BURNLEY have set up a Lancashire Senior Cup final date with Blackburn Rovers after seeing off Rochdale in a 10-goal thriller.

The Clarets won 6-4 in the semi-final at the Barnfield Training Centre on Wednesday afternoon and will now meet Rovers in the showpiece with a date for the final yet to be revealed.

Burnley took the lead through Dan Agyei in the 23rd minute and the same man doubled their advantage from the penalty spot three minutes later.

Rochdale fought back and turned the tie on its head with three goals in five minutes as Jordan Williams and a Jimmy Keohane brace put the visitors in front.

There was still time for a sixth goal in an action packed first period as Bobby Thomas levelled two minutes before the break.

Substitute Lewis Richardson then put the home side front with his first touch in the opening minute of the second half and then bagged his second to make it 5-3.

Zach Clough brought Dale back into the contest on the hour when he scored from the spot but Burnley sealed victory in the closing stages when Richardson, an England Under-16 international, completed his hat-trick.

“It’s a massive positive,” said Stone, of the match-winner's performance. “I’ve seen his talent in training in the last couple of days and I always wondered whether he could handle the physicality of an under-23s game.

“That was more physical and he handled it no problem.

“He used his body really well to protect the ball and his awareness and his runs are really good as well.

“That’s why we gave him the opportunity to go and have a go. He’s scored goals at every level on the way up and you just wonder how far he’s going to go.

“It’s important we have accelerated development and I’m all about that and giving youngsters a chance.

“Why wait until next year or the year after? Why wait until he’s in the building? Why not give him a go now?

“That’s what I’m all about, so that was the reasoning behind it.

“I wouldn’t have minded if he hadn’t scored any goals. I just wanted him to have a feel and go and enjoy it with no pressure.

“It’s really early days for him, but you couldn’t ask any more. We’re always looking for someone to come along and catch our eye.”