U18 LFA YOUTH CUP REPORT: BURNLEY 2-2 BLACKBURN ROVERS (6-5 ON PENS)

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Vilar Robinson the shootout hero as Young Clarets take derby day victory to progress into Semi-Finals

2022-11-01T17:53:01.051Z

U18 LFA YOUTH CUP REPORT: BURNLEY 2-2 BLACKBURN ROVERS (6-5 ON PENS)

Vilar Robinson the shootout hero as Young Clarets take derby day victory to progress into Semi-Finals

2022-11-01T17:53:01.051Z

Vilar Robinson the shootout hero as Young Clarets take derby day victory to progress into Semi-Finals

Goalkeeper Jon Ander Vilar Robinson was the hero as Tony Philliskirk’s U18s took a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Blackburn Rovers to claim the bragging rights in East Lancashire and progress into the last four of the Lancashire FA Professional Youth Cup.

Three days after his 17th birthday, the ‘keeper first stepped up to smash home a spot kick of his own in the shootout after a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes before saving Stephen Edmondson’s effort from 12 yards to seal the victory.

Captain Joe Westley and winger Trevon Bryan were the names on the scoresheet for Burnley prior to the shoot-out.

Vilar Robinson started alongside U16 defender Jack McEvilly, with Frankie Deane – who played 45 minutes for the U21s yesterday – also named in the 11.

First Half

It couldn’t have been a better start for the Young Clarets, who got themselves ahead just 27 seconds in through Westley, who fired home from Joe Ashton’s cross into the middle following a missed clearance from a Rovers man.

U18 LFA YOUTH CUP REPORT: BURNLEY 2-2 BLACKBURN ROVERS (6-5 ON PENS) - Image 1

Polish youth international Wiktor Gromek almost made it two soon after, seeing his long-range drive tipped behind by Blackburn ‘keeper Adam Khan. The midfielder also went close with a similar strike, with that coming after the visitors went close with efforts from both George Chmiel & Junior Nsangou.

Prior to the half-hour mark, Burnley then saw Bryan’s shot at the back post, which looked destined for the back of the net, headed behind for a corner by Rovers defender Leonard Duru.

The pressure continued to build, and Thailand youth international centre back Nathan James tried his luck before the half-time whistle but saw his powerful attempt from distance go over the bar following some nice build-up play.

Second Half

Continuing in the same vein at the restart, Philliskirk’s side saw Bryan again denied, this time by Khan before Vilar Robinson was called into action at the other end to keep out Patrik Farkas one-on-one.

U18 LFA YOUTH CUP REPORT: BURNLEY 2-2 BLACKBURN ROVERS (6-5 ON PENS) - Image 2

That stop with his feet provided the visitors with a corner, and from that set-piece, the ball fell to Nsangou who beat Vilar Robinson with a deflected effort but found Deane on the line who cleared away from danger.

Westley was then denied with a good stop from Khan to keep out his header at the back post from a deep Deane delivery into the middle, but the Young Clarets wouldn’t be denied on 65 minutes when Bryan’s own corner flew straight into the back of the net.

Khan got a hand to the whipped delivery, but couldn’t keep it out at his near post and Burnley led by two.

Winger Bryan came close to a second of the afternoon soon after, denied by Khan one-on-one after a free-flowing move upfield, while Gromek fired wide on the half volley from the edge of the area on 69 minutes.

DETAILS CONFIRMED FOR U18s COUNTY CUP SEMI-FINAL TIE - Image 1

Rovers struggled to get into the game until they pulled a goal back on 85 minutes against the run of play as captain Harley O’Grady found himself in the box to volley home.

Using the goal to their advantage, the visitors then pushed for a late leveller, and carved out a chance in the last minute through Brandon Powell who found space in the area but could only hammer a strike over the bar.

Referee Muhammed Matadar added four minutes on, and in the first of those, Rovers equaliser came via Nsangou who fired into the back of the net from the edge of the box.

There would be one last chance prior to the full-time whistle, with Gromek bringing another good reaction stop out of Khan, though it ended 2-2 and the tie went to penalties.

14 spot kicks followed, with six of the Young Clarets – Westley, Sonny Pickup, Lucas Wane, Vilar Robinson, James & Tosin Olopade - dispatching theirs from 12 yards.

U18 LFA YOUTH CUP REPORT: BURNLEY 2-2 BLACKBURN ROVERS (6-5 ON PENS) - Image 4

And having stuck his away, first-year scholar Vilar Robinson then denied Rovers substitute Edmondson to secure a 6-5 win on penalties.

With Burnley’s Quarter-Final success the first of the four last-eight games in the competition this term, Philliskirk’s side now await their Semi-Final opponents. Details of that draw, when made, will be communicated as soon as possible on Twitter via @ClaretsAcademy.

The youth team are now back in action against Preston North End this coming Saturday, 5th November, in the last group stage game of the U18 Professional Development League Cup. Played at the Lilywhites’ Springfields Training Ground, the action gets underway at 10:30am.

Burnley: Vilar Robinson, Olopade, McEvilly, James, Ashton, Deane (Rogers ’87), West, Gromek, Bryan (Wane ’81), Westley ©, Tioffo (Pickup ’85)

Unused Sub: Vaughan

Blackburn: Khan, Duru, Litherland, Doherty, Powell, Chmiel, Caddick, O’Grady, Taylor, Nsangou, Farkas

Subs: Edmondson, Honor, Davies, Houghton

Goals: Westley, ‘1, Bryan, ’65, O’Grady, ’85, Nsangou, ‘90+1