Blackburn District U11s 7 Pendle District U11s 2

HOT-shots Harrison Kay and Harvey McKenna guided Blackburn Under 11s district team to the semi finals of the Luther Mercer Cup after beating Pendle in an entertaining clash.

The deadly duo each bagged a brace - with Ethan Eccleston, Yaya Ahmed and Hussain Bux also on target - as Blackburn came out on top in the East Lancashire derby at Rolls Royce Sports Ground, Barnoldswick.

While the scoreline suggests a comfortable victory for Blackburn, they were made to work for victory against a Pendle side who more than matched them, especially in the first half.

The game ebbed and flowed in the opening period with both teams creating and converting chances as goals rained in thick and fast.

McKenna put Blackburn ahead with a great left-footed strike into the roof of the net before Pendle roared back in search of an equaliser.

Lucas Robinson almost levelled matters but dragged his shot just wide after a mazy run dissected the Blackburn defence. Lloyd Holden then hit the bar with a tremendous effort from a free-kick and Robinson then had three further attempts but fired over the bar on each occasion.

Pendle were made to pay for not taking their chances as Blackburn doubled their lead through Eccleston following a good passing move with Lloyd Holden.

But Pendle finally found the back of the net when Robinson got the goal he deserved when he finished with aplomb after an excellent through ball by Kitt Nelson.

The half ended with two wonderful efforts, Kay's stunning, long-range effort putting Blackburn 3-1 ahead only for Joseph Hopkinson to peg them back with an equally as impressive goal from distance.

The next goal was always going to be crucial and it was Blackburn who re-established their two-goal lead five minutes after the restart when the impressive Kay rivalled in his second of the game to make it 4-2.

Despite Blackburn not having any substitutes, it was Pendle who tired in the second half and Bux and McKenna and both scored following two excellent moves before Ahmed capitalised on a defensive error to make it 7-2 just before the final whistle.

Blackburn will now travel to West Lancashire for a place in the final.

  •  Pendle Under 11 District Team Jacob Moore (Barrowford St.Thomas), Aaron Allum-Collins (Barnoldswick Coe School), Rory Cormack (Blacko School), Joe Crossley (Laneshawbridge School), James Carr-Butterfield (Barnoldswick Coates Lane), Joseph Hopkinson (Colne Sacred Heart), Tommy Davis (Laneshawbridge), Finlay Horner (Higham St John’s Coe School), George Horner (Barrowford St.Thomas), Kitt Nelson (captain, Barrowford St Thomas), Lucas Robinson (Earby Springfield), Tom Whitworth (Earby Springfield), Standby: Kian Noon (Barnoldswick Coe School).

Management Team: Darren Horner, Tim Noon, Mike Timberlake n Blackburn Under 11 District Team Johnny Mcvan (Lower Darwen), Harrison Kay (St.Peter’s R.C.), Yaya Ahmed (Daisyfield), Ethan Eccleston (Feniscowles), Matthew Dutton (captain, QEGS), Nathan George (Lower Darwen), Lloyd Holden (Feniscowles), Harvey Mckenna (Feniscowles), Hussain Bux (Lammack), Management Teadm: Ryan Strange, Simon Wootton