WOMEN’S LFA SENIOR CUP FINAL REPORT: BURNLEY 9-0 DARWEN FC

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Claret Women go back-to-back in County Cup competitions as they dismantle Salmoners in final

2023-04-12T22:22:44.400Z

WOMEN’S LFA SENIOR CUP FINAL REPORT: BURNLEY 9-0 DARWEN FC

Claret Women go back-to-back in County Cup competitions as they dismantle Salmoners in final

2023-04-12T22:22:44.400Z

TAYLOR LOOKS BACK ON ‘INVALUABLE’ LOAN SPELL WITH CLARETS - Image 3

Burnley FC Women became the first-ever holders of the Lancashire FA Women’s Senior Cup courtesy of a thumping 9-0 victory against Darwen FC Ladies in the competition's inaugural final.

In turn, having won the LFA Women's Challenge Cup last season, the Claret Women made it back-to-back success in County Cup competitions.

Against the Salmoners, Sarah Greenhalgh & Millie Ravening both netted hat-tricks with the latter taking her own tally for the season up to 30 in all competitions. Courtney Willis and Aimee Kelly then both came off the bench and also got on the scoresheet, with tricky winger Willis firing home a brace to round off proceedings at the County Ground in Leyland.

GALLERY: WOMEN WIN COUNTY CUP - Gallery Photo 5

Interim head coach Jay Bradford made two changes to the side from the 7-2 victory in the league away at Stoke City on Easter Sunday. Lucia Molinari returned from the start in place of Georgia Marshall and Olivia Greenhalgh was in the 11 to replace Lara Miller. Lucy Farrell meanwhile continued in goal.

First Half

Burnley were almost in front within three minutes of the final as Evie Priestley latched onto Leah Embley’s cross, beating Darwen goalkeeper Taylor Gregson to the ball before seeing her shot hooked off the line by Maxine Smith.

A couple of half chances followed at both ends, as Maddy McKenna shot straight at Clarets shot stopper Lucy Farrell and Sarah Greenhalgh diverted Lizzie Hamer’s low shot over the bar from close range.

GREENHALGH LOOKING FORWARD TO BOWING OUT IN STYLE - Image 1

Free-scoring Ravening then made it two on 17 minutes when she cut inside the Salmoners defence to curl into the top corner, and the midfielder made it a brace 10 minutes later with an exquisite volley to convert Sarah Greenhalgh’s own cross from the right wing.

Striker Greenhalgh’s brace came soon after in a reverse of roles from the previous goal as Ravening turned provider with a through ball to the forward who calmly slotted home.

Completing a stellar opening 45 minutes, Ravening then completed her treble from 12 yards out with a penalty after a clear foul inside the area by a Darwen defender saw the referee point to the spot.

Second Half

The Salmoners had the first chance of the second half as McKenna shot tamely at Farrell, before Burnley went up the other end and hat-trick chasing Greenhalgh saw a header held by Gregson.

The forward would eventually complete her treble with 25 minutes to go, as she controlled the ball well to tee herself up and volley into the back of the net with a powerful strike.

GALLERY: WOMEN WIN COUNTY CUP - Gallery Photo 19

Substitute Willis added to the seemingly ever-growing scoreline when Hamer slotted her through on goal as she placed through Gregson's legs one-on-one, while fellow substitute Kelly got in on the act moments later.

With the latest in a series of fine finishes, the young forward - in a matchday squad for the first time since November - curled home into the top corner with an inch-perfect effort from the edge of the area.

Completing the rout three minutes from time, Willis made it a brace as she picked up a loose pass from a Salmoners defender inside their own area, and beat her marker one-on-one to fire low past a helpless Gregson, picking the ball out of the back of the net for a ninth time.

Burnley are back in league action this Sunday – 16th April – when they travel to The Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion (2pm KO).

Burnley: Farrell, Cooper, Taylor, Walsh, Molinari, O Greenhalgh, Embley (Coleman-Evans '58), Ravening (Kelly '58), Hamer, Priestley (Willis '58), S Greenhalgh

Unused Sub: Bracewell

Darwen: Gregson, Johnson, Duckworth, Smith, Mallen, McKenna, Flynn, Wood, Ratcliffe-Garth, Smith, Hislop

Subs: Wallace, Hartley, Johnson, Caldecott

Goals: S Greenhalgh, '14, '39 & '65, Ravening '17, '27 & '43, Willis, '69 & '87, Kelly, '71