WOMEN MAKE TURF MOOR HISTORY!

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Look back at team’s two stadium matches

2024-06-13T09:00:00.000Z

WOMEN MAKE TURF MOOR HISTORY!

Look back at team’s two stadium matches

2024-06-13T09:00:00.000Z

Look back at team’s two stadium matches

2023/24 saw Burnley Women take to the Turf Moor pitch twice in a season for the first time in the Club’s history, with fans coming out in their numbers to get behind the team.

Having played Liverpool Feds at the venue towards the end of the previous season, the Merseysiders were the opponents again for current Head Coach Rebecca Sawiuk’s first game at the stadium.

Taking place on Sunday 21st April under bright blue skies, earning a positive result was key as the team aimed to secure a 2nd-place finish behind runaway leaders Newcastle United.

Sawiuk made three changes to the side that had played Stoke City previously, with Georgia Marshall coming into defence, Rhema Lord-Mears taking the ‘number 10’ role and Amaya starting wide left.

Brenna McPartlan ensured a great start, finishing from close range after Feds goalkeeper Rachel Norney had failed to deal with a corner.

It was 2-0 shortly before the half hour as Kelly drilled across the face of goal and Emma Johnson could only divert the ball into her own net.

Lord-Mears then put the cherry on top of a fantastic day 10 minutes from time, completing the scoring in front of the 2,068 strong crowd in the Bob Lord Stand.

Fast forward two weeks and the Clarets were back at the venue, this time for the visit of Derby County on the final day of the Northern Premier Division of the Women’s National League season.

It had been 10 days since the team’s last fixture, a 9-1 victory over West Didsbury & Chorlton in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup, in which Sawiuk had rotated her squad to give players well-earned minutes.

Emma Siddall returned at right back for the Ewes clash and lifelong Claret Naomi Hartley slotted in at centre back for her first outing on the pitch that she used to watch her idols play on as a child.

Elsewhere, Monique Robinson came into centre midfield with Aimee Kelly playing on the left of the three behind striker Laura Elford.

The match had a similarly atmospheric feel to the Liverpool Feds game, with the Burnley fans getting behind the team at every opportunity.

However, Derby took the lead through Dolcie O’Connor with the help of a significant deflection before Amy Sims scored her 21st goal of the season to earn the visitors all three points.

Despite the result, Burnley secured their highest ever league finish and that achievement was recognised by those in attendance, many of whom waited afterwards to meet and mingle with the players.

Both fixtures harnessed a family feeling with pre-match activities, a younger audience in the stands and the players being able to walk out with their loved ones ahead of kick-off.

Burnley Women were able to showcase their free-flowing, attacking style of play on home turf, and are looking forward to doing so again in 2024/25.