Burnley suffer cruel heartbreak against Blackburn Rovers in FA Youth Cup quarter final

Joe Wilcock cruelly turned the ball into the back of his own net in the third and final minute of injury time, as Rovers came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Ewood Park.

Fabio So had earlier put Tony Philliskirk’s side in front with a close-range effort, only for Valentin Joseph to level straight after half-time.

It was a scrappy, edgy cup tie, which is perhaps understandably given a spot in the last four was at stake.

But it is Rovers who claim the derby spoils, while the young Clarets are left to lick their wounds after beating Wolves, Norwich City and Charlton Athletic to reach this stage.

First-teamers Connor Roberts and Ashley Barnes watched on from the directors’ box alongside coaching members Jack Cork and Henrik Jensen.

Rovers favourite David Dunn, meanwhile, was on watching duties with his son Isaac starting for the home side.

It was the hosts who were the first to threaten, as a deep cross swung to the back post was headed towards goal by Michael Decandia, but Clarets stopper Connor Edwards made a comfortable save.

Rovers continued to enjoy the early running, opening up the Burnley defence in the sixth minute only for Edwards to make a crucial stop to deny Archie McCoy.

It was an otherwise scrappy start to proceedings, with both sides competing well but unable to create too much in the way of clear-cut openings.

Edwards was certainly the busier of the two keepers though, getting down to his left to make another save, this time from Igor Tyjon who tried his luck with a scuffed first-time effort.

We had to wait until the 20th minute for Burnley’s first shot in anger, but Fabio So was unable to control his half volley which sailed harmlessly wide from 20 yards out.

Brandon Pouani came close for the Clarets midway through the first half, rifling a rising effort just over the upright after being played in down the left channel.

The game needed a goal to liven it up and thankfully, just after the half-hour mark, Burnley delivered.

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The goal came courtesy of their brightest performer up to that point, So, who slammed home from close range after the hosts had failed to clear their lines from a Clarets corner.

It prompted a chant of “Blackburn Rovers, it’s happening again” from the Burnley fans housed behind the goal in the Darwen End.

The half ended with Clarets skipper Troy Savage trying his luck with a driven effort from effort, but his powerful effort cleared the crossbar.

Burnley’s lead was quickly wiped out at the start of the second half, as Blackburn levelled within 60 seconds of the restart.

Tall, powerful striker Valentin Joseph was the man to get it, bundling home after getting in between Burnley’s two centre backs.

Ten minutes later, Joseph almost completed the comeback for good when he headed just wide from a teasing right-wing cross.

Midway through the second period, Burnley stopper Edwards was fortunate to remain on the pitch after handling a ball outside his box after misjudging the bounce of a long ball. But after long deliberation, the referee decided to only brandish a yellow card. The subsequent free-kick, meanwhile, was well blocked by the wall.

The home side came within a whisker of taking the lead with just 10 minutes left on the clock when Edwards and Corey King combined to almost turn the ball over their own goalline, only to desperately scramble clear just in time.

Rovers continued to look the more likely to win it as Tyjon slammed a rising effort into the side netting in the 85th minute, before substitute Harvey Higgins had a far post header well saved.

Burnley did have a late sight of goal though, as Kian McMahon-Brown - their striking dangerman - was denied by the fingertips of Harry Holt as he shot on the turn.

It looked for all intents and purposes that the game would be heading for extra time, but the game ended in heartbreak for Burnley as a disastrous own goal in the third and final minute of stoppage time handed Rovers the derby spoils.

Wilcock was the unlucky player to turn the ball home into the back of his own net after Jayden Sargeant had been allowed to run into the box unopposed.

Ugly scenes followed at the full-time whistle, as the Blackburn players headed straight over to the away end to goad the travelling Burnley fans.

TEAMS

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

Subs not used: Wolsoncroft, McIlroy, Lister, Mansbridge, Cryer

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

Subs not used: Feeney, Murtesa, Leonard, Morley, Okonkwo

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