U23 REPORT: ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1-3 BURNLEY

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Clarets book their spot in Lancashire Senior Cup Final

2022-04-11T20:28:31.075Z

U23 REPORT: ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1-3 BURNLEY

Clarets book their spot in Lancashire Senior Cup Final

2022-04-11T20:28:31.075Z

Clarets book their spot in Lancashire Senior Cup Final

Michael Jackson’s U23 side progressed through to the final of the Lancashire Senior Cup on Monday night (11th April) with a 2-1 win away at Accrington Stanley in the last-four of the regional competition.

The Clarets will now face Liverpool at the County Ground in Leyland vying for silverware with details of that fixture to be confirmed after Max Thompson and Ben Woods netted in the first half, with Dara Costelloe securing victory at Stanley late on.

Going into the game on the back of three consecutive victories in league action, only one change was made by boss Jackson from Friday night’s 5-1 success over Newcastle United and it came in goal as Danish goalkeeper Lukas Jensen replaced Sam Waller.

Meanwhile, former Burnley midfielder Dylan Moonan started for Ged Brannan’s Reds alongside first-teamer Ross Sykes while ex-Clarets winger Rhys Fenton was named on the bench as he continued his comeback from injury.

U23 REPORT: ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1-3 BURNLEY - Image 1

First Half

Stanley had the first opportunity of the contest within the opening 60 seconds as Josh Woods saw an effort blocked away, though the Clarets wasted no time in getting ahead when presented with the chance to do so.

Thompson opened the scoring on nine minutes, firing home from inside the box after Costelloe had squared to him after a move upfield which also involved Rob Harker.

And on 23 minutes, Burnley’s advantage was doubled from 12 yards out as Ben Woods – who scored a hat-trick in that win against Newcastle - hit home a penalty after Costelloe had been brought down by Stanley ‘keeper Liam Isherwood.

Isherwood then had to save well from Harker, who struck goalward from the edge of the area on the turn, while Rosaire Longelo went close from distance for the hosts.

Forwards Harker and Costelloe also saw efforts go wide prior to the interval, with Thompson the closest to a third in bringing another stop out of Isherwood

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Second Half

At the restart, hosts Stanley came out firing and after Lewis Mansell had seen a header go over the bar, Josh Woods had one go narrowly wide of Jensen’s far post.

The big goalkeeper then reacted excellently to keep out Sykes’ header at point-blank range before Costelloe fired over at the other end on 68 minutes.

Stanley then had the ball in the back of the net a minute later through Josh Woods, though he was ruled offside from Sykes’ cushion back across the box.

The Reds continued to push though, and eventually did get their breakthrough as former Claret Fenlon came off the bench to halve the deficit on 82 minutes.

Deep into five minutes of time added on, having survived a barrage of pressure from the hosts, Costelloe however finished off a swift move upfield by rounding Isherwood and firing home.

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That virtually the last kick of the game, Burnley reached the final of a competition which the Club has won 12 times previous.

With details of that final against Liverpool to come, Jackson and the U23s return to Premier League 2, Division 2 action this Friday night – 15th April – at home to West Bromwich Albion (7pm kick-off).

Burnley: Jensen, Armstrong, Sassi, Nartey, Dodgson, Thompson, Helm, B. Woods, Tucker (Gomez Mancini ’75), Harker (Ward ’79), Costelloe

Unused Subs: Thomas, Rooney, Unwin

Accrington Stanley: Isherwood, Patrick, Sykes, Procter, Coyle, J. Woods, Moonan (C), Martin, Nolan, Longelo (Spinelli ’84), Mansell (Fenlon ’58)

Unused Subs: Riva, Stowe, Pickles

Goals: Thompson, ‘9, B. Woods, ’24, Fenlon, ’82, Costelloe, ‘90+5.