WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: AFC FYLDE 0-5 BURNLEY

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Clarets see off Coasters in Lancashire FA Senior Cup

2025-01-19T18:32:48.125Z

WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: AFC FYLDE 0-5 BURNLEY

Clarets see off Coasters in Lancashire FA Senior Cup

2025-01-19T18:32:48.125Z

Clarets see off Coasters in Lancashire FA Senior Cup

Claudia Walker scored twice as part of an emphatic 5-0 victory that booked Burnley’s place in the final of the Lancashire FA Women’s Senior Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Her two first-half strikes came either side of a well-placed finish from Grace Palmer, before Heidi Logan and Laura Elford netted late on a comfortable but bitterly cold afternoon at Kellamergh Park.

There were four changes to the side that started last week’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest, with Naoisha McAloon given the chance to play in goal.

Two tweaks to the defence saw Charley Docherty start at right-back and club captain Jade Richards step in at centre-back for her first appearance since the middle of October.

Further forwards, Brenna McPartlan took her place alongside Amelia Hazard in the centre of the midfield.

WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: AFC FYLDE 0-5 BURNLEY - Image 1

The Clarets looked determined to cause damage from the off and Walker smacked the right-hand post within five minutes, before breaking the deadlock on 10.

After a Kelly effort was blocked into her path by a Fylde defender, the number nine reacted sharply to control with her chest and finish into the corner.

The woodwork denied Walker again shortly before Burnley doubled their lead, this time through Palmer.

Logan, who looked threatening down the right throughout, crossed for Palmer to take a touch and finish well for her third goal of the season with a Fylde defender in close proximity.

Richards made way for Naomi Hartley in planned change just after the 20-minute mark, with the defender managing her minutes in a phased return to action.

Rebecca Sawiuk’s side dominated the ball for the rest of the first half and it was Logan who came closest to adding a third goal, but her effort was smothered by on-rushing ‘keeper Skye Kirkham.

WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: AFC FYLDE 0-5 BURNLEY - Image 2

Both teams made a change at half-time, with Rhema Lord-Mears replacing goal scorer Palmer and Megan Hunter taking Kirkham’s place in the Fylde goal.

It didn’t take long for Hunter to be called into action, with the ‘keeper producing a fine reactionary save to meet McPartlan’s powerful header.

Walker was next to work Hunter, taking a touch to get the ball out of her feet before curling the ball towards the top right corner from the edge of the box. Again, though, Fylde’s ‘keeper stood firm.

Sawiuk then turned to her bench twice in four minutes, with Anna Grey replacing Aimee Kelly on the left wing before Hazard made way for Bella Reidford.

Grey almost had an immediate impact but her goal bound effort was thwarted at the near post shortly before Walker put the result beyond doubt with her second and the team’s third of the day.

A short corner eventually found Lord-Mears, whose floated cross was met on the volley and expertly finished into the bottom left corner by Walker for her fifth goal of the season.

WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: AFC FYLDE 0-5 BURNLEY - Image 3

After Walker made way for Elford in the 81st minute Logan looked intent on adding her name to the scoresheet, firing a presentable close-range chance powerfully over and placing another one wide.

That goal did come four minutes from time when she was slipped through by Elford and confidently rounded the goalkeeper to tap in.

The Clarets weren’t done yet, though, and top scorer Elford got in on the act in the third minute of stoppage time with her 19th goal in 18 appearances.

Sawiuk’s side are next in action on Sunday 26th January when Stourbridge visit the County Ground, Leyland, in the Northern Premier Division of the Women’s National League.

Burnley: McAloon, Docherty, McPartlan, Marshall, Logan, Walker (Elford 81), Palmer (Lord-Mears 46), Richards (Hartley 21), Hazard (Reidford 62), Wilkes, Kelly (Grey 58)

Unused Substitutes: Levell, Blades

AFC Fylde: Kirkham (Hunter 46), Tindall, Hyland (Dale 61), Dunion, Borrowdale, Kelsh-Ridge, Chan (Carabott 76), Duffell, Bowers-Folan, Devereaux (Rogers 76), James

Unused Substitutes: Whitaker

Goals: Walker 10’, 65’, Palmer 17’, Logan 86’, Elford 90+3