Not content with waiting 51 years to host a European tie at Turf Moor, Burnley put their supporters through a gruelling wait before securing another. The Premier League team needed extra-time goals from Jack Cork and Ashley Barnes to see off the indefatigable menace that was Aberdeen.
There was no evidence on the pitch of the financial chasm that exists between Burnley and last season’s runners-up in the Scottish Premier League. Aberdeen were the more enterprising side for long periods of the second-round qualifier and the 18-year-old Lewis Ferguson produced a stunning overhead kick, the first goal of his career, to equalise Chris Wood’s early opener.
Derek McInnes’ team finished normal time in the ascendency but Sean Dyche’s men will travel to play Istanbul Basaksehir in next Thursday’s third-round first leg. Cork gave the home side breathing space with a soaring header from Charlie Taylor’s cross before Barnes confidently converted from the spot following a handball by Scott McKenna. “The 3-1 is harsh,” Aberdeen’s manager said. “There was nothing in the tie and it could have been so different had we taken our opportunities, but I can’t be critical of our boys. The attitude and confidence we want in an Aberdeen team were evident in both ties.”
It has been a difficult summer in the transfer market for Dyche, who is yet to make a signing and will now spend deadline day on a touchline in Turkey. And the Europa League threatened to add to his problems as Burnley struggled to find a way past the Dons’ excellent goalkeeper, Joe Lewis. Cork’s decisive goal brought palpable relief.
“There have been questions about how far we can go in Europe,” said the Burnley manager, who has submitted bids for Jay Rodriguez, Ben Gibson and Sam Clucas without success so far.
“Our fans literally just want to go into Europe, not just Scotland, so we have achieved that. There were a lot of good signs but there is also a lot of work to do.” As for new signings, Dyche admitted: “We are in the market for lots of different positions. Whatever you think of the market it is very difficult and, even if you put up good money everyone wants more.”
Around 2,500 Aberdeen fans had made the journey south and turned the cricket club next door to Turf Moor into a boisterous, flare-filled party before kick-off. They were silenced quickly – though only briefly – when Wood latched on to a fine through-ball from Ashley Westwood, rounded Lewis, checked back and swept a powerful finish into the roof of the net.
The Italian referee, Massimiliano Irrati, may have suffered culture shock as two teams kept the ball above his head for the majority of the first half. It was a surprise, therefore, how easily Burnley were troubled by the high ball into their area. The Dons sensed a route back into the contest after their difficult opening and capitalised in style.
Deep crosses from Gary Mackay-Steven and Niall McGinn caused problems for the Burnley defence and the former created a moment to savour for Ferguson. The young central defender, making only the second competitive appearance of his career, was first to react when Wood headed Mackay-Steven’s delivery across his own area.
Ferguson had his back to goal and Cork for company yet he executed a superb overhead kick into the top corner. It was a finish his father, the former Rangers midfielder Derek, and uncle Barry, also of Rangers, would have been proud to call their own. Dyche, by contrast, was furious at his team’s defending and Wood’s poor clearance. The Kiwi striker was replaced by Barnes during the interval.
Barnes instigated an immediate improvement and Lewis produced excellent saves to deny the substitute and Sam Vokes, tipping the striker’s header on to the bar. But Aberdeen, inspired by their captain Graeme Shinnie, also had their chances to seal victory before extra time. They paid a heavy price for failing to take them.
