REPORT: Wigan U18s 4 Burnley U18s 2

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Clarets miss out on final place as LFA Cup resumes

2020-10-13T14:23:12.650Z

REPORT: Wigan U18s 4 Burnley U18s 2

Clarets miss out on final place as LFA Cup resumes

2020-10-13T14:23:12.650Z

Young Clarets travel to Sheffield Wednesday for semi-final showdown

The Clarets missed out on a place in the final of the 2020 Lancashire FA Youth Cup as they were beaten at Wigan.

Last season’s competition – delayed because of Covid-19 – picked up at the last-four stage and it was the Latics who set up a final date with Morecambe.

Burnley fielded a youthful side, taken by assistant coach John Townson, with eight first-year scholars in the starting line-up at Wigan's Academy Christopher Park training ground.

And terrifically taken goals from Will Couch and Will Hugill were not enough for the visitors on a tough afternoon in West Lancashire.

After an even opening 10 minutes it was the home side that took the lead from the penalty spot after attacking midfielder Theo Aasgaard slotted home.

Moments later, Clarets goalkeeper Harry Allen made an excellent save to deny Aasgaard from heading home a free-kick and adding a second.

Burnley’s first real chance came after 24 minutes when Sean Etaluku’s curling free-kick was tipped just over.

The Clarets were forced into a change after half an hour when winger Jacob Hamilton was replaced after being on the receiving end of a crunching challenge from Wigan left-back Luke Robinson.

But they did have an equaliser 10 minutes before the break and what a way it was to get it.

Midfielder Hugill flicked the ball over an on-coming man before volleying the ball into the roof of the net from 25-yards out.

Allen was then called into action once again, this time denying striker Kyle Joseph from close range.

And with the scores level at the break, it was Wigan who came quickest out the blocks in the second half to regain the lead 10 minutes in as James Carragher, son of Liverpool legend Jamie, slotted in from inside the box.

Just five minutes later Wigan had a third as the lively Joseph fired home from close range.

Wigan substitute Harry McHugh had a chance to add a fourth and even though his first effort was palmed away by Allen, he did find the net inside the last 10 minutes when he rifled home from distance.

With two minutes to go Clarets midfielder Hugill dinked the ball over the Wigan goalkeeper with a fine finish to make the score 4-2.

But despite their efforts to claw their way back into the tie it was a strong and much older Wigan side who held on to secure a spot in the final.

Burnley: Allen, Coppack, Armstrong, Connolly, McCullough (Behan 58), Etaluku, Hugill, Couch, Hamilton (Walters 30), Mellon, Smyth-Ferguson (Ratchford 72).