U21S MATCH REPORT: BARROW 1-1 BURNLEY (4-3 PENS)

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Defeat in Lancashire FA Senior Cup final

2024-11-26T16:22:49.835Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: BARROW 1-1 BURNLEY (4-3 PENS)

Defeat in Lancashire FA Senior Cup final

2024-11-26T16:22:49.835Z

Defeat in Lancashire FA Senior Cup final

Penalties were the difference between Burnley U21s and Barrow in the 2023/24 Lancashire FA Senior Cup final on Tuesday afternoon, with the Bluebirds winning the shoot out 4-3.

It finished 1-1 after 90 minutes as Joe Westley opened the scoring in the first half, before Chris Popov levelled from the spot seven minutes from time.

The decisive penalty fell to Benn Ward, but Barrow ‘keeper Wyll Stanway stood tall to save well at the SO Legal Stadium.

There were five changes to the side that started Friday night’s Premier League Cup tie against Luton Town, with Charlie Casper returning in goal.

Hamzat Balogun and Joe Ashton were introduced to the defence, with the latter playing at left centre-back and Alex Healy-Byrne filling in at left-back.

Further forwards, Brandon Ly started in centre midfield following his goal scoring cameo against the Hatters and Westley led the line.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BARROW 1-1 BURNLEY (4-3 PENS) - Image 1

It was a first half of little goal mouth action, with much of the game being played in the middle of a tricky playing surface.

Balogun looked to push forward from right-back at every opportunity, firing the team’s first effort at goal well over in the 10th minute.

On the other side of the pitch, Tom Tweedy was almost played through by an inch perfect pass but just strayed offside a minute before the Clarets took the lead.

It was a goal that came out of nowhere, with Mendes sliding through Westley on the right. The striker finished instinctively first time into the bottom right corner from just inside the area.

With their spirits boosted, Andy Farrell’s team attacked with more intent and Westley almost found himself in again, but a heavy touch let him down.

The in-form Tweedy was next to try his luck, but was adjudged to have been offside anyway.

Casper was on-hand to deny the hosts a first-half stoppage-time equaliser, excellently tipping a trialist’s curling effort onto a post and away.

U21S MATCH REPORT: BARROW 1-1 BURNLEY (4-3 PENS) - Image 2

The young Clarets started the second period on the front foot, with Healy-Byrne having a shot blocked behind and Veevers curling narrowly wide in the first 12 minutes.

Then came a change from each bench, with Lewis Richardson replacing Mendes for the Clarets and Barrow’s Trialist E coming on for Dom Telford.

Kamarni Ryan later replaced Westley and Ryan Tioffo took the place of Ly as Burnley looked to see the game out, but a late penalty changed the course of the action.

After Healy-Byrne was adjudged to have bought down his man, Popov coolly sent Casper the wrong way from 12 yards to level.

There was still time for late drama. After Ward produced a fantastic last-ditch tackle, Burnley countered quickly and Richardson found himself one-on-one.

Unfortunately for him and the team, his effort was turned behind by Stanway and the match went to penalties.