Churlinov and Hugill strikes secure victory over Rovers in east Lancashire derby
A number of Vincent Kompany’s first team players continued their return to full fitness on Tuesday afternoon as the Clarets sealed a 2-0 win against Blackburn Rovers at the Burnley Training Centre.
Striker Michael Obafemi completed a successful 30 minutes for Burnley in the Central League Cup clash, in what was his first taste of action since picking up an injury in the summer on international duty.
Darko Churlinov, who opened the scoring for the hosts, was also named in the starting XI alongside Han-Noah Massengo, CJ-Egan Riley and Lawrence Vigouroux.
Churlinov curled home the first goal of the afternoon prior to the break, before midfielder Will Hugill doubled the Clarets’ lead just after the hour mark.
First Half
Rovers started brightest of the two teams and came close to an opener when Leonard saw his glancing header denied by the hands of Vigouroux.
The visitors thought they had clinched the opener shortly after, but the close-range effort was flagged for offside and the score remained goalless.
Burnley then created their first opportunity of the tie when Hugill broke forward towards goal from midfield but saw his strike sail over the crossbar.
Westley was next up to attempt at breaking the deadlock but his header was pushed away by the hands of Michalski.
Just as the two sides seemed to be heading into the break level, Churlinov struck in the 42nd minute as the North Macedonian winger picked out the target from 25-yards out to give the Clarets the advantage at half time.
Second Half
Rovers substitute had a chance to pull the scores level early in the second half but could only force Vigouroux into action to gather his close-range strike.
Westley had his second opportunity of the derby just before the hour mark, however his low driven effort fizzed just wide of the post.
The Clarets started the second half strongly and got a deserved second when Tweedy picked out Hugill on the edge of the area with the midfielder breaking into the box and firing home into the bottom corner past Michalski.
Churlinov’s successful afternoon came to a close with 20 minutes left, making way for a trialist as Ashton replaced Pye.
Despite efforts from Rovers to try pull a goal back in the closing stages, the Clarets were resilient and stood strong to keep a clean sheet and seal a win.
Burnley: Vigouroux, Massengo, Pye (Trialist 70), Sassi, Egan-Riley (West), Campbell, Tweedy, Hugill, Obafemi (Healy-Byrne 30), Westley, Churlinov (Ashton 70)
Unused substitutes: Moss
Blackburn Rovers: Michalski, Duru, Batty, Gamble, Montgomery, Wood, Weston, Leonard, Edmondson, Davis, Powell
Substitutes: Olson, Caddick, Stritch, Nsangou, Khan
Goals: Churlinov 42′, Hugill 62′
