WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 0-2 DERBY COUNTY

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

2023/24 season ends in defeat

2024-05-05T16:32:41.259Z

WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 0-2 DERBY COUNTY

2023/24 season ends in defeat

2024-05-05T16:32:41.259Z

2023/24 season ends in defeat

A goal either side of halftime saw Derby County earn a final day victory over Burnley Women at Turf Moor on Sunday afternoon.

Despite the result, the Clarets are left to reflect on a season of progression as they claim their highest ever third tier finish.

There were five changes from the side that won the Lancashire FA Women’s Senior Cup last time out, with Emma Siddall and Naomi Hartley coming into defence.

Monique Robinson partnered Brenna McPartlan in centre midfield, with Aimee Kelly playing on the left of the front three behind striker Laura Elford.

Burnley looked to utilise the flanks from the off, with Rhema Lord-Mears continually turning the Derby defence with long passes in behind for Kelly and Leah Embley.

The Ewes stood firm, though, and took the lead in the 24th minute when Dolcie O’Connor’s shot from range took a significant deflection to beat Lucy Farrell.

WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT: BURNLEY 0-2 DERBY COUNTY - Image 1

Lord-Mears almost produced an immediate reply but was denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Anna Draper.

Kelly later found the side netting from a pinpoint Embley cross but the Clarets trailed at the break.

Derby’s top scorer Amy Sims doubled their lead from the edge of the area 10 minutes after the restart and that kicked Burnley into life.

After lifelong Claret Hartley headed narrowly wide, McPartlan did the same and Kelly worked Draper with a powerful effort in a busy five-minute spell.

Head Coach Rebecca Sawiuk looked to her bench for reinforcements, with Bella Reidford, Lizzy Hamer and Ginny Lackey all introduced.

Siddall was next to test Draper and after Amaya replaced Kelly Burnley had two late chances with Hamer rattling the bar and Elford firing wide.

Despite their best efforts a goal wasn’t forthcoming and Burnley finish the Northern Premier Division of the Women’s National League season in 2nd place with 48 points from their 22 matches.

Burnley: Farrell, McPartlan, Marshall, Embley, Elford, Lord-Mears (Lackey 68), Hartley (Wildgoose 88), Wilkes (Hamer 64), Kelly (Amaya 77), Siddall, Robinson (Reidford 57)

Derby County: Draper, Sims, Steggles, Wilson, Joyce, Ward, Ashton, Jenkins, Meadows, Towers, O’Connor

Subs: Rai, Rhodes-Andrews, Sheridan, Shepherd

Goals: O’Connor 24’, Sims 55’