U18S MATCH REPORT: BLACKBURN ROVERS 2-1 BURNLEY

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Young Clarets bow out of FA Youth Cup in cruel fashion

2026-03-10T22:33:48.160Z

U18S MATCH REPORT: BLACKBURN ROVERS 2-1 BURNLEY

Young Clarets bow out of FA Youth Cup in cruel fashion

2026-03-10T22:33:48.160Z

Young Clarets bow out of FA Youth Cup in cruel fashion

Burnley U18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end at the quarter final stage courtesy of an own goal with virtually the last kick of the 90.

It finished 2-1 to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, with Fabio So opening the scoring for the young Clarets in the first half.

Manager Tony Philliskirk named the same starting XI that beat Charlton Athletic in round five, with Troy Savage wearing the captain’s armband and Kian McMahon-Brown leading the line.

Destiny Okonkwo was on the bench following his recent hat-trick for the U21s, and he was joined by U16s midfielders Terry Leonard and Sam Morley.

U18S MATCH REPORT: BLACKBURN ROVERS 2-1 BURNLEY - Image 1

The first chance of the night fell to Rovers’ Archie McCoy, but Connor Edwards rushed out of his goal to produce a smart spread save.

Blackburn had the better of the early possession in truth, but the Clarets grew in stature as the half progressed and Brandon Pouani fired over before the deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute.

Pouani whipped a ball in from the left which McMahon-Brown and So both stabbed at, but it was the latter who got the decisive touch from close range.

Philliskirk’s players had the better of the remaining first half minutes but weren’t able to work Rovers 'keeper Harry Holt, and the home team restored parity less than 60 seconds after the restart.

When Valentin Joseph latched onto a through ball, the striker was able to poke it past Edwards and into the bottom left corner.

Rovers pushed forward at every opportunity with the wind firmly in their sails and Dylan Morison, Michael Stanley and Edwards all received yellow cards in their defensive efforts.

U18S MATCH REPORT: BLACKBURN ROVERS 2-1 BURNLEY - Image 2

Philliskirk then turned to his bench for the first time in the 79th minute as Albert Blackie replaced Morison, and So made way for James Lewis shortly afterwards.

Lewis had an immediate impact, teeing up McMahon-Brown for a powerful strike that flew inches over the bar.

The fourth official signalled for three additional minutes, and it was in the last of those that Burnley suffered their heartbreak.

A dangerous cross came across the six-yard box from the left and Joe Wilcock mistimed his connection on the slide to turn the ball into an empty net.

Burnley: Edwards, Morison (Blackie 79), Wilcock, Stanley, King, Savage, Scanlon, So (Lewis 84), McMahon-Brown, Brierley, Pouani

Unused Substitutes: Feeney, Murtesa, Leonard, Morley, Okonkwo

Blackburn Rovers: Holt, Pitt, Pates, Decandia, Kelley-Quinn, Dunn (Higgins 82), McCoy (Sergeant 72), Vare, Joseph, Ball, Tyjon

Unused Substitutes: Wolsoncroft, McIlroy, Lister, Mansbridge, Cryer

Goals: So 32’, Joseph 46’, Wilcock OG 90+3’