WILKES ‘RARING TO GO’ AHEAD OF RUGBY BOROUGH TRIP

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Defender previews final away game of season

2025-04-13T07:00:00.000Z

WILKES ‘RARING TO GO’ AHEAD OF RUGBY BOROUGH TRIP

Defender previews final away game of season

2025-04-13T07:00:00.000Z

Defender previews final away game of season

After a weekend without a competitive fixture because of international call-ups, women’s team defender Tilly Wilkes is looking forward to switching into matchday mode again.

Burnley travel to the Midlands to take on Rugby Borough on Sunday afternoon, and kick-off at the Nationwide Windows Arena is 2pm.

“I’m used to playing every week so it was a nice little break, but everybody’s raring to go again,” she said.

“We all knew as soon as the last game against Rugby finished that we couldn’t wait to play them again and right what went wrong.

“With the internationals being away it’s been a smaller group, which I think has elevated our performance levels.

“Everybody has been trying their hardest and it was probably one of the best weeks of training we’ve had since I’ve been here, to be honest.”

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The reverse fixture Wilkes mentions was played at the County Ground in Leyland at the start of match, and the Clarets made the perfect start.

Long-range strikes from Rhema Lord-Mears and Amelia Hazard earned a two-goal lead at half-time, but the Midlands scored three unanswered goals after the break to secure all three points.

Reflecting on the challenges Rugby posed that day, the left-back continued: “They were one of the most physical teams in the league and had a thorough game plan.

“They used their strengths better than most teams have against us this season and showed that you don’t need the best technical players to be successful.

“Their willingness to keep going when it went to 2-0 and we can probably learn from what they showed against us.”

Sunday’s match being away from home is perhaps a good omen for Interim Head Coach Louise Roberts and her players.

The Clarets have the joint best away record in the Northern Premier Division of the Women’s National League this season, claiming 25 points from a possible 30.

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When asked whether she can put the impressive away form down to anything in particular, Wilkes pointed to the extra time together on matchday.

“Being together as a group on the coach you get to see each other for a few more hours than what you would for a home game, and that brings us together.

“People come out of their shells and grow in confidence ahead of kick-off.

“We can watch presentations on the bus too and get an understanding for each other’s roles, and I think that’s been pretty key to our away results.”

Sunday’s match is the first of two in four days, with Halifax visiting the Daisy Communications Arena in Nelson on Wednesday night.

With that in mind, Wilkes explained the importance of getting back to winning ways following defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

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“We try and learn from every loss and since Wolves we’ve shown some vulnerability and taken accountability as a team.

“That’s given us more of a reason to bounce back this weekend and we want to right those wrongs.

“A win against Rugby would mean a lot to us. The week after Rugby last time was a bit of a down one because of the circumstances so it’s an important game.

“All of us take it one game at a time so come Monday the focus will switch to Halifax, and everybody’s of the belief that we can win our remaining three games.”

Tickets for Sunday’s match at the Nationwide Windows Arena (CV21 4PN) can be purchased online here in advance of the day.

They are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for children/concessions. A family ticket for four people is £12.

If you can't be there in person, be sure to follow live updates via X @BurnleyFCWomen and Instagram @burnleyfcwomen.

Our social platforms will also house post-match reaction from Roberts and her playing squad, with a match report shared on www.burnleyfootballclub.com too.