Defender Thomas is on a season-long loan deal with Rovers, and he played the full game on Saturday as they moved up to 8th in the Sky Bet League One table with a 2-1 win on the road against Cambridge United.

The centre back – who has been in the Clarets academy since 2017 – has to date missed just one game for the Gas this season, an ever-present from 24th September onwards.

Joey Barton’s side are, at the time of writing, just three points off the play-off spots in the third tier. This week, they could also progress into the last four of the Papa John’s Trophy.

This week’s game(s): TUE – Plymouth Argyle (H – Papa John’s Trophy) & SAT – Accrington Stanley (A)

Finn Armstrong (FC United of Manchester)

Armstrong also played the full game for FC on Saturday as they drew 2-2 at home against Whitby Town in the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, the other three goals in the game then came across a three-minute flurry just after the hour-mark.

The full back has been at Burnley since he was 12, and recently extended his youth loan at Broadhurst Park until 31st January.

This week’s game(s): SAT – Hyde United (H)

Harry Moss (Barnoldswick Town)

Second-year scholar Moss joined local North West Counties Premier Division outfit Barnoldswick last Friday.

The goalkeeper, who has been a Claret since the summer of 2021, was set for an immediate Town debut the following day at home to Squires Gate.

That game though was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, and Moss’ wait for his debut goes on.

This week’s game(s): SAT – Northwich Victoria (H)

Lewis Richardson (Grimsby Town)

Striker Richardson has been at Burnley since he was nine, and having overcome an injury, he returned to action at Grimsby – where he is on a season-long loan – with a bang on Saturday.

Coming off the bench in the 73rd minute of their Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie against Burton Albion at Blundell Park, the forward netted the only goal of the game just three minutes later.

In doing so, he fired the Mariners into the Fourth Round of the competition for the first time since 2000. They will now face Luton Town or Wigan Athletic later this month.

This week’s game(s): SAT – Swindon Town (A)

Lukas Jensen (Accrington Stanley)

Goalkeeper Jensen – who has been a Claret since 2019 - is also out on a season-long loan in the Football League with Stanley.

The Danish shot stopper was an unused substitute in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday as the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw away at National League outfit Boreham Wood.

That Third Round tie will head to a replay, with the prize on offer a meeting with either Cardiff City or Leeds United in the Fourth Round of the competition.

This week’s game(s): TUE – Lincoln City (A – Papa John’s Trophy) & SAT – Bristol Rovers (H)

Sam Waller (Lancaster City)

Last week, fellow ‘keeper Waller extended his own youth loan at Lancaster until 31st January.

In the academy at Burnley from the age of 12, Waller has been an ever-present since linking up with the Dolly Blues back in October. He continued that run on Saturday as they drew 1-1 at home against Stalybridge Celtic.

Sat 15th in the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division at the time of writing, City now face three consecutive away games.

This week’s game(s): TUE – Guiseley (A) & SAT – Liversedge (A)

Will Hugill (Leek Town)

Versatile midfielder Hugill’s youth loan at Leek expired yesterday (8th January).

The 18-year-old had to be withdrawn early on in last Monday’s win against 1874 Northwich having picked up a knock, and wasn’t involved for Town as they lost 4-0 at league leaders Macclesfield FC on Saturday.

A lifelong Clarets fan, Hugill has been at Burnley since 2020. His time at Leek ends with 11 appearances and two goals to his name.