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Clarets hit back to earn point from first draw of the season

2020-10-26T20:00:00.000Z

Burnley FC Women 1 Stoke City FC Women 1

Clarets hit back to earn point from first draw of the season

2020-10-26T20:00:00.000Z

Clarets hit back to earn point from first draw of the season

Nicola Shirtcliffe cancelled out a goal from the league’s leading goalscorer as the Clarets drew their first game of the season in the Women’s National League.

Lizzy Steele continued her prolific campaign to put the Potters ahead just before half-time.

But the Clarets quickly hit back as defender Shirtcliffe looped home a cross five minutes after the break to earn Burnley a point and keep them seventh in the Northern Premier Division.

The hosts were on the back foot for much of the first half and had to weather some early pressure as Cara Bickett blocked a shot on goal.

Chloe Mapp then had a chance to open her scoring account for the Clarets with a shot she put wide as Burnley relieved the pressure.

And Matt Bee’s side looked to have the better chances as the half progressed until Steele pounced in injury time to put Stoke ahead as the striker cut inside the Clarets’ defence and shot past Lauren Bracewell.

It was a short-lived lead, however, as the Clarets made the advantage of kicking down the slope at Padiham’s Ruby Civil arena count.

Burnley FC Women 1 Stoke City FC Women 1 - Image 1

The first crosses into the area were well defended by the visitors but within five minutes a powerful cross from Shirtcliffe beat former Aston Villa goalkeeper Daniela Kosinska and dipped under the crossbar to make it 1-1.

Another chance on goal was thwarted by a wall of Stoke defenders when a corner fell free in the goalmouth as Clarets tried to force a way through.

And an injury to Kosinska after a one-on-one challenge with Katie Thomas then led to a change in Stoke’s goal.

Thomas soon had another chance she struck into the side netting and later was shouldered off by a strong defender as she tried to cut through on goal.

Then in action-packed added time Stoke had a free-kick that Bracewell tipped over before the Clarets’ skipper dealt with another threatening set-piece.

And Thomas had one final chance when she rushed through on goal but could not get a shot off as the sides had to settle for a share of the points.

Burnley FC Women travel away to face Derby County Women at Mickleover Sports Club next Sunday.