WOMEN’S LFA SENIOR CUP FINAL PREVIEW: BURNLEY V DARWEN FC

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Claret Women look to lift silverware and make go back-to-back in County Cup competitions

2023-04-12T10:54:16.612Z

WOMEN’S LFA SENIOR CUP FINAL PREVIEW: BURNLEY V DARWEN FC

Claret Women look to lift silverware and make go back-to-back in County Cup competitions

2023-04-12T10:54:16.612Z

Claret Women look to lift silverware and make go back-to-back in County Cup competitions

Burnley FC Women are in cup final action at the County Ground in Leyland on Wednesday night – 12th April – when they take on Darwen FC Ladies for the honour of being the first-ever holders of the Lancashire FA Women’s Senior Cup (7.30pm KO).

The Claret Women last season won the LFA’s Women’s Challenge Cup, beating AFC Fylde 4-1 in the final of that competition with goals from Evie Priestley (2), Millie Ravening & Courtney Willis.

WOMEN’S LFA SENIOR CUP FINAL PREVIEW: BURNLEY V DARWEN FC - Image 1

Ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, Lancashire’s county cup competitions were revamped and the newly-formed Senior Cup was created for teams based in tiers 2-5 of the pyramid.

With five clubs fitting into that criteria and entering the newly-formed Senior Cup, three – including Darwen - were handed a bye into the semi-finals with a randomised draw.

Burnley weren’t one of those three, so took on Fylde for a spot in the last four back in November at the Coasters’ home, Kellamergh Park.

Two late headers from Millie Ravening proved the difference on an afternoon which saw torrential rain, and had set up a semi-final showdown away against Blackburn Community Sports Club Ladies.

WOMEN’S LFA SENIOR CUP FINAL PREVIEW: BURNLEY V DARWEN FC - Image 2

That was until Blackburn BSC withdrew from the competition 48 hours prior to the scheduled last-four tie, and accordingly Burnley were handed a bye into tonight’s final.

In a role reversal, Darwen had to earn their spot in the final with a 3-1 win at the last four stage against West Didsbury & Chorlton which came in late January.

Skip forward just shy of three months, and Jay Bradford’s Claret Women head into this evening’s game at the Lancashire FA’s headquarters on the back of a thumping 7-2 win at Stoke City on Easter Sunday.

In what was a third away trip in seven days, Ravening was again on target with a brace of penalties while Sarah Greenhalgh, Evie Priestley, Laura Elford, Leah Embley and an own goal gave the scoreline the handsome look the performance in the Potteries deserved.

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Darwen meanwhile – who sit 10th in the North West Women’s Regional League – have endured a difficult campaign in the fifth tier.

With two wins and eight points to their name from 17 league games played so far this term, ‘The Salmoners’ lost 5-0 away against promotion-chasing Curzon Ashton last weekend.

Entry at the County Ground (PR25 2LF) this evening will cost £6 for adults & £3 for concessions.

If you can’t make it, we’ll be covering the final in full on Twitter - @BurnleyFCWomen – and on other social channels via @BurnleyOfficial. There’ll also be the opportunity for you to read a post-match report right here on burnleyfc.com.