U17s REPORT: BURNLEY 3-1 BLACKBURN ROVERS

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Young Clarets come out on top in Premier League Cup East Lancashire derby at Leyland

2021-11-25T16:00:00.201Z

U17s REPORT: BURNLEY 3-1 BLACKBURN ROVERS

Young Clarets come out on top in Premier League Cup East Lancashire derby at Leyland

2021-11-25T16:00:00.201Z

Young Clarets take trip to Merseyside for re-arranged fourth-round tie

Tony Philliskirk led an U17 Clarets’ side to a 3-1 victory against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League Cup, with Burnley making it two wins from two in the competition’s group stages so far this season.

Wiktor Gromek’s strike had Burnley ahead early on, and after the visitors had equalised, a second half brace from Rohan Vaughan clinched the three points at the Lancashire FA’s County Ground in Leyland.

Having beaten Manchester United 4-3 in their first group stage game of the same competition back in September, Burnley came into this one firing and could have been ahead inside two minutes as Lucas Wane stung the palms of Blackburn goalkeeper Will Blease.

Soon after, the Clarets did take the lead though and they did it in some style as midfielder Gromek – one of the experienced heads in the young squad – fired past Blease from 25 yards out.

Burnley shot stopper Jon Vilar Robinson then did well to deny Rovers an instant equaliser as he denied James Edmondson’s effort and tipped another low strike around the post moments later.

Another of the Clarets’ more senior figures in defender Nathan James did well to block an effort from Dominic Biniek, but Blackburn did get their equaliser after a spell of pressure through George Chmiel.

Both sides had chances before the break, with Polish international midfielder Gromek going closest for Burnley with another curling effort at goal, but they went in level at half time.

Boss Philliskirk’s words of wisdom in the dressing room paid off almost instantly come the restart as striker Vaughan, brother of U23s player Ethen, burst through the Rovers backline and slotted home to regain the young Clarets’ one-goal advantage.

Sonny Pickup went close just minutes later and forced a smart stop from Blease, though the visitors applied pressure of their own and it took a good save from Vilar Robinson to deny them a second equaliser of the evening.

U17s REPORT: BURNLEY 3-1 BLACKBURN ROVERS - Image 1

After soaking up that pressure though, Burnley made it count at the other end to extend their lead and effectively secure the victory.

A clinical breakaway saw Vernon Masara out muscle his man and drive down the right wing, squaring for teammate Vaughan to tuck home his second of the game and the young Clarets’ third.

That goal seemingly zapped the energy out of the Blackburn outfit on show, with Rovers struggling to create any further chances and Burnley pushing on looking the more likely to net again.

Philliskirk’s side enjoyed a succession of corners with both Trevon Bryan and Vaughan having efforts deflected over the bar. They – along with Masara – were thorns in the side of the visitors towards the end of the encounter, though no further chances were converted.

The young Clarets had to settle for a 3-1 win in the East Lancashire derby ahead of next week’s final group stage game in the U17 Premier League Cup away at Liverpool.

Kicking off at 7pm, that one will take place next Tuesday – November 30 – at the Reds’ Academy with live coverage on Twitter via @ClaretsAcademy

Burnley: Vilar Robinson, Wane, Masara, Bates, James, Rogers, Bryan, Pickup, Vaughan, Gromek, Tioffo

Subs: Casper, Grant, Behan