WOMEN’S LFA SENIOR CUP REPORT: AFC FYLDE 2-4 BURNLEY

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Claret Women into last four of county cup after last-gasp win against Coasters

2022-11-20T17:29:47.631Z

WOMEN’S LFA SENIOR CUP REPORT: AFC FYLDE 2-4 BURNLEY

Claret Women into last four of county cup after last-gasp win against Coasters

2022-11-20T17:29:47.631Z

Burnley FC Women progressed into the semi-finals of the newly-formed Lancashire FA Women’s Senior Cup with a dramatic 4-2 win away against AFC Fylde Women on a sodden afternoon at Kellamergh Park.

Midfielder Millie Ravening popped up with two almost identical headers late on to put the Claret Women’s name into the hat for the last four of the county cup, with Evie Priestley and Ellie York – who netted her first goal for the Club – also on target in the first half.

Boss Jonathan Morgan made eight changes to his starting 11 from last weekend’s 9-0 thumping win at Tranmere Rovers Women which came in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.

The three to keep their places were eventual matchwinner Ravening, alongside Ellie May & Leah Embley.

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Fylde meanwhile, who also play in the Northern Premier Division of the FA Women’s National League and were beaten 4-1 by Burnley in the LFA Women’s Challenge Cup final last term, had player-manager Dannielle Young on the bench.

First Half

An action-packed first 45 minutes began quiet, but the hosts took the lead with virtually the first shot of the game eight minutes in when Amy Hughes struck home after a neat passage of play down the left.

Just three minutes later though, striker Priestley levelled proceedings when she volleyed home May’s corner which Coasters goalkeeper Grace Pomfret had spilled.

And after Lauren Bracewell had held an effort from Emily Hollinshead, Burnley made it 2-1 courtesy of a pinpoint shot from fullback York. Another corner delivery from the same side caused issues, and when the ball fell to the summer signing, she curled into the top corner.

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Embley was then denied by Pomfret, while May’s strike bounced just wide, before the hosts found a leveller via Hughes who poked home on the stretch from close range.

Faye McCoy would also fire an effort over the bar on the turn for Young’s side before the break, with the two sides heading in level.

Second Half

Getting back on the front foot at the restart, Embley had the better of marker Laura Merrin down the right wing on numerous occasions, but both May and the winger were denied in quick succession.

Driving rain continued throughout at Kellamergh Park, and the Claret Women continued their pursuit of a winner as Emma Taylor’s header from May’s free-kick went the wrong side of the post.

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At the other end, Bracewell had to react well to deny Hollinshead one-on-one while substitute Courtney Willis almost caught Pomfret out with a header from a corner, but the ‘keeper gathered after initially fumbling.

Sarah Greenhalgh was also introduced, and she almost had an instant impact but fired over from close range after good work down the left from Willis.

The goal to make it 3-2 eventually came on 88 minutes as Ravening glanced a cross into the middle past Pomfret and into the back of the net, sparking scenes of jubilation from those who had made the trip across Lancashire.

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And with the hosts thereafter pushing bodies forward, Burnley took advantage in the third minute of time added on, breaking forward and seeing Ravening head home oncemore with Pomfret unable to keep out her header along a sodden surface.

One of West Didsbury & Chorlton Women, Darwen FC Ladies and Blackburn Community Sports Club Women now await in the last four, with the draw yet to be made.

Morgan’s side next return to action away at Cheadle Town Stingers in the Second Round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, 27th November (1pm KO).

Burnley: Bracewell ©, York (Willis ’65), Taylor, Walsh, Cooper, Kinzett, Ravening, Hamer, Embley, Priestley (S Greenhalgh ’80), May

Unused Subs: Farrell, Fleck, O Greenhalgh

Fylde: Pomfret, Fryer, Carroll, Taylor, Merrin, Forster ©, Rowe, Fields, Hollinshead (Binks ’72), McCoy, Hughes

Unused Subs: Hunter, Young, Hignett, Whitaker

Goals: Hughes, ‘8 & ‘36, Priestley, ’11, York, ‘23, Ravening, ’88 & ‘90+3