WOMEN END 2021 WITH A DRAW

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Clarets secure point against Nottingham Forest Women

2021-12-19T18:37:24.330Z

WOMEN END 2021 WITH A DRAW

Clarets secure point against Nottingham Forest Women

2021-12-19T18:37:24.330Z

Clarets secure point against Nottingham Forest Women

Positive performance for team, ahead of Christmas break

A second half goal from Courtney Willis saw Burnley FC Women share the points with Nottingham Forest Women in the last game of the year.

Burnley remained unchanged from last weekend’s Women’s FA Cup encounter against Liverpool FC Women, while Forest made three changes with Hewitt, West and Higginbottom coming into the starting line-up.

The home side came out fighting, pressing Burnley high up the pitch. The early pressure resulted in a Forest corner in the first minute. A scramble in the box saw Harkin strike the crossbar but the Clarets cleared well.

In the first ten minutes Burnley took time to settle into the fast pace of the game. Forest capitalised on their early pressure, when they took a short corner with West crossing the ball into the box. Brown was alive to it and headed the ball into the back of the net, 1-0.

Burnley reacted well to going behind and five minutes later Millie Ravening won the ball cleverly in midfield. As she drove forward, she aimed for the bottom corner but keeper Batty got down well to save.

In a flurry of corners for the home side, Anderson’s corner reached Axten who’s attempt hit the crossbar.

In a positive move going forward, Lizzy Hamer laid the ball off to Evie Priestley, but her shot travelled over.

As the referee blew for half-time, Brown’s goal separated the sides.

The visitors started the second half brightly showing their intent in a search for an equaliser.

A scramble in the Forest box saw the ball dangerously fly around, with Batty and Steggles clearing off the line and the Clarets unfortunate not to score.

However, three minutes later Courtney Willis drew the Clarets level when her shot travelled past Batty, 1-1.

In the first change of the game, Burnley defender Megan Dykes was replaced by Dani Cooper.

Axten sent in another good cross for the home team, but Clarets Captain Bracewell was quick to smother the ball.

Burnley maintained the pressure and were not without chances throughout the half. Evie Priestley flew forward but saw her attempt drag just wide of the goal.

Keeper Bracewell and the backline dealt with any danger well and Burnley were quick on the counter. In the 83rd minute, Lucia Molinari was through on goal but a sliding tackle by Steggles prevented her getting a shot away.

As the game entered the final few minutes Burnley continued to look threatening. Forest made a change in the 86th minute with Powell making way for Bonser before the referee blew the final whistle and the points were shared.

Captain Lauren Bracewell said: "I think it took us a while to get into the game, but we had a great second half performance, and overall, I think we should have come away with all three points.

“It was a good performance to finish the year on so now we'll take a break over Christmas, regroup and then look forward to going again in the new year."

Burnley FC Women are next in action on Sunday 9th January with a trip to Middlesbrough Women FC.

Burnley: Bracewell, Cooper, Wilson, Brown, Dykes (Dani Cooper 56), Worthington, Ravening, Hamer, Willis (Thomas 74), Priestley, Molinari

Subs: Farrell, Greenhalgh

Nottingham Forest: Batty, Harkin, Hewitt, Brown, Steggles, Axten, West, Anderson, James, Higginbottom, Powell (Bonser 86)

Subs: Cook, Walters