BLADES SHOW QUALITY IN PRE-SEASON ENCOUNTER

Higher tier opposition offered productive pre-season learnings for Matt Bee’s side

Burnley FC Women continued their pre-season campaign with a visit to Sheffield United Women of the women’s Championship at the weekend, with the blades coming out comfortable 4-1 winners on a warm afternoon at Sheffield United Training Ground.

Sheffield, who finished fourth in the women’s Championship last season, enjoyed a lively start netting all 4 goals within the first 25 minutes. The Clarets pulled one back on the half hour mark when a handball resulted in a penalty which striker Chloe Mapp converted from the spot.

Following a fraught start from the visitors, the game settled with both sides enjoying chances but the score remained unchanged come the final whistle.

Burnley FC Women Manager, Matt Bee said: “It is always a tough challenge when you face a team from the women’s Championship and Sunday was no different.

“In the early stages of the game, we didn’t control the key moments well enough, and Sheffield United were ruthless. It’s fine margins in specific areas that make the difference and for the first 20 minutes we lacked efficiency in these.

“However, once we settled into the game and refocused, we operated effectively for large spells, and we have to reflect on the good aspects of the performance as well as the reminders on where we can sharpen up.”

The visit to Sheffield comes off the back of a midweek win against FC United Women. The Clarets visited the Mancunian side in their second friendly of pre-season and ran out 2-0 winners on the night with goals from forward Evie Priestley and midfielder Nicola Worthington.

Burnley began their pre-season fixtures in mid-July when they travelled to Glasgow to face Celtic of the Scottish Women’s Premier League. The tough test, against a side who this year qualified for the Women’s Champions League courtesy of their runners up spot in last season’s Premiership Division, offered the chance to experience a challenging run out against in-form, quality opposition. The game ended 1-0 to the home team, with Kathleen McGovern on the scoresheet.

Bee continued: “Pre-season so far has been pleasing, we are still yet to have all the players on the training pitch at the same time so that is something we are aiming for. However, the intensity and focus that everybody has brought with them since we returned has been good. We have worked hard to prepare the players effectively and we will continue to do that over the coming weeks.”

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